WHEN EYE-GLASSES ARE TO BE USED. The cases in which eye-glasses may be used with advantage, are nearly the following, viz: When we are obliged to hold small objects at a considerable distance, before we can distinguish them Second: when, in order to discern objects, we require more light than usual-for instance, when we are obliged to place a candle between the eye and the object, a most destructive practice, by which the optic nerves and muscles are much injured; and, as the eye employs itself with the object, in proportion to the degree of light reflected upon it, the pupil ought to dilate accordingly; instead of which, it is forced to contract, on account of the too powerful light of the candle. Third: when a near object, upon accurate and attentive examination, becomes obscure, and begins to appear covered with a mist or fog, as it were. Fourth: when, in reading or writing, the letters seem to flow into one another, and look as if they were double or treble. Fifth: When the eyes are easily fatigued, and we are obliged, from time to time, to shut them, or to direct them to fresh objects, for temporary relief. [Willich. 3d. That he considers its cultivation far more profitable than a crop of either tobacco, cotton or ON GARDENING. A committee on culinary vegetables; A committee on medicinal vegetables, and those used in the arts; A committee on hardy and tender ornamental plants; A committee on the laying out of gardens; GARDEN SEEDS. Just received, a new assortment of choice Garden Seeds, raised and put up in the best manner by the United Society of Shakers, at Hancock, Berkshire county, retail price of the seeds, and the letters D. G Massachusetts, and marked with the name, and the For sale by [From the November (1827,) number of the Paris "Journal des Connaissances Usuelles et Pratiques," received in exchange for the American Farmer, we extract the following short account of a horticultural society, lately established in that city. As Baltimore is destined, by the great works of internal communication now on foot, to become a very large city, in which there will be, of course a great demand for vegetables, fruit and ornamental trees and shrubs, we do not know any thing to which the attention of those who have land in the immediate vicinity can be more properly directed, than to gardening. The attempt to compete with the interior, when the rail-roads shall be made, in wheat, rye, corn, beef, &c. &c. would be vain. We must resort to the cultivation of those articles that are consumed from day to day in large communities, and that will not bear to be transported to a distance. No country can be better adapted, in soil, climate, position, and facilities, than the neighbourhood of Baltimore, for every branch of horticulture. The object of attracting public attention to this important subject, and eliciting and giving Where the polish is gone off, let the articles be all necessary and useful information, would be ap-a first rubbed over the outside with a little sweet oil,propriately attained, we think, by connecting with on a piece of soft linen cloth; then clear it off with the Maryland Agricultural Society a department of dry pure whitening, quite free from sand, on linen horticulture.] cloths, which will make them look as well as when new. The insides should be rubbed with rags moistened in wet whitening, but without a drop of oil. Always wiping these articles dry, when brought from table, and keeping them free from steam or other damp, greatly facilitates the trouble of cleaning them. RECIPES. BEST METHOD OF CLEANING FINE BLOCK TIN DISH COVERS, PATENT PEWTER, &c. CEMENT TO MEND BROKEN CHINA OR GLASS. (From the "Journal des Connaissances Usuelles et April 4. EDWD. I WILLSON, Commission Merchant, No. 4, Bowly's wharf, Baltimore. BALTIMORE PRICES CURRENT. Corrected for the American Farmer, by Edward I. Willson, FLOUR-white wheat family, $6.00 a 6 25-superfine Howard-st 4.00 a 4.624; city mills, 4.50; Susquehanna, 4.25-CORN MEAL, bbl. 2.50-GRAIN, best red wheat .80 a 86-best white wheat, .90 a .95-ordiny. to good, We promised, in one of our late numbers, to give BEANS, .80 a 1.0-PEAS, .55 a 60-CLOVER seed, .75 a .80--CORN, .35 a .37-RYE, 42 a 44 -Oats, 21 a.23 some account of the organization and by-laws of 3.75 a 4.00-TIMOTHY, 2.50 a 2.75-Barley,.60 a .62the Horticultural Society established by Count de FLAXSEED, .75 a .80-COTTON, Virginia, .9 a .94-Loui Lasteyrie and Viscount He'riert de Thury. This siana, 10 a .13-Alabama, 9 a 12-Mississippi, .10 a institution, which was much wanted and which will.13-N. Carolina, .9 a.101-Georgia, .9 a.10-WHISGarlic, stampt in a stone mortar; the juice where-indubitably lend a powerful impulse and develope- KEV, in hhds 1st proof, .22-in barrels, .24-WOOL, of, when applied to the pieces to be joined together, ment to our gardening and tilth, has received the common, unwashed, .15 a. 16-washed, .18 a .20-three is the finest and strongest cement for that purpose, approbation of a great many persons both in the quarter, 25 a 30-full do. .30 a 35-HEMP, Russia, capital and in the country, who have zealously sub-ton, $280-Country, dew-rotted, ton, 136 a 140-waterscribed for its support, and contributed also their literary labours. The society has already had several meetings, and has begun to arrange and systematize the numerous objects it embraces. There have appeared two numbers of its journal, whose purpose is to disseminate throughout France a knowledge and practice of the best methods, and such facts as may be calculated to interest the friends of horticulture. Our readers will learn from the following extracts from their constitution and by-laws, what means the society intend to adopt. and will leave little or no mark if done with care. THE FARMER. BALTIMORE, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 1828. Notice is hereby given, that the owners of valuable mares in Anne Arundel and Baltimore counties, may expect to have, by the first of May, and on moderate terms, the services of a thorough bred stallion, of the best pedigree and qualities, from the stud of a gentleman in the south of Virginia. Further particulars hereafter. The Editor respectfully asks the favour of any patron of this paper, to send him the name of any gentleman who he may suppose would subscribe to the American Farmer; and a number or two of the paper shall, in that case, be sent as a fair specimen, for examination. PROFITABLE HORTICULTURE. Extract to the Editor, from Wyoming, Va, 24th March, 1828. "A letter has been recently placed in my hands, written by Colonel Adlum, near Georgetown, to a friend of mine, resident of Petersburg, from which I learn the following