it? What season ought the wood to be cut? or piling HORTICULTURAL AND BOTANICAL. A Partner Wanted, Hops-A remarkable change took place in Hops last week; the new advanced 25 to 30s. per cwt. Old Hops were 5 to 10s. higher. The duty formerly estimated at Who can command a capital which he would be wil130,000l. fell to 75,000 and 80,000l. yesterday, and today the accounts from the Hop plantations are more fa-ling to invest in establishing a Horticultural and Botanical Garden at Baltimore. He may now have an opvourable, the heavy rains having in a great measure secur-swept off the fly. Previously the accounts had been most alarming, the plantations being covered with vermin. What is the best manner of collecting and ing the ashes? and what the means employed? What the number, size and form of the kettles and other necessaries required, for a definite number of labourers-say ten? If the kettles be set in furnaces, what the proper arrangement for them? Give the whole process of boiling, setting, &c. The requisite buildings, &c. Lastly-Can the manufacture of potash from the beach wood be profitably and unremitedly pursued, where there is no want of the materials within a C. E. square mile? LATEST FROM EUROPE. Cotton is firm-The purchases are not extensive, ow- LIVERPOOL, May 29.-Ashes, U. S. Pot, 31 a 32s.; do. 6d. a 1s. 8. LIVERPOOL, May 30.-Sales of Cotton for the week Corn Exchange, Liverpool May, 26.-Holders of wheat MANUFACTORY OF AGRICULTURAL portunity of forming a connection with a person capa- BALTIMORE PRICES CURRENT. The Inspection of Tobacco the last two weeks, 255 hhds. Maryland, 155 hhds. Kentucky, 97 Ohio, 2 Virginia, and 2 Pennsylvania-total, 511 hhds. The demand the week past has been very limited. TOBACCO.--Scrubs, $3.00 a 6.00-ordinary, 2.00 a 3.00 -red, 3.00 a 5.00-fine red, 5.00 a 7.00-wrapping, 6.00 a 10.00-Ohio ordinary, 3.00 a 4.00- good red spangled, 5.00 a 6.00-yellow, 6.00 a 9.00-fine yellow, 10.00 a 20.00-Virginia, 2.50 a 8.00-Rapahannock 2.75 a 3.50 Kentucky, 3.00 a 5.00. The British ministry has undergone another change, or we might rather say another dissolution. Ever since the retirement of Lord Liverpool, the cabinet seems to have been composed of discordant and uncongenial elements, which required nothing less than the genius of Mr. Canning to hold them together. Mr. Huskisson has retired, and with him Mr. Lamb, Lord Palmerston, Mr. Grant, and Earl The subscriber is just finishing a quantity of Wheat Dudley, have resigned their places. The retirement of Mr. Huskisson was owing to the vote he felt chasers, and will be warranted superior. Also, on Fans, which he is sure will give satisfaction to the purbound to give against Mr. Peel's bill for the disfran-hand, a full assortment of Davis' Improved Pateni chisement of the delinquent borough of East Rit-Ploughs, of wrought and cast Shares; likewise of the ford. Mr. Huskisson, was in favor of the transfer- Improved Barshare Ploughs; Brown's Vertical Woolgia, .9.104 WHISKEY, hhds. 1st proof, 21 a .214-bbls. ence of the franchise of this borough to Birming- Spinners; Patent Cylindrical Straw Cutter, and most ham, in order that the populous commercial town other Implements of husbandry on hand as usual. might be entitled to a member of Parliament. On giving his vote he wrote a letter to the Duke of Wellington, stating the reason which had induced him to vote in the minority, and adding that "if his continu FLOUR-white wheat family, $6.00 a 6.50-superfine Howard-st. 4.624 a 4.75; city mills, 4.374 a 4.50; Susquehanna, 4.374 a 4.50-CORN MEAL, bbl. 2.50--GRAIN, best red wheat.80 a .85-best white wheat, .90 a 1.05-ordiIM-nary to good, 75a.80--CORN, .36 a .38-RYE, .45—OATS, 20 a .22-BEANS, .90 a 1.10-PEAS, .40 a .50-CLOVER SEED, 3.50 a 3.75-TIMOTHY, 1.50 a 2.25-Orchard GRASS SEED, 2.25 a 3-Herd's 1.00 a 1.50-Lucerne 374 a 50 pr. lb-BARLEY, .60 a 62-FLAXSEED,.75 a.80-CUTTON, Va. .9 a.11-Lou. .13 a 14-Alabama, .11 a.12— Mississippi.10 a 13-North Carolina, .10 a .11-Geor.23 a.24--WOOL, common, unwashed, .15 a. 16-washed, .18 a .20-crossed, .20 a 22-three-quarter, .25 a .30-full do. .30 a 50, accord'g to qual.-HEMP, Russia, ton, $220--Country, dew-rotted, ton, 136 a 140-waterrotted, 170 a 190-FISH, Shad, Susquehanna, No. 1, bbl. N. B. For sale, a quantity of Turnip and Millet Seed,5 75; do. trimmed, 6.50--North Carolina, No 1, 6.25 which will be warranted of good quality, and at low prices. JONATHAN S. EASTMAN, July 18. AN ENGLISH AGRICULTURIST, a 6.50-Herrings, No. 1, bbl. 2.874 a 3.00, No. 2, 2.25 ance in office should be felt as an embarrassment to a 2.50-Mackerel, No. 1, 6.25 a 6.50; No. 2, 6.00; No. 3, the Administration, he was ready to resign." The 3.50 a 3.75-BACON, hams, Balt. cured, .10; do. Eastern Shore, 12-hog round, cured, .8 a .9-Feathers, .26 a Duke chose to consider this as a formal resignation, At present in Baltimore, is desirous to invest 25,000.28-Plaster Paris, cargo price per ton, $3.371⁄2 a 3.50— and laid it as such before the King. Afterwards, acdollars at a price according with the times, in an impro-ground, 1.25 bbl. cording to the Morning Chronicle, Mr. Huskisson ved and improvable estate, situate in a healthy and de- "ales of corn yesterday at 36 cts. in store, 374 cts. endeavored to explain to the Duke that he intended sirable part of the western shore of Maryland or Virgi- afloat-quality good-in demand. to make his resignation depend solely upon the viewnia, removed from tide water, with facilities for the which his Grace thought proper to take of the pro transfer of its produce at an easy rate to a good market. MARKETING-Butter, per lb. .12 a 25; Eggs, dozen priety of his remaining in the Cabinet. The Colo- The improvements must consist of a good dwelling.16; Potatoes, bush. .75; Chickens, dozen, 2.50 a 3.00; nial Secretary was told in reply, that he had resign-House, with suitable offices, Barns, Stabling, negro Beef prime pieces, lb. .8 a.10; Veal, .8; Mutton, .61 a .7; ed, but that if he would withdraw his letter the sub-Houses, Orcharding, Gardens, &c. It must be well wa- Pork, 4.50 a 5.00; young Ducks, doz. 2.50 a 3.00; young sequent proceedings should be considered as not ha-tered, and contain meadow and pasture land sufficient to Lambs, dressed, 1.15 a 2.00; do. Pigs, do. .75 a 874; prime maintain a large stock of sheep and cattle If a por-Beef on the hoof, 5.50 a 6.00; Sausages, per lb. S a .10; ving taken place. This proposal was declined, and tion of the estate consist of high lands unfit for