facts, developed under his management of the vine: 1st. That upon an average of ten years, after the three first, the vine produces 400 gallons per acre. 2d. I hat from two and a half acres, in 1826, he realized from eleven to twelve hundred dollars, after deducting all expenses. CHAPTER I. Objects of the Society. The Horticultural Society is founded for the improvement of the cultivation of the kitchen and rotted, 170 a 190---FISH, Shad, Susquehanna, No. 1, bbl 6 00 a 6.50; do. do. trimmed, 6 50-Herrings, No. 1, bbl. 3.00 a 3.25; No. 2, 2.621-Mackerel, No. 1, 5.621; No. 2, 5.374; No. 3, 4.50-BACON, hams, Balt cured, .9; do. Eastern Shore, :124-hog round, cured, .6 a .7Feathers, .26 a .28-Plaster Paris, cargo price per ton, $3.25; ground, 1 25 per bbl. MARKETING-Apples, bush. 1.00 a 1.50; Butter, lb. .25 a 37; Eggs, dozen, .9 a 12; Turnips, bush. .37; Potatoes, wholesale .30, retail .50; Parsnips, .75; Onions, .40; Beef, prime pieces, lb. .10; Veal, 8 a 10; Mutton, 5. a 6; Turkies,.75 a 1.00; Ducks, .50; Chickens, pair, .62 a 75; Pork, 6; fresh Shad, per pair, 25 a 374; Live CATTLE, $6. CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER. devoted exclusively to Sheep-On Agricultural Schools, pleasure gardens, of the culture of the plants and ment. It solicits descriptions of plants, shrubs, flowers, and fruits, remarkable for their novelty, their beauty, or their usefulness. The progress and ultimate perfection of the art being dependent upon observation and experiment, the society will consider of the best means of procuring a garden. Under its direction a journal will be published, and sent gratuitously to the members. Among the various committees we remark the following: Common Mulberry-Apricot, Plum and Peach-Preventive against Birds taking Seeds out of the groundFarnham's Grater Cider Mill-Medical Remarks on Marriage-Hunting- Quack Medicines, Report on Swaim's Panacea-Migration of Butterflies-On Expense-China Paper-Scraps--Vegetable Life-When Eye Glasses are to be used-Recipes-Editorial, Profitable Gardening, Horticultural Society-Prices. Printed every Friday, at Five Dollars per annum, for JOHN S. SKINNER, Editor, by JOHN D. Toy, corner of St. Paul and Market-sts. (Communicated for the American Farmer.) OBSERVATIONS ON THE SILK WORM. To those who are really disposed to make the There cannot be a more healthful or succulent leaf experiment, I will cheerfully present a small quan-than that which it produces, and those who have not tity of eggs, if they will leave their address at the the exotic kinds convenient, will run no risk in subWarren warehouse in Hanover street; and as stituting it. It will afford them the opportunity at these increase three or four hundred fold in a sea-present, of becoming familiar with the habits and son, a stock may soon be obtained by such as wish to treatment of the insects, and allow time to make continue it. This will afford them an opportunity plantations of the other descriptions for future seaof becoming acquainted with the culture. They sons. may form some idea of the number of insects they As soon, therefore, in the spring, as the weather can attend; what quantity of silk will be produced, becomes mild and settled, and the buds of the mul and whether this addition to their cares, will be berry tree begin to expand, the paper on which the sufficiently rewarded. eggs are deposited, hitherto kept in a cool cellar, The success which has attended my experiments on the silk worm, and a desire to promote the introduction of this important branch of industry into a country so peculiarly adapted to it as ours, are my inducements for offering the following observations, derived principally from my own experience; aided by a valuable pamphlet, lately sent me from France. I would feel great diffidence in this undertaking, after the many treatises that have been published on this subject, were it not for the frequent applications that are made to me for information My experiments last summer, with about fifteen may be laid, loosely folded, in a situation affording respecting it, by persons who have doubtless read hundred worms, though made under every disada temperature of 60 or 65 degrees, for two or three most of these essays, but who do not appear to have vantage, were very satisfactory. In the hurry of days; and which may be gradually increased to 80, derived from them much practical instruction. other engagements, they were forgotten until the as the leaves are pushed forward or retarded by the Perhaps they have been too elaborate, sometimes season was far advanced, and the leaves had be-season. Where there are but few eggs, these varitoo fanciful; giving an air of difficulty to a very come too old to afford them the tender nourishment ations of temperature may be attained, by removing simple occupation, or treating as a subject of they require in the early periods of their existence. them to different parts of the apartment; always taste and amusement, what is essentially a matter On opening the paper which contained the eggs, avoiding the direct rays of the sun; by wearing them of business. The silk worm is a hardy, vigorous, and which I had deposited in my cellar to prevent about the person, or by placing them in a kitchen if ugly insect. The housewife, with her brood of eartheir hatching, I found the insects were beginning necessary to hasten their production. Generally, I ly chickens, liable to sicken in the dew, or perish to intrude themselves; thus shewing how easily this should imagine the temperature of the season would in the frost, has many more perplexities to encoun- process may be managed, and that the ordinary be sufficient, and if favourable to the advancement ter than this sturdy glutton, whose only want is temperature of the season is sufficient to effect it, of the leaf, would probably bring forth the insect in food, will occasion her; and the curious will find a without resorting to the artificial and troublesome proper time. This is, however, a critical point in higher gratification in observing the labours of the measures pointed out by most writers on the sub- the management of the silk worm, and perhaps the bee. But, on the score of profit, and to the females ject. Mine had been but a few hours in my sitting chief obstacle our capricious climate opposes to it. especially on the small farms throughout our coun-room, before the whole business was accomplished. The late frosts to which we are liable, and which try, I am persuaded, this insect would prove a va- I was soon compelled to remove them, (not having | sometimes destroy the leaves of the hardiest forest luable acquisition; as it has already done to their a spare room in my house to appropriate to them,) trees after they are completely expanded, might unmore provident country-women in the north; de- to a dark and badly ventilated chamber in the vil-expectedly deprive the stock of sustenance, and they manding only the attention of their leisure hours lage, where they were subjected to continual noise must perish. But this risk is to be incurred with during six weeks of the year, and requiring no fur- and interruption. They had, too, to endure fre- many other productions, and the advantage here is, ther capital than nature has furnished them, in the quent changes of temperature, as we had late frosts that though the disappointment may be great, the fine mulberry trees with which she has stocked our in the room to afford the means of warming insects, at this early period, have not had labour and much wet weather; and there was no fire-place loss is inconsiderable. The eggs cost little, and the forests. Once understood, which it cannot fail to be, after one season of experiment, this culture it. Thunder, said to be pernicious to them, did enough bestowed on them, to make them valuable. would form a very lucrative branch of household mine no injury, though they had two tremendous The eggs being properly matured, the insect will industry; and, without interfering with the poultry storms to encounter. In a word, they seemed to come forth in the form of a small black ant, full of yard, or dairy, become a more important source require nothing but food, and as the mulberry trees life and activity, and eagerly demanding food; but of revenue. In the silk countries of Europe, every in the neighbourhood furnished this in abundance, if it be observed that only a few have made their cottage has its stock of insects, which are set to they flourished beyond all expectation; yielding me appearance, it will be better to let them remain, unwork in the spring, and when their labours are end- at the expiration of four weeks and a half, three til a general production has taken place, and even ed, their produce finds a ready sale in the manu-Pecks of perfect cocoons, (so their balls of silk are to perish if a considerable interval should elapse facturing districts. It is the province of the agri-called,) and a vast quantity of eggs for a future before this occurs. The first worms are generally culturist to furnish the raw silk, either in cocoons season. These cocoons, have been pronounced by of little value; and it would be difficult to regulate as the worm leaves it, or in skeins if he have the persons from the silk districts of France, and accus- their treatment with those that come later. In large means of reeling it, as it is of the planter, to sup in that country, and they approve highly of the qua-insect first obtained, in a cool situation, and feedtomed to this business, equal to any they have seen establishments, this is accomplished by placing the ply us with cotton, or the grazier to produce his wool. Even now, this precious material is demand-ity of the silk reeled from them, leaving no doubt ing them sparingly, to retard their growth; while ed in the eastern states, where extensive preparain my mind, of the practicability of bringing this the late ones are allowed more heat and food, that tions have been made for manufacturing it; and I valuable material into general culture in our state. they may overtake them, and thus go through the I am putting up a small building, sufficient to ac-different stages in the same time. This, in a mere would very soon avail myself of the facilities I have of establishing machinery for this purpose at Warcommodate as many insects as the mulberry trees, experiment, would afford too much trouble; and it ren, could I see a prospect of a sufficient supply of which are very numerous here and in the neigh- is, therefore, better to lose the very forward eggs, raw silk to employ it. To obtain this, a very gene- some with the white mulberry, keeping them dis- keep the worms produced from the latter distinct bourhood, will supply with leaves, and will also feed and to throw away the very backward ones, or to ral co-operation of our agriculturists will be neces sary, and my object is, to engage them to make the tinct, to ascertain which is the most proper food for from the general stock. It is also recommended, experiment in their families, during the approach-them. I will also keep a strict account of the ex- where the business is extensively engaged in, to ing season, in the hope that they will find it to their pense of attending them, the quantity of silk they scrape the eggs from the paper on which they have advantage, to follow it more extensively hereafter. produce, its quality and value, and communicate the been deposited, and to place them on pewter or With this view, I have entered into the minutest result hereafter, should the zeal displayed in the earthern plates, preparatory to their hatching, after details of the habits and wants of the insect, and pursuit this season, induce me to believe they will they have been washed in very pure water and laid down such rules for its treatment, as cannot, I be thought interesting. carefully dried; but this trouble appears unnecesthink, be misapprehended. sary, and the danger of breaking or losing them, renders it unadvisable when the quantity is small. The prevailing opinion seems to be, that the white I have avoided giving any calculations as to the mulberry tree furnishes the most suitable food for 1st Age. We will suppose the essay to be made quantity of silk produced by a given number of in- the silk worm, and yet I cannot find a single writer sects, or the profit likely to accrue to the cultivator. who gives it a decided preference, while many ad- with 1000 worms, which are as many as those who Indeed, I have no certain information on these mit it to be a matter of doubt. The author of the have not much time and space to bestow, can conpoints, and they are still doubtful, even in Europe: it may have a favourable influence on the quality of produced, the paper should be spread out on a taFrench pamphlet I have alluded to, merely imagines veniently manage. When a quantity of eggs have where the business is so much better understood; the silk.