cultiva Currants, do. .124; Soft Crabs, doz. 1.50; Hard do. 124 the retirement of Mr. Huskisson was accordingly tion it will be no objection, provided they are furnished followed by that of his colleagues, the liberal with good timber. it must be proved to the satisfacmembers of the Adininistration. The withdrawing tion of the purchaser, that the lands under cultivation, of a man of Mr Huskisson's talents, acquaintance have not been exhausted by improvident cropping, and with business and enlightened views, must be an im- that the crops grown thereon are of the first quality.mense loss to the Cabinet and to the nation. The The advertiser will prefer entering upon an estate alLondon Courier, however, declares that it will make ready stocked, with negroes sufficient for its cultivation, taking the live and dead stock thereon if approved no change in the policy of the Cabinet. It is rumoured that Mr. Huskisson will be succeeded by Sir George Murray, and that Lord Wallace, Mr. T. Lewis, Mr. Calcraft and Lord Aberdeen, will be offered places in the ministry. There were also rumours that Sir Henry Hardinge and Mr. Fiztgerald had been named as successors to Lord Palmerston, as Paymaster of the Army. COMMERCIAL RECORD. LONDON, May 28. Tobacco-The sales of Tobacco are chiefly for the town trade, only 60 or 70 hhds. being taken for shipping, all Virginia and Maryland At a public sale of 97 hhds. Maryland, chiefly yellow, 40 hhds. sold to the trade at 3 to 34d. Turpentine-2,200 bbls. were offered yesterday for public sale, and taken in at 11s. 9d. Apply by letter, post paid, addressed for J. B. at the of fice of the American Farmer. July 18. a 184. HAY, per ton, $7.50 a 8.00; Rye Straw, 5.00; Cut Grass, per bundle, .10 a.124. CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER. Raw Potatoes, bad for Milch Cows-Douglas' Threshing Machine-Family Spinner-Premium offered of $100, by Massachusetts Agricultural Society, for best Butter-On Wheel Carriages Extracts from the Manu al on the Culture and Manufacture of Silk, with remarks and notes, and an engraving of a Silk Reel-Preservation of Peach Trees-Plums - Letter from Dr. S. L. Mitchell to Wm. Prince on his Treatise on HorticulBal-ture-To Horticulturists-The Process of making Castor Oil-Mr Parmentier's Horticultural and Flower Garden on Long island-Fourth of July in Washington, commencement of the Canal and President Adams' Address on breaking the ground-On Buying Bargains CATTLE FOR SALE. I paid for Dorcas and Ruler, when calves, $250 in Pedigrees of Thorough bred Horses, continued-Editorial, Extract of a letter from Mr Jacobs, of London -Prince's Gooseberries-Foreign Intelligence-Commercial Record-Advertisements-Prices Current. Printed every Friday, at Five Dollars per annum, for JOHN S. SKINNER, Editor. by JOHN D. Toy, corner of St Paul and Market-sts., where every description of printing is neatly executed. AGRICULTURE. SHEEP AND WOOL. "As an object of national attention, the coat of the sheep is of the first importance; and every wilful attempt to supplant or debase it, is an act of treason against the state." MARSHALL. invest. There are various stocks, and varieties of successively introduced into different parts of the funds, and property without number, from which to civilized world. We must satisfy ourselves with choose-but instead of carefully informing himself mentioning some circumstances, which appear to of that which is most profitable and most stable, he have had a considerable influence in promoting its buys or employs another to buy at random, and improvement, hoping that some literary gentleman chooses that which is not of stable constitution, nor will, at a future time, condense the information likely long to be in demand in the market. When which is scattered through the ancient writings, the interest accrues, instead of drawing and reinvest- and gratify the public curiosity upon a subject so [In a late number of the American Farmer, we ing it, that it may go on increasing and multiplying, interesting. stated it to be our wish, in the course of this vo- heffers it to lie in a state of barrenness, and at "The laniferous* animals were very early diffused lume, to lay before our readers such suggestions and last loses the whole by his own indolence, or the over the western parts of Asia; the time when they information on the subject of sheep and wool, as might roguery or misfortune of his agents: would he not were introduced into Europe, is too remote to come appear best calculated to enlighten, and thereby be called the most foolish and improvident of men? within the range of authentic history. At first prorender more profitable, the labour and capital of and is it not so with the farmer who invests or holds bably they were domesticated for the sake of their those who are employing, or may be disposed to a certain sum in sheep or cattle, or horses, ill adapt- milk, the common nutriment even now of most pasemploy, a portion of their time and industry in the ed to the purposes of his farm, paying no attention toral nations. But this was not long the sole obcultivation of these resources. The reader must to, or choosing the worst for his stock sheep? or ject of their owner's care, for he soon found that not, however, suppose it to be our purpose to collect going for meat, when according to the distance from their skins also were capable of contributing very facts and observations adapted only to the case of market, the state of the market, the policy of the materially to his comfort, especially in damp situathose who propose to go very largely into the wool laws, &c. he ought to keep an eye on the fleece!tions and mountainous countries. In this state of growing business, as a leading and almost exclusive Every head of domestic animals, every fowl, every society, sheep and goats appear to have been pursuit: from the entertainment of such a design fruit tree, every square of vegetables, every pound thought of nearly equal value; and, if there was we should be withheld by various considerations. of butter, every implement of husbandry the far- any preference, it was given to the latter animal. In the first place, there are too few of the subscri- mer owns, he should consider as so much money; "Perhaps the amelioration of the fleece, like the bers to this paper, to whom facts and observations on and it should be his constant care to have all of the improvements of mankind in most of the useful such a subject would apply; neither are we prepared best and most suitable kind and quality, to the end arts, was less the result of design than of accident; to encourage large speculations in that way. It does that, like money in the stocks, they may yield him the and if the Argali were really the parent of the do not appear to us that the circumstances and common highest dividend. The question, let us repeat it, is, mestic sheep, it must have advanced considerably courses of agriculture in this country render it safe do our agricultural friends consider every thing they before we have a particular account of its changes. for men of large or small capital, to rely in any hold in that light, and act with strict and invaria- The first flock, which is minutely described, was great or exclusive degree upon a branch of hus- ble reference to that consideration? If they do found about seventeen hundred and sixty years bebandry so precarious, as, on many accounts, the not, then will it be admitted that what has been fore the Christian era, in Mesopotamia, or that growing of wool seems yet to be in America. But said is not uncalled for; and if they do, they will be part of Persia which lies between the rivers Euthe consideration which prompts us to seek, and to glad to receive hints from any quarter that may phrates and Tigris. It was perfectly domesticated, propagate information on sheep husbandry general-enable them to improve and make more profitable, consisting both of goats and sheep, the former of ly, is the undeniable fact, that almost every land- even the smallest of their investments-and for the which were black, and the latter a brown colour; a holding subscriber to this journal does keep a cer-present we return to SHEEP and woeL. circumstance which proves that it had undergone tain number of sheep; and the question is, whether Our extracts will be taken, in the first instance, less alteration than might have been expected.the capital, be it much or little, which he has invest- chiefly from "Luccock's Essay on Wool."] The state of the flock excited no surprise in the ed in sheep stock, shall be used in a way to make it "When we recollect the number of succeeding mind of a traveller, who had gone thither from Syyield the highest attainable profit. We do not mean ages through which this valuable material has been ria, which it probably would have done, had it not to discuss the effects of the tariff on the interests of applied to some of the prime conveniences of life, been familiar to him in his own country; and apwool growers, though we shall be glad to have practi- and the immense number of persons who have made pears to intimate that black and brown were the cal illustrations of that question from those who will it an object of their regard, we are almost induced usual colours of these animals throughout the exfavour us with facts and their deductions from them. to believe that it must already be produced in its tent of both these countries. In his native land, What we propose is, to exhort those who do keep, most perfect state, that its general properties must moreover, he had superintended the descendants of or who may intend to keep a certain number of be universally understood, and that the most ready flocks and of herds, which about a hundred and fifsheep, whether small or large, to select such as are means of rendering them useful, have been every ty years before, were brought out of Egypt; and if best adapted to the peculiar circumstances of their where adopted. But when we notice the state of these continued to be of a dark and dingy hue, it own case, and to ascertain and practise the surest "wool bearing animals, either in our own country, is more than probable that their progenitors were of methods of modifying and improving them in the or as they exist among foreigners, we are compelled no other colour, and that the flocks of the then best manner, and to the highest degree, whether in to form a very different opinion; and the improve-known world, were, in this respect, nearly similar. reference to carcass or fleece, as the case may be. ments which have been adopted in almost every During his residence in a foreign land, he continuLet it not be said that such an exhortation con- branch of the woollen manufactory, at different ed the profession of a shepherd, and produced little veys reproach, as it implies a carelessness and inat periods of its history, serve to convince us that or no alteration in the colour of his fleeces for the tention on the part of those for whom it is intended, there is still much to be attained, even by nations space of fourteen years. At the end of this term, that no farmer of common sense could be guilty of. who have most reason to boast of their superior the capricious temper of his master induced one to Of all ungracious things, none is said to be more proficiency." offer, and the other to accept, as the reward of conso than giving advice; and that of which we stand "Some of the remarks, which he has met with tinued service, that portion of the flocks which had most in need is not always the least offensive. But and adopted, were new to him; many have been any white in them, and those lambs and kids which we will run the risk of consequences, for the sake confirmed by his own observation, in almost every should be produced with a mottled coat, whether of bringing every farmer to reflect whether the sub-district in England, and through the course of se- their dams were like themselves, or of one uniform ject in hand has had bestowed upon it the degree veral years attention to his occupation as a wool-colour. As a skilful breeder, he took proper meaof inquiry and consideration and care which is due stapler. The deductions which he has made, he sures to produce a ring streaked and spotted race; to the smallest of his affairs? Suppose his flock to trusts, will be authorized by the premises from while as one determined to enrich himself, he conbe small-say 100, or 50, or even 20, does it follow which they are drawn, and though they cannot al- cealed the superiority of his knowledge, and the that they should be left without care, becoming, from ways be supposed to arrive at the certainty of de- means which he adopted. From this apparently year to year, more diminutive and ragged? The monstration, yet he hopes that they will always ap- trivial circumstance, arose that entire change in the best being always chosen for the knife, and leaving proximate to truth." breed of the flocks, which was first witnessed