-The black has many advocates. In some ble, and a few twigs, or rather the extremities of besides, they there compute the eggs by weight, countries, the various kinds are used indiscriminate-the branches of the mulberry tree, with the leaves and it would be impossible to apply these estimates to the small number of insects employed in an exly, and even the morus papyrifera or paper mulber-upon them, should be laid lightly on the worms. periment. It is merely important for us to ascer-y, the least inviting in appearance of all, is fre-They will very soon collect on these, and should tain, that the insect will thrive in our climate, that quently resorted to. My own experience induces then be lifted, twigs and all, and deposited on a suitable food can be obtained for it, its management native of our forests, and which differs very little ford them sufficient space during what is called their me to believe, that the red mulberry, which is a clean sheet of foolscap, which will be found to af easily acquired, and we shall then enter upon it as from the black of Europe, will answer perfectly well. first age. This paper may be laid on a common a branch of business with more confidence. No. 4.-VOL. 10. waiter, the elevated ridges of which will protect as possible, as those last hatched will continue to them. It may also be necessary to purify the air of the room, which is often offensive, from the quantity of decaying leaves, and the litter of the insects. For this purpose, the following simple process is recommended. In a plate, saucer, or other open vessel, mix together three tea-spoons full of common salt, and one of the black oxide of manganese, (to be had of The duration of the mue, is quite uncertain. In any druggist,) and pour thereon two or three spoons mine, it was hardly perceptible. Sometimes it lasts full of sulphuric acid, (oil of vitriol,) carry the for hours, sometimes for days, much depending on mixture round the room, that the gas (chlorine) the season, the treatment and the quality of the which will immediately be evolved, may be freely worms. It is, however, a critical period, and re- circulated. Care should be taken to hold it at quires that every precaution should be taken to pre-arms-length, and above the head, as it is pernicious vent their being disturbed. if inhaled directly into the lungs, though perfectly 2d. Age. When the insects begin to revive, they harmless if breathed in an apartment. A substi should not be fed too soon. Time should be allow-tute for this, when it cannot conveniently be had, is ed for a large majority of them to be in a state to vinegar, sprinkled lightly over the floor and shelves, require food, before it is furnished, and several hours or poured on a hot iron, that the fumes may spread should be permitted to elapse, rather than lose the through the apartment. By these means, with the When, by means of the twigs, the principal part opportunity thus afforded of equalizing them. It occasional admission of air by raising the window of the worms have been removed, they should have will now be necessary to increase the space they to the full during the day, and leaving it up for an their first repast, which must consist of the tender-before occupied, and the expedient of the twigs inch or two when the nights are sultry, the worms est leaves, cut fine, and so distributed, that the with leaves may again be resorted to, to transfer may be kept in good condition, and escape the evils branches may be lifted off when they are forsaken them to two clean sheets of paper, and to divide the to which they are liable in close and overheated for the fresh food. It will be necessary to feed them stock between them-or on three, if they appear apartments. Moisture is also very injurious to four or five times during the day, and once before crowded; feeding, after they have reposed an hour them; it will destroy them if brought in with their they are left at bed-time, or oftener, if they be or two, with leaves cut less fine than before, and food, and renders them sickly and inactive when it found to consume readily what is given to them. removing the twigs when they have been deserted. prevails in the atmosphere. It is, therefore, recomAn hour and a half is allowed them to finish their The paper they left, with the litter remaining on it, mended, to kindle a little fire, of light wood, that meal, and if this has been sufficient to satisfy them, should be removed from the apartment. will burn briskly with a bright blaze, if a long spell they remain quiet and appear to sleep. If they are It is better now, instead of confining the insects of wet weather should occur, even though it should still restless, more leaves must be given, provided to the centre of the sheet, to form them in a band be warm. They can better withstand heat than they have none remaining, or these have become along the middle of it, and to preserve this disposi- humidity, though every precaution should be taken bard and dry. A little observation will enable the tion of them during the rest of their treatment. It to exempt them from either. In our climate, howperson who attends, very soon, to understand their will enable them to be fed by laying the leaves on the ever, little is to be apprehended on the latter score, wants and the quantity of food they require-this outside of the bands, and require fewer to be sprin- at the season of this culture, and the former may will now be very small, and will not exceed a hand-kled over them, which are always oppressive. be obviated by the judicious admission of air at ful or two of leaves per day. These bands may be enlarged, by attracting the proper seasons. A piece of gauze or fly net should It is desirable that the leaves should be gathered worms towards the edges of the paper as they aug- be used, when the windows are up, to keep out a few hours before they are used, and very impor-ment in size. flies and goats, which are very annoying to silk tant that they be given free from moisture of dew They will require double the food they received worms. or rain. It is well, therefore, to procure in the eve-in the first age, which may be furnished in the ning, what will be required for the following morn- same manner; and when they fall into their second ing, and in the morning, the supply necessary for mue on the fourth or fifth day, the same precautions the evening, so that, if unavoidably wet, they may should be observed, only affording them, occasional- 4th Age.