in the worst to keep up the flock! Is it not worth his re- "Certain it is, however, that the amelioration the eastern world, and which is known to have estagard, merely as a matter of amusement and humani- of the flocks has always been closely connected blished itself, at successive periods, in the western. ty, to keep them in good health by proper food and with the progress of the arts, and of civilization; It was not owing to the demands of manufactures, shelter, and to see them constantly meliorating under for we uniformly find, in countries where these nor even to the volatility of taste; but is one of skilful management? And must it not be admitted, have flourished, a race of sheep which yield wool those numerous circumstances in human affairs, that the smaller the flock, the greater the reproach, much superior to that which we find all around if they display not the highest qualities of which they them." are susceptible? Explanatory of the light in which the neglect of the farmer in the small items, of his concerns ought to be viewed, we will suppose the case of a merchant who has one hundred dollars to No. 19.-Vol. 10. "To trace all the alterations which the substance has undergone, is in this age utterly impossible, nor does my acquaintance with ancient history permit me to be positive as to the period when they were which history often hints at, but never pursues, although they are found to have an influence upon all succeeding generations. "This new variety of flocks soon established itself [* Wool-bearing.] in the country where it was produced, and gradu- loses much both in quantity and substance by an I make no doubt, sir, but that immense tracts of ally diffused itself southwards, as far as the desart exposure to the sun in curing it, and fodder more, our best lands are thus exposed, elsewhere, besides of Arabia, so that in the space of three hundred being thus exposed in small bundles. Both, and on the Albemarle, and that many have succeeded years, its whiteness had become proverbial. Indeed, particularly the last, suffer greatly by dews and in arresting the evil. Let me beg of them to comthe colour of the fleece must have been particularly rains. This year I have made the most promising municate through your valuable paper to the public attended to, and have attained a high degree of ex- experiment for remedying these evils. A large all their plans. I am, sir, exposed on one side to a cellency, for a devout poet of that age, in the sub-meadow in bottom land, of a grass called red-top scope of forty odd miles, and on the other at the limity of his description, compares it to the snow; or herd's-grass, was cut in dry weather, and shock-mouth of a wide river, (24 miles,) where the waves and an amorous one, shortly afterwards, asserts ed in large shocks quite green, but dry; that is, not appear from their sudden confinement to be more that the teeth of his swarthy mistress were like a wet with either dew or rain, in the following mode. destructive. flock of sheep new from the washing; and although Four sticks of five feet long, of the thickness of a in these cases we may be disposed to make allow-man's wrist or more, were set up in a square of two ance for the fancy of the poet, and the strength of feet wide at bottom, and meeting at top in a pyraeastern comparisons, yet we cannot but suppose midal form, where the shock was to stand. One at that the beauty of the fleece gave some propriety least of these sticks should be forked at top, to keep to the simile, and delicacy to the compliment. In them steady whilst the hay is putting round them. the desart, where people were less associated, and A round log, about six feet long and six inches in the influence of wealth and taste less prevalent, the diameter, was laid upon the ground, with one end sheep perhaps retained their original colour for reaching to the centre of the two feet square, benearly five centuries longer. Another striking in-tween the sticks, and the other raised upon a fork stance of the slow progress of agricultural improve- about eighteen inches, for the purposes of enlarg-tremely disagreeable; and to avoid it I sometimes ments, especially among people who adopt a wan-ing the flue presently mentioned, lest it should be dering and unsettled mode of life. This alteration in the colour of wool evidently took the line of the richest soils, and spread its influence most readily through countries where the arts of husbandry had made the greatest progress, but seldom passed their boundaries. From Persia, descending the Euphrates, and passing over the richer countries of Syria, it reached the borders of the Nile. But it is unreasonable to suppose, that it proceeded only in that direction. If it extended itself northward, ascended the river, it must soon have reached the banks of the Phasis, and have been spread through the old kingdom of Colchis. In later ages, as we have already conjectured, it passed from thence into Greece. Here, and in its vicinity, our crops of wheat have been entirely cut off by the rust, (presumed from the warm winter,) but the corn promises a tolerable crop. Your most obed't serv't, JOHN H. JACOCKS. (From Bordley's Husbandry.) In selling veal to butchers their haggling was ex either at once broke off, or gave up to their offers. A veal alive weighed 146 lb. which is within 3lb. of half the live weight: At 3d. live weight, this veal would cost them 56s. 6d; but, for such, they used to give me 32s. to 35s. on the foot. The first sold by live weight were 4 veals; medium live weight, 1931, which averaged 33s. 2d. a veal. They usually sold at 7d. scarcely any part under 6d. sometimes 7 and 8d. Their gain was above 40 per cent. Lord Kaims says, butchers gain but 5 per cent. in Scotland. They disliked the method by live weight; because of the certainty reducing usual profits, gained from their superior skill in estimating the weight and value of veals. HAMS. closed by the pressure of the hay, and that the log may be more easily drawn out, when the shock is finished. Around and over the sticks, the shock was made, its top reaching two or three feet above the top of the sticks. The purpose of the log, was to make a flue for the admission of fresh air into the centre of the shock, and the expulsion of the air heated by the fermentation of the grass in curing. The flues were made to face the point from which the wind usually blows at the time of hay making. If any flues happened to be closed by the pressure of the grass, they were easily opened by a smaller and pointed log; or, when the largeness of a shock threatened this inconvenience, it was effectually prevented by inserting into the flue a short "When it was found possible to procure a white forked stick as soon as the log was removed, to hold kind of wool, the taste of the world appears to have up the hay. As the logs are removed as soon as been favourable to its production; otherwise it must the shock is finished, two or three are sufficient for soon have degenerated to its primitive colour. How following a dozen of mowers. The hay thus made it comes to pass that this taste existed, and even is the best I ever saw, and the efficacy of the mode continues to display itself in most nations where of curing it, was strongly supported, by the growwool is produced in any shape, we have no need to ing grass under the shocks having been uninjured; inquire; the fact is sufficiently obvious, and cer- whereas I never left shocks so long in one spot tainly had some influence in promoting its culture, before, without its having been killed by the un-1789. both in the earlier and later stages. And when we dissipated fermentation of the hay in curing. Corn investigate the causes which have contributed to the blades or fodder, sustain an immense loss, even in improvement of our flocks, we ought not entirely dry weather, by two or three days exposure to the to overlook it. The superior cheerfulness which sun and dews; and in wet they are nearly ruined. sheep and goats, with white fleeces, communicate For an experiment, I shocked them in the mode to rural scenery; the cleanliness which wool of that just explained, quite green and dry; but I chiefly description is calculated to promote, when used as allowed them from four to eight hours sun, before an article of furniture or dress; and, above all, the they were shocked. Thus was made the best fodgreater variety and vividness of the artificial tints der I have seen. But the weather was favourable. with which it may be embued, which always grati-The ends of the blades were laid outwards, and the fies the taste for gaudy trappings, so common among shocks bound at top by a rope made of the blades. the ruder nations, have doubtless conspired, in some good measure, to render it more valuable than that, which was remarkable only for its brown and dusky appearance." [Taylor's Arator. A Mr. TO PREVENT RIVER BANKS WASHING. [The first extracts from the able essay of the auStevenson's Point, Perquiman's Co., N. C. J. S. SKINNER, ESQ. S thor in hand, are, it is true, of not much practical July 5, 1828. bearing; but that is to be expected in the introducSir,-Some years since I addressed you; and retion to an elaborate treatise on a subject of great quested information upon the subject of the washnational importance, and is amply compensated for ing of the banks of wide water courses. here by the beauty of the language and the histori-Martin, of Tennessee, communicated his ideas upon cal information imparted. In the next number we the subject, and recommended the cane; but as it shall commence with what is more practical; expla- count of the rapid inroads, (time being necessary is impossible to rear it upon the waters here on acnatory of the causes which act immediately on the fleece.] for its growth,) I have no dependence upon it in the first instance, and perhaps not at all, as our hogs and cattle I expect would destroy it. Indeed, sir, Great losses are annually sustained in some parts where a coarse kind of water grass, (very much reof the United States in making hay, and in others, sembling the wire grass,) has for a twelve month in curing corn blades, commonly called fodder. taken possession, even of a slope, one of our high Mine, in a course of many years, have, I think, amounted to a moiety of the crops; and most of the expedients I have resorted to for avoiding these losses, have been but partially beneficial. Grass HAY AND FODDER. winds will rout it in a few hours, and make the 1788. Dec. 2-20 of my family lb. June 30--They weighed, lb. 821 or each 16 6-10 256 12-810 The loss of weight 204 p. cent, or about 1-5th. Dec. Aug. Evaporations 22. A tenant's hams; two 5 or 16 p. cent. The tenant's were not so much smoked or dried, as he cured them for sale and to weigh. MR. EDITOR, HORTICULTURE. PLUMS. Your correspondent, "H. B., of Dayton, Ohio," has, by his remarks on the protection of peach trees, conferred a favour upon all the admirers of that the enemy is, has been observed to perforate and fine fruit. As the wasp, or fly, or whatever else deposite his eggs in a particular part of the tree, an effectual remedy must, no doubt, be found in sheltering that part from his approaches. Whether this be done by surrounding it with ashes, as recom the egg from which the worm proceeds, is laid by a blue *It is the opinion of many accurate observers, that steel-coloured wasp, which makes its appearance about this time. It would be curious and useful for any one versed in such inquiries, to give the public a history of this insect, from its production to its death. mended and practised by your correspondent, or growth and ravages of a worm, produced from an All these remarks will apply, I presume, to the egg deposited by the curculio; and that the first ob- apricot, nectarine and peach, as well as to the plum; ject of this worm, when its temporary shelter (both but it is only with the rarer and finer sorts of fruits its food and habitation,) falls; is to conceal itself in that so much pains will commonly be taken, and the earth, where it undergoes various changes, and perhaps they are not always equally necessary. The whence it, or its brood returns to commit new de-apple tree itself does not always escape the visits of predations. By paving, therefore, you destroy it: the grub, or worm that is found in the bark just and, the next year, the curculio, exterminated, or below the surface of the ground. I have seen a else deterred by instinct from laying its egg in so fine young tree of that kind entirely destroyed dangerous a place, disappears. The effect of pav-by it; and, at the country-seat of a distinguishing has been produced, I have understood, by allow-ed gentleman near town, I found his apple trees, ing bogs to run loose among the trees, and devour and even pear trees, if I recollect right, proall the fruit that falls; and also, by keeping the tected with brown paper, or rags, or matting, as reearth hard by trampling or