-The treatment during this period, difbe spread out on the floor, where the air can circu- ly, a little more air if the weather be fine and fers very little from the last. The insects will inlate freely among them, and soon fit them for use. warm. Should the door or window be opened once crease rapidly in size and appetite, and must be Drying them in the sun will not do so well; they may or twice during this age, to reduce the thermome-managed accordingly, dividing them on fresh sheets also be preserved fresh for several days, by laying ter a degree or two for a short time, it would have them loosely in a large basket, or on a clean board a beneficial effect, by producing a change of air in or table, and placing them in a cool cellar, so that the apartment. provision may always be made against à continua- 3d. Age. The insects will now have attained a tion of wet weather. An opportunity is afforded, size that will require for them a further augmentaa short time after feeding, of removing the decay-tion of space and food. A shelf should, therefore, ed leaves, and the stems and fibres which the worms be provided in a part of the room where they will do not eat. This should not be neglected, and is be protected from the sun, a strong glare of light, the only cleaning they now require. It is also well or current of air. A corner, adjoining a south or to distribute the leaves, at each time of feeding, a little more widely, that the space allotted the worms, may be extended with their growth. When too many are collected upon one spot, a fresh leaf should be thrown them, and when they have attached themselves to it, they may be transferred to fill a vacant space. They should be distributed as evenly as possible over the paper, so as not to incommode or touch each other. On the third day, they will be found to eat voraciously, and care must be taken to keep them properly supplied, by observing the rules already laid down. It is important to cut the leaves tolerably fine before they are given to the insects, as they feed principally from the edges, and are thus greatly facilitated in obtaining their nourishment. On the fourth and fifth days, they have their third mue, and their food and treatment are to be regulated as on the former occasions. and augmenting the supply of leaves, which may now be given in larger cuts. They should have four regular meals per day. One very early in the morning, the second about ten, third at three, and the last late in the evening, and it is often necessary to throw them a few leaves in the intervals, especially if they shew signs of hunger by restlessness, and by lifting their heads when approached. The chief art in the management of silk worms, is, in east window, would be the most suitable situation. adapting their food to their wants, and this can only It may be raised three feet from the ground, and be acquired by observation. If they have too little, attached to the wall or otherwise supported. If it retards their growth and operations; if too much, eight feet long by thirty inches wide, it will be suffi-it oppresses them, and adds to the trouble of atcient to contain the sheets on which they are sub-tending them, by the accumulation of dried leaves divided through this and the following age, when remaining unconsumed, which also contribute very another may be added to conclude the experiment much to corrupt the air of the apartment. They would do very well on tables, where it is not convenient to erect shelves, and the papers might be dispensed with, placing them on the board, provided it be smooth and dry; but it would then be more difficult to clean them of their litter. It will now be time to put up the second shelf, about two feet above the first, and to remove to it some of the worms, if they appear crowded. If not, it will be ready to receive them after they recover from their fourth and last mue, which takes place about the fifth or sixth day. Four or six sheets will now be necessary, to which they may be removed, as before, when recovered I repeat, that the time of these mues is very unfrom their torpor, and deposited on the shelf, begin- certain, and have not, therefore, pretended to fix ning at one end of it and extending the papers the exact periods of their occurrence or terminaTowards the close of the fourth day, many of along the middle, as the quantity is increased. tion. They cannot, however, be mistaken. The them will be found inert, and on the fifth, they will They will probably require shifting to fresh pa- worm first refuses food; remains for some hours probably be all in the same condition: this is what pers, once or twice during this age, which is very quite inactive; is then observed to be agitated, to is technically called their mue, (casting of the skin) easily accomplished, by throwing them a few fresh cast its skin, and shortly after to resume its funcand now will be seen, the importance of having had and entire leaves, to which they will soon attach tions. Nature seems to have made this little insect as many protruded at the same time from the egg themselves, and thus afford the means of removing the subject of her ingenuity, and to have contrived these mues to augment the display of it. She has others will never form any; but this is unavoida- A reel, with the art of using it, will be indispengiven it a covering, which, at first, hangs loosely ble. sable in every establishment, where the production about it, but which soon becomes too small to con- Three days and a half are required to complete of silk is undertaken. This machine, which is not tain its bulk, rapidly increased by its voraciousness: the cocoons, and on the sixth or seventh they may costly, and for which I can at any time furnish a with an instinct nearly allied to reason, it abstains be detached from the leaves, beginning with the model, is the only item of expense necessary in the for a time from food, that its body may be sufficient-boughs first furnished, which are likely to contain business. The eggs may easily be procured: there ly attenuated to pass through the rings into which the most perfect. When it is meant to reel them, is scarcely a farm that has not many fine mulberry its skin is divided; then casting forth some gluti-and this cannot be done immediately, it is necessa- trees upon it, or some vacant field or fence row, nous matter, which binds it by one extremity to the ry to throw them into boiling water, or to bake them where they might be planted: scarcely a dwelling surface on which it is placed, it struggles forth at in an oven, to destroy the insect, which would other-that has not some spare corner, or a family where the other, leaving its incumbrance behind, and pre-wise pierce them, when it is transformed into a pared to run another career of gluttony. 5th Age. This is the important period in the management of the silk worm, and should have unremitted attention. It has now become valuable, on account of the time and labour bestowed on it, and as it is about to afford the harvest, it should be diligently looked to. moth, and spoil them for this purpose. If it be desired to obtain a stock of eggs, the cocoons, after having been stripped of the loose silk or bur that surrounds them, should be laid on one of the shelves that the worms occupied, selecting as the best, those cocoons of a middle size, of a light straw colour, and which appear hard and of The temperature may now be reduced to about fine texture. The room should be so much darken70° Far. (too much heat having the effect of render-ed, that objects can hardly be discerned across it. ing the worms indolent,) the space increased, and In the course of fourteen or eighteen days, or sooner the food given in entire leaves, or merely torn in if the weather be warm, the end of the cocoon will two. It is said they consume two hundred times become moist, and the butterfly, into which the inthe quantity that served them in their first age, and sect is metamorphosed, will make its appearance. a good stock must, therefore, be brought in at eve- The males may easily be distinguished from the fery gathering. In removing them, it is well to keep males, as they are much smaller and more active. such as are backward in their recovery, distinct, as An equal number of each should be placed together they will be later in climbing, and require food on sheets of paper, and laid on the unoccupied shelf, longer than the rest. there to remain for a few hours, when the male may The decayed leaves should be carefully picked be removed, and the female left to deposit her eggs, off two or three times a day, and the worms shifted which she will soon do on a small spot of the paper. once or twice before they begin to evince a com-The eggs will at first be of a yellow colour, but will mencement of their labours, which will be in eight become of a dark hue in the course of two or three or ten days from the mue. The last changing days. The papers should be carefully rolled togeshould, if possible, take place just before they begin ther, and wrapped round with a piece of cloth, to to climb, and the fumigation used at the same time, keep them dry, and placed in a cool cellar, to reand as often before as the state of the atmosphere main until they are wanted for the ensuing season. in the room seems to require it. am not prepared to say, whether any advantage It will not be difficult to discover when the in- would be derived from attempting two crops in the sects have arrived at maturity. It may be known by same season, which the length of our summers and many indications. By their crawling over the fresh the property of the mulberry to reproduce its leaves, leaves without nibbling them, and raising their would enable us to do. Circumstances prevented heads as if they had other wants. They become me from making the experiment last summer; but almost transparent, especially on the back, and their an acquaintance who tried it, tells me the cocoons necks are shrivelled or wrinkled. Their bodies were very small. It is probable, the excessive heat have a pulp-like appearance, and become shorter and may be prejudicial to the insects. I will, however, thicker. They are also more disposed to roam than make the attempt this season, and advise those who hitherto, and begin to leave silky traces on the have the facilities, to do the same. papers as they pass over them. I there are not unemployed females and children, whose services might thus be rendered productive, and who, in this light and interesting occupation, would meet a better reward for their industry in two months, than the various small objects on which they now bestow it, would obtain for them in twelve. They will find it a pursuit, uniting amusement with the prospect of gain, and particularly adapted to those situations of life, where capital is scarce and employment uncertain. The success which has rewarded our enterprise in many of the useful arts, so long considered as peculiar to European ingenuity, encourages me to believe, that this important branch may be advantageously undertaken-prompted to it, as we are, by the suitableness of our climate, the luxuriance of our foliage, and the increasing necessities of our population. W. B. BUCHANAN. Warren, March, 1828. AGRICULTURE, (From a late English paper.) AGRICULTURE, TRADE, &c. Dieman's Land is twenty bushels; and the expense The average product of an acre of wheat in Van of production, independent of quit-rent, is 41. 10s. territories, from whose stem, when divided, there wholesome water. The natives know this well, and issues a copious vegetable spring of limpid and hence we rarely meet with an entire plant. It is a powerful climber, and is quite new and non-descript. A shrub has been discovered in our new Indian At the late Edinburgh agricultural meeting, at which above three bundred noblemen and gentlemen attended, Sir John Sinclair addressed the party after breakfast, and informed them that a great part of the bread which they had been eating was composed chiefly of potato flour, and if the public would be contented with such bread, Britain never would require a bushel of foreign grain. To obtain the silk from the cocoons, requires a reel It will now be necessary to afford them the means of a particular construction, and as the produce of of forming their cocoons, which may be done, by the number of worms that will be attended by any cutting from the young chestnut trees the extremi individual this year, will probably be but small, it ties of their branches, which are well supplied will be better to let them come to perfection, that a with leaves, and sticking them in holes bored in the stock of eggs may be provided for another season. bottom of the upper shelf, so that they may extend For the gratification of curiosity, and to shew Accounts from the Cape of Good Hope mention down to the lower one, and a few of the leaves rest that this operation is not attended with great diffi- a great improvement in the wines of that colony; thereon, that the worms may reach them and climb culty, a few skeins may be run off, by means of the some of the planters, who had looked more to quaconveniently. The upper shelf may be provided ordinary winding apparatus used in family manu-lity than to quantity, have been induced to adopt for, by stretching a line over it, to which the boughs facture. Having first stripped the cocoons of the the French and German system in their vineyards, may be suspended and allowed to hang down in the bur, they are to be thrown into a vessel of hot and the result has exceeded the most sanguine exsame manner. These boughs must not be placed water, the proper temperature of which is to be pectations. It is a singular fact, that much white too thick at first, lest they interfere with the insects found by experience. If too great, it will render Cape has been imported into France, and after prothat are not yet disposed to mount, and prevent them the thread brittle; if not warm enough to dissolve per reduction