walking on it. commended for the peach. It is not improbable To wash the trees with the mixture before men- that the wasp, or whatever it may be, that seeks in tioned, must undoubtedly be very useful, and per- the latter kind of tree a nest for its eggs, will attack haps even an indispensable auxiliary to the precau- other kinds when it shall be driven from its favourite Plums, of the finest quality and of the finest tion of paving. It should be applied, I am inclined resort. sorts, are raised in many places in the city of Balti- to think, in the spring when the buds are about to more. Not many are brought to market, because burst, and in the fall when the leaves are dying: the trees belong generally to persons who use all for, it may be supposed at those seasons the bark the fruit themselves. Whether any equally good contains the greatest number of insects' eggs; those are produced in the country, I cannot say, for my that are to be hatched during the spring and sumobservation has not extended so far. It is a very mer, and those that are to pass the winter in its common opinion, however, that they will not suc-folds and be hatched the ensuing year. If, indeed, ceed in the country; which, I think, is a mistake, the wash were used once a month, it could do no but which would naturally lead us to suppose, with-harm and might be very beneficial; for there may be out having any positive knowledge of the fact, that as many insects vivified, and as many eggs laid by they do not succeed there now. them in one month as in the others. The places, in town, in which I have seen fine healthy plum trees, bending under fruit arrived at perfection, are yards, which are entirely paved with brick up to within an inch or two of the body of the tree, and in which the trees seem to be about ten or twelve feet, or perhaps less, apart. In some instances, the yards are so encompassed with buildings, that, I should think the trees must be deprived of a part of the morning sun and much of the afternoon, without taking their own shade into consideration. One of the yards to which I allude, is entirely covered from the south by high brick houses; and another, open to the south, is shut up at the north and west. In the latter, the trees stand so close, that yellow plums, and blue, and white, hang promiscuously above your head, as if they grew on the same branch. The trees appeared to me to have been washed with some mixture similar to the one mentioned by your correspondent. AN AMATEUR MERELY. HEDGES. Answer to inquiries in No. 15, Vol. 10. Mr. SKINNER, In the 15th number of the current volume of the American Farmer, "A correspondent wishes to know which is the best kind of thorns for hedges," &c. I have had some experience in that branch of improvement, and am willing to communicate it. I have planted three different kinds, namely: the Virginia I have remarked, however, that there is one in-thorn, raised in abundance, and sold by Mr. Joshua sect, the caterpillar, which both these precautions Pierce, at his nursery, Linnæan Hill, near Washinghave not been able, in all places, to repress. The ton, from 4 to $5 per thousand, according to the trees in some of the yards to which I have referred quantity purchased. The English white thorn, which are entirely stripped of their leaves. The late imported from Liverpool; cost with charges from frost had left no fruit to be injured. Vines, forest 5 to $6 per thousand, and a native thorn found in my trees, and fruit trees of every kind, are subject to own neighbourhood, and which I have seen in abuntheir attacks. Several modes of destroying them dance in several places in this state and Pennsylvahave been suggested. A friend told me, the other nia; I know not the botanical name, but in a natural day, that he had killed by the following means state, it grows large, of a circular formed top, with those that infested his yard. He had greased a large a dark green oval leaf, something resembling that of a cotton rag, rubbed it well with powdered sul- pear tree, the thorns very long and sharp, the berries phur, rolled it into a ball, and fastened it to the large and red. I have been told it is the same as the end of a long fishing rod, with which, after setting New Castle thorn; for the mode of raising the plants, it on fire, he held it under the caterpillars, where- see Mr. Mahon's Gardening. The first mentioned, I ever he could see them. Other persons go round think, makes the handsomest hedge; I would preand pick them off one by one, and crush them.-fer it for a garden or lawn; the second sends out a Others sprinkle them with soap suds, or lime water, great many lateral branches, and makes a close comor a solution of corrosive sublimate. But I think I pact fence; the third is of a most exuberant growth, I take it for granted that the trees owe their pre- should prefer the fumigating. Washing the body of and shoots out in all directions, perhaps the greatest servation, in part at least, to the brick pavement; the tree is of little or no avail, for the caterpillar objection will be the expense of keeping it in for I have often heard it asserted, by persons appa-deposites its eggs on the branches, and generally on proper bounds; I have had shoots of one year's rently conversant with the question, that the decay growth upwards of 6 feet long. I am of opinion ing and dropping of the fruit is occasioned by the that with proper management, a sufficient fence can be made of any of the three kinds in 4 or 5 years. This process, as I have heard it described and have I have also a hedge of the wild crab apple, that I practised it, is as follows. Scoop out the earth immeAnother of my friends has adopted a plan which think will answer the purpose, and am now prepardiately around the body of the tree, in the form of promises very well. In his yard he has several ve-ing to plant the honey locust, that I think may exbasin, about six inches deep. Examine whether there be any worms in the bark, which may be known by its fine apricot trees, and one or two plum trees, some cel them all, but as yet cannot positively decide. being black or decayed, and by the gums having exof which are quite large, and the others young and My mode of planting is, after manuring the ground uded. If there be any, pick them out carefully, and small. Around the latter, about a foot above the well, and planting potatoes on it, (which enriches eut the bark away smooth and clean wherever it is in-ground, he wrapped a rag of linen or cotton well and cleans it from weeds) I stretch two lines in the jured; but do not cut away more than is necessary for greased; with the old ones he took no precautions. intended direction at a foot apart, and mark it those purposes. On the wound you may put a compo- and the latter are almost entirely stript of their off with a spade as deep as possible; then dig it sition of clay, cow dung, and urine, to facilitate its leaves, while the others have wholly escaped from out as deep as the good soil goes; this I lay on the healing. If no worms be there, the knife must, of the insect. It seems reasonable to believe, that un- one side of the trench, and shovel out the subsoil on course, not be used. Then take some coarse brown less the caterpillar's eggs be hatched on the tree, the other side to the depth of 9 or 10 inches; this bepaper, (commonly called sheathing paper,) or matting, that insect must crawl up it to feast on the leaves; ing done, let a careful hand go into the trench, and or coarse cloth, or any other similar substance. Wrap and this you prevent by the greased cloth or by tar, place the plants against each side of it at the disit around the tree, so that the lower edge may touch the ground about six inches below the surface, and the up- or almost any other sticky substance, that will not tance of 8 or 9 inches, forming a double row 12 inper edge reach about six inches above the surface; tie it dry too soon. If the caterpillars be hatched on ches apart, and 8 or 9 distant in the rows with twine, matting, yarn, or any thing that will press the tree, as is generally the case, they must be de- having a smart boy to shovel in first the good earth, it tight and close to the tree. Then tar or pitch it well stroyed as before directed. Whether, in this spe- and then what came from below; care must be taken on the outside with a large painter's brush; and, finally, cies of caterpillar, it be the worm itself that lays the to fix the plants at the proper distance, and tramp throw back the earth into its place, so as to fill the hole eggs, or whether, as it is most probable, that fune- the earth firmly about the roots. Before planting, I that was made and to assume its former level. This cut off all the straggling roots, and afterwards I cut covering will last, it is said, several years. If the tree the tops within an inch of the surface; after the first be large it will require half a sheet of the paper; if small, a quarter of a sheet. A man and a boy can work year, I again cut all off about three inches from the the largest orchard in this way, in one, or, at the most, ground; after the second, about twelve inches, and two days. A gallon of pitch or tar will be enough; and so on every year, letting them rise gradually, accordthe whole expense would not exceed 3 or 4 dollars. ing to their vigour, till they come to a proper height; a the smallest, if I am not mistaken, placing them tion is performed by a moth, I am not competent to the bark of the tree. * by these means I thicken my hedge at the bottom, bee-worm; but, upon examination, I found they al-At the latter period, the lakes and low grounds in otherwise it would be no fence, especially against ways bred between the bench upon which the hive a great part drain out, or their waters are evaporatthe swinish multitude, that are always on the look sat and the bottom edges of the hive. I first adopted, and in October and November, immense spaces, out and ready for mischief. As to planting, I con-ed the method of having the bottom edges of the which in February, March and April, were inundatsider it immaterial, whether tis done in fall, winter hive brought to so small a point or edge as to afford or spring, if the ground be in good order; but if you them no shelter; but now, during the warm season, have much to do, and defer it to the spring, there is I raise the hive by placing small sticks around una chance of the buds putting out before planting, der the hive, so as to raise it, say about half an inch which I would avoid if possible. from the bench, which I take out during winter or Probable Cost. the cold months. cts. 25 per perch. Protection from cattle and sheep, and careful weeding; will be necessary for 3 or 4 years. They should not be planted nearer any protecting fence, than 3 feet, nor where the shade of trees will reach them, nor should they be allowed to rise higher than about 5 feet at any time, for if they are allowed to shoot up, they will get thin at the bottom. en to it. And I can say, sir, that for many years I have seen nothing of the bee-worm, and that my stock of bees have increased as fast as I can or could wish. Yours, &c. MILEY HAMILTON. INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT. RAFTS IN THE RED AND ATCHAFALAYA There are few phenomena in nature more curi- ed from one to twenty feet, become meadows covered with a carpet of green and succulent herbage. Thirty miles above its influx into the Mississippi, Red river receives its north eastern and largest branch, the Ouachita. The latter rises between Red and Arkansas rivers, lon. W. from Wash. C. 17, and at N. lat. 34 deg. 40 m; flowing thence a little east of south 300 miles, but by a very tortuous channel, joins Red river. The general features of Ouachita, are very similar to the main stream, and in particular, those of the lakes and adjacent swamps, which near the Ouachita, are at like seasons, filled and emptied, and along both rivers, operate as real reservoirs. The great inundated tract above Natchitoches, is not rendered difficult of navigation by rafts of timber, for few such do really exist in these "thousand streams," but from the very great intricacy of the channels. I had a very large pirogue constructed in a creek of lake Bistineau, with which we navigated into and above lake Bodean, and with which I returned by Red river, by one of its outlets below Alexandria at the Rapids, and down Boeuf river to Lemellas landing near St Landre Opelousas. At high water, barges of large tonnage are navigated through the Rait, and for several hundred miles above, into the recesses of Arkansas and Texas. I am so well convinced of the efficacy and necesRed river is the true North American Nile, rising sity of this species of improvement, that I am aston in New Mexico, at N. lat 35o and lon. 27° W. from At the Grand Ecor above Natchitoches, and at ished at its being so little attended to, and I am still Washington city, augmented by numerous branches, the latter