by means of full-bodied wines of nafrom finding their food, which must still be furnish the gummy matter which abounds in it, it will come tive growth, been sold to English connoisseurs as ed them, diminishing the quantity in proportion to off with difficulty. A few degrees below the boiling genuine East India Madeira. their numbers. The shelves should be frequently point will be most suitable, and when this is attainvisited at this period, and boughs continually sus ed, the balls are to be stirred round with a small pended over such places as require them. If a whisp, or the feathered end of a quill, until the straggler be found remote from the branches, it may threads attach to it; lifting these, and drawing them be gently lifted and laid near them, and when any a few times with the hands, the balls remaining on of these appear crowded, they may be removed, the water until they run well, they may be made with the worms on them, and suspended in some fast to the reel and wound off without trouble, if other part of the room, supplying their places with only two or three cocoons are united to form the fresh ones. In this manner the insects are not op- thread. This will be sufficient to ascertain the quapressed, and the air can better circulate among them, which it should be permitted to do freely, so soon as they have enveloped themselves in their cocoons. A few worms may require to be fed for some days after the rest have completed their cocoons, and lity of the silk, though for the purposes of the ma- THE POTATO. The history of the potato conveys to us a most instructive lesson, forcibly reminding us of the extraordinary lengths to which prejudice will carry mankind, and showing us by what apparently trivial circumstances this prejudice is often removed, when the most powerful and influential arguments have failed to weaken it. The introduction of this valuable root to the gardens and tables of the people, received, for more than two centuries, an unexampled opposition from vulgar prejudices, which all the philosophy of the age was unable to dissipate, until Louis XV. of France wore a bunch of the flowers of the potato in the midst of his court on a day of festivity; the people then, for the first time, obse-recommended, particularly for invalids. It may be eyes and scrape off the skin, which contains much quiously acknowledged its usefulness, and its culti- taken either with or without milk. 4th. Converting of that black liquid with which raw potatoes are so vation, as an article of food, soon became universal. the farina into jelly, and then mixing it with wheat- much impregnated; then grate them by a hand Now, its stalk, considered as a textile plant, pro- en flour, in the manufacture of bread. This "Fa-grater; then, by any common strainer, separate the duces, in Austria, a cottony flax. In Sweden, sugar rina Bread," as it may be called, is pleasant to eat, farina from the fibre; then wash these substances is extracted from its roots. By combustion its dif-light, and easily digested, and any defects in the separately seven or eight times, until the water beferent parts yield a considerable quantity of potass. flour, arising from an unfavourable season, are cor- comes quite clear; then dry them separately in a Its apples, when ripe, ferment and yield vinegar by rected, by the rich and glutinous matter thus incor- stove, or before the fire, or in the sun, and weigh exposure, or spirit by distillation. Its tubercles porated with it. This is a new idea, which fortu- them. When the farina is quite dry, take a pormade into pulp, are a substitute for soap in bleach-nately occurred to the author of this paper; and it tion of it to the amount of two table spoonsfull, ing. Cooked by steam, the potato is one of the is perhaps the greatest discovery that has recently damp it with cold water, and convert it into jelly most wholesome and nutritious, and, at the same been made in baking, for it renders the flour of even by boiling water, stirring it about while on the fire, time, the most economical of all vegetable aliments. new wheat fit for immediate consumption. It is and mixing with it a couple of table spoonsfull, By different manipulations it furnishes two kinds of proper here to observe, that the value of the farina, either of wheaten flour or oat meal. This diet, with flour, a gruel, and a parenchyma, which, in times of when converted into jelly as food, has not been suf- a little milk, is cheap and wholesome, particularly scarcity, may be made into bread, or applied to in- ficiently appreciated. It thus undergoes a chemical for the young, the aged, and the sickly. To healthy crease the bulk of bread from grain; and its starch process, which seems greatly to augment its nutri-people, the addition of bread, cheese, or meat will is little, if at all, inferior to the Indian arrow-root. tive powers. This may be partly owing to the fa- be required. The fibre may either be ground into Such are the numerous resources which this invalu- rina being cleared of that dark and bitter liquid with meal, or made into puddings; or, with wheaten flour, able plan is calculated to furnish. which it is originally impregnated, instead of which, into bread, after the recipe of Mr. Jefcoat, of Newit is incorporated with pure and wholesome water, castle. It would be very desirable to ascertain the INCREASED CULTIVATION OF THE POTATO RECOM-all the particles of which, when gelatinized, become expense of a meal to a full grown-up person, as convertible into animal matter, by the efforts of the thus prepared. stomach. MENDED. Directions to be observed in making bread with the fibre of Potatoes-by Mr. Jefcoat, of Gateshead, Newcastle, (Tyne.) To six pounds of potato fibre, add the usual quantity of yeast; put into that a pint hour, or longer, if convenient, to ferment. Then work a stone of wheat flour into the mixture, adding the usual portion of salt. If the dough should be too stiff, work in a little water; let it stand a litthe longer to heave, before it is put into the oven to bake. An excellent pudding may be made with the potato fibre thus: Boil a pound of it in a quart of skim milk for half an hour, then add two ounces of suet minced small, two or three eggs, and sweeten it as a rice pudding; then take it, or place it to brown before the fire. We observe, by an Edinburg paper, that Sir John Sinclair has just published a series of calculations, II. The Fibre.-The fibre of the potato is of much on the produce and value of a potato crop, and on inferior value to the farina. At 1d. per lb. 1350 lbs. the means by which an increased cultivation of that of fibre would produce 51. 12s. 6d. and d. 21. 