village, Red river once more breaks into more astonished, that I never saw by any agricultural and flowing in very nearly an easterly direction separate channels, which never again entirely resociety, the least notice taken or encouragement giv-300 miles to the 100th degree W. from the Royal uite. The main stream, however, falls over its lowYours respectfully, Observatory at Greenwich, and 23 deg. 4 m. W. er Rapid at Alexandria, and flowing thence by a from Washington eity, continuing east 400 miles,and channel, more winding if possible, than that of the forming a boundary between the United States and Mississippi itself; the two rivers touch rather than Texas. Red river enters Arkansas, and curving to unite, one and a half miles above the efflux of the Atthe S. E a few miles, and thence south, enters Lou-chafalaya, at N. lat. 31 deg. 1 m. A moment's attenNEW MODE OF KILLING CATERPILLARS--by Shooting.isiana, over which it winds by a general course of tion to the relative courses of Red and Atchafalaya Greensburgh, Pa. 12th July, 1828. MR. SKINNER, C. BIRNIE. Thorndale, Taneytown, 14th July, 1828. S. E. 200, but by a very winding channel of upwards I have tried many of the schemes, published in Red river enters Louisiana near the north west your valuable paper, for the destruction of caterpil-angle of that state, by a single stream, but about 30 lars on my fruit trees, but without success. For the miles lower, breaks into numerous branches, pre two past years, I have used my gun charged with a senting a most intricate maze of islands, inlets, chansmall load of gunpowder and tow wad, and find it nels, and lakes of every size, from one to thirty miles much easier, and more effectual than any other in length. This annually inundated tract lies in a means within my power. By placing the muzzle direction of north west and south east, extending 60 of the piece about a foot from the nest, and firing miles, with a mean width of eight miles. Ascendthe charge into it, the worms are killed and scattering, this Raft region, as it is absurdly called, comed, and the nest entirely destroyed and torn from the branches of the tree. This does no injury to the tree- in a few days vegetation will be restored where the leaves had been entirely ruined by the worm. If the nests are too high to be got at by standing on the ground, it is easy to climb the tree and go out on the limbs, or ascend to them by means of a ladder, and a person can carry with him his ammunition and a light fowling-piece or a pistol, and carry on the war in the enemies' own country. BEE-MILLER. TO PREVENT THE DESTRUCTION OF BEES, BY THE Sir,-Understanding that you are the publisher of a paper exclusively devoted to domestic industry and intelligence, and through which every subject upon domestic economy can be, and is readily communicated to the public; I take the liberty, through the advice of a friend, of making known to you, for publication, (should you think proper to publish the same,) my method of preventing the destruction of that useful insect, the Bee, by what is usually called the Bee-miller, or Bee-worm. I have, sir, for many years, been the raiser of bees, and was at one time much troubled with the rivers, renders the conclusion inevitable, that the latter is the continuation of the former. The banks of the two streams have a perfect resemblance to each other, and particularly in the colour of the ochreous earth of which they are composed, and from which Red river derives its name. This reddish earth, prevalent along the Boeuf and Teche, demonstrates also, the extensive agency once exercised by the waters of Red river, in places which they no longer reach. It was noticed in my last communication, that the mences at Grand Ecor 4 miles above Natchitoches, current of the Mississippi,was thrown from the points and has every appearance of having once been a into the bends, and it must be evident that with the lake, which has been gradually filled by alluvion, current, will floating timber be in like manner borne and what is peculiarly worthy of remark, is that as along the shores at the bottom of the bends.the ancient lake was disappearing, the earth by Though only distant from each other 2508 yards, or which it was obliterated, operated to form dams not quite half a mile, a very salient point, from the across the mouths of the small tributary rivers on left shore protrudes into the Mississippi, between each side, and by that means create new lakes. In the mouth of Red river and the efflux of Atchafathis manner was formed, lake Bistineau, 40 miles laya. Red river comes in from the north; the Mislong, and from one to three wide; lake Bodean, 30 sissippi meets it from the east, and the united wamiles long, and from one to ten miles wide; two ters rapidly sweep to the southward, and south eastlarge lakes in the vicinity of the Cado village, Span-ward, throw out the Atchafalaya to the south west, ish lake in the vicinity of Natchitoches, and ma- and thence assume an eastern course of 5 or 6 miles, ny more. These new lakes, and the remains forming a very narrow and pointed peninsula on the of the still greater and more ancient lake, have eastern side of the Mississippi. a most powerful effect in checking the excess; When the spring floods are at their height, an but at the same time, lengthens the duration of the enormous body of water pours into Atchafalaya, floods of Red river. This great tributary of the with overwhelming rapidity. The winding of the Delta, rather than of the Mississippi, is a much bend above, as I have already noticed, forces the greater stream than is commonly believed. Having current, and with it, every floating substance it a comparative course of upwards of one thousand bears, directly into the Atchafalaya, down which the miles, and draining at least 150,000 square miles, debris is carried in masses which would stagger hu Red river bears into Louisiana an immense body of man belief to admit as possible. At about 1774, as water. The spring periodical overflow of this river near as I could obtain correct information in Louisis usually in the months of February, March and iana, a body of floating timber, large and compact April, but flowing from a southern and in great part enough to fill the channel of Atchafalaya, lodged a prairie country, the evaporation of summer and au- in one of the very crooked bends of that stream.tumn, reduces its volume to a very small compass. The first raft was quickly augmented by new acces |