16s. valuable vegetable may render the country indepen- 3d. With a mixture of wheaten flour, it makes ex-of warm water, mix them well, and let it stand an dent of a foreign aid for food in case of need. Sir cellent household bread or puddings, and is likewise John declares his objects to be, 1. To excite a spirit applicable to various other useful purposes; for, for the cultivation of potatoes: 2. To ascertain the thoroughly washed, it may be given to cows, or best sorts: 3. To discover the best modes of ob-pigs, and, if dried, to horses. taining and preserving the farina of potatoes: 4. To III. Value of an acre of Potatoes compared with establish manufactories for making farina: 5. To Wheat.-The value of an English acre of potatoes, communicate to bakers the advantage of using po- therefore, the farina at 3d. per lb. and the fibre at tatoes properly prepared: and, 6. To impress on 1d, is 401.: at 2d. per lb. for the farina, and 1d. per the public mind the superiority of the species of lb. for the fibre, amounts to 281. 10s. 10d., and at bread recommended, on the score of health. Hav- the low rate of 1d. per lb. for the farina, and d. for ing here stated the substance of the worthy baro- the fibre, would be 141. 5s. 6d.-Wheat, that great net's wishes upon the subject, we proceed to lay object of the farmer at present, can bear no combefore the reader of the Chronicle his "calculations." parison with a crop of potatoes in point of value. He tells us thatStating the produce at 24 bushels per English acre, moderate quantity to dung, say at the rate of 20 and the price at even 7s. per bushel, it would only bushels per acre, adds considerably to the potato amount to 81. 8s. per English, and 101. 18s. 24d. per crop, by assisting the decomposition of the dung, Scotch acre, to which from 21. to 21. 10s. per acre and by imbibing moisture from the atmosphere, and may be added as the value of the straw. But still retaining it. In dry soils and seasons, this is found the value of a crop of wheat is inferior, and in many peculiarly beneficial. The addition of salt, in the cases cannot be obtained without a previous year's same rate, (or of sea-ware where it can be had,) fallow; while during its growth, it is unfortunately mixed with the dung, would be of the most essenliable to numerous risks, from insects, diseases, pre-tial bencfit to the crop of turnips. carious harvests, &c. An English acre of potatoes, when properly cultivated, produces, on an average, 216 bushels, which, at 75 lbs. per bushel, amounts, in all, 16,200 lbs. per acre. Of this weight, only one-fourth consists of solid matter, either, 1. Farina or flour; or 2, Fibre. I. The Farina-The quantity of farina varies according to the sort,-the soil,-and the season; but, on the whole, it may be stated, that about one-sixth part of the contents of the raw potato consists of farina, and the half of that weight of fibre. The produce of an English acre of potatoes, therefore, contains of 2,750 lbs. 1,350 " 4,100 " 12,100 " 16,200 " Farina Solid matter Total It has been ascertained that salt added in COTTON TRADE. [The Editor of the (Huntsville) Southern Advocate of the 21st ult. in publishing the article on "the present state and future prospects of the cotton market," which appeared in the American Farmer of the 14th ult. vol. 9, p. 411-makes the following judicious suggestions.] "The fact is, the cotton market is overstocked, and must inevitably continue so, as long as the article is cultivated to such increasing amount, as it has been for several years past. IV. Number of acres in Potatoes equal to a million of quarters of Wheat.-We shall next proceed to calculate the number of acres, which, if cultivated with potatoes, would supply all the materials necessary to be employed in the manufacture of bread, and would render us independent of other nations for that essential article. The average annual consumption of wheat in this country is calculated to be ten millions of quarters, every ounce of which might be raised in this country, if its agriculture were adequately encouraged. But let us suppose, The farina of an acre of potatoes, at 3d. per lb. that it may become necessary to procure even a would produce 341. 7s. 6d.: at 2d. 221. 18s. 4d.: and million of quarters from foreign countries. To raise at id. 111. 9s. 2d. There are four modes in which that million of quarters at 24 bushels per acre, would the farina might be used as food. 1st. Mixing it require about $30,000 acres. But an acre of potawith wheaten flour, in its dry state, in the manufac- toes, would feed more than double the number of ture of bread. But in this shape it is difficult to do human beings when contrasted with an acre of it equally, or to preserve it properly mixed with the wheat; consequently, only 165,000 acres in potatoes wheaten flour in baking, owing to its greater weight. would prevent the necessity of any importation of "The supposed consumption of the whole of Eu2. Converting it into jelly, in the same manner as foreign wheat, for making bread. rope and the United States, is estimated at 1,250,000 arrow root, and taking it with milk for breakfast or doubted, for a moment, that it would be practica- bales. Take then the crop of the United States for supper. 3d. Farina jelly, however, being rich and ble, if necessary, to procure many times that amount. the year 1827, and let it increase in the same ratio glutinous by itself, it is a great improvement, when HINTS TO THE Directors of PUBLIC ESTABLISH- for three succeeding years, that it has in those preit is boiling, gradually to mix with it one or two table MENTS- as to the best means of employing Potatoes ceding, and it will be more than sufficient to supply spoonsful of wheaten flour, oatmeal, barleymeal, as Food, to the persons under their management. the whole demand, of the consumers, without tak ground rice, or the flour of Indian corn, stirring it (From Sir John Sinclair.) The Directors of any ing into consideration the large quantities raised in all the time, that the two substances may be tho- public establishment might easily try the following South America, the West Indies and other places. roughly incorporated. This makes a pleasant, nour-experiment: Get any quantity (a sack or a boll,) "It is in vain to answer this, by saying that the ishing and substantial diet, which cannot be too much of potatoes, and wash them; then scoop out the consumption of cotton goods will increase in pro It cannot be "To prove this position we have only to advert for a moment to a short statement of facts. The total crop of cotton in the United States "For the year 1824-5 1825-6 1826-7 569,240 bales, 720,027 66 957,281 66 |