terms. well to append to the present paper, an explanation its own entrails, and as there was a scarcity of bait, Definitions. Cumulus.-Large irregular masses of clouds, like volumes of smoke, or distant mountains, having generally a flattened base. Cirrus. Curl cloud. This form is that of the highest clouds in the atmosphere, having often the appearance of hair, and never moving rapidly. Cirro-cumulus.-A mixture of the two preceding; or, more correctly, two distinct strata of clouds, frequently moving in opposite directions, and often with a most elegant curdled aspect. Cirro-stratus.-Distant clouds formed into thin narrow continuous strata, lying horizontally. Stratus, or the Fall cloud, is a dense fog reaching the surface of the earth. Nimbus. Is the ultimate form of clouds, when they have coalesced into one dark impervious mass, overspreading the heavens, and descending in rain, snow or sleet. In future, I shall note at the bottom of my tables the days on which the moon changes, fulls, and quarters, in order to detect any coincidence, if any exists, which I doubt, between the phases of that planet and the revolution of the earth's atmosphere. WILLIAM DARBY. [Paisley Advertiser. Interesting fact stated before the Merrimack (New Hampshire) Agricultural Society, October 15, 1828. "Lieutenant Amos Abbot, of Concord, owns part of the hill where our State Prison stones are quarried. The whole of this hill was considered by the old proprietors of that town as of little value-and believe the sections owned by Mr. Abbott cost him less than fifty cents per acre. I "In July, 1823, he sold from his tract a single rock in its native state for $105. Mr. Parker, the purchaser, sold it rough split, in the yard of our State Prison, to the Warden, for $1300, who realized for it in Boston, $6,129. This single rock made 10,500 feet of facing stone and ornamental work-and the aggregate weight of all the blocks (smooth hewn) was 550 tons, it having lost only 50 tons in being prepared for the market, after it was brought to the prison yard. PAINTING HOUSES. A writer in the New England Farmer says, it has been proved by repeated experiments "that a house painted late in autumn or in winter, will hold the paint more than twice as long as one painted in warm weather." And he gives as a reason, that in cold weather the oil and other ingredients form a hard cement, whereas in warm weather the oil penetrates into the wood and leaves the other parts dry so that they crumble off. This is a subject worthy the attention, as the expense of keeping them well painted has hitherto been a serious inroad upon the purse. A SHOWER OF HERRINGS!-A remarkable, though not unprecedented, occurrence, happened on Monday last in the neighbouring county of Ross. As Major Forbes Mackenzie of Fodderty, in Strathpeffer, was traversing a field on his farm, he was not a little surprised to find a considerable portion of the ground covered with herring fry, of from three to four inches each in length. The fish were fresh and entire, and had no appearance of being THE TOAD.-It has been frequently observed dropt by birds-a medium by which they must have that this reptile has been found in situations which been bruised and mutilated. The only rational must preclude the possibility of its existing by the conjecture that can be formed of the circumstance ordinary means of air and food. That this is a fact is, that the fish were transported thither in a water- has been fully demonstrated by the following cirspout-a phenomenon that has before occurred in cumstance:-A person of Highworth found, on the this county, and which is by no means uncommon in 20th of May, 1826, a small toad in his garden, which tropical climates. The frith of Dingwall lies at the he took and inclosed in a common garden pot, so distance of three miles from the place in question; as to render it air tight, and buried the same in the but no obstruction occurs between the field and the ground. On the 14th of May, 1828, he, in the presea-the whole is a level strath, or plain,—and wasence of a friend, examined the prison of the capterspouts have been known to carry even farther tive, when he found its solitary inmate not only than this. Major Mackenzie has forwarded a small alive, but hearty, and apparently in a thriving conquantity of the fish to the secretary of the Northern dition, as it had grown very considerably, and the Institution. We have just inspected them, and lustre of its beautiful eyes appeared to be not a can assure our readers, that though the fry would whit diminished by its long incarceration. go but a small way towards satisfying a few hungry gillies, they will abundantly gratify the curiosity of every visiter. [English paper. As an instance of extraordinary tenacity of muscular life in some of the fish tribes, a gentleman lately returned from the Highlands informs us, that while fishing for whiting, he caught a large dog-fish, (a species of shark,) which, from its ferocity and struggles, had to be decapitated before the hook could be extracted. The head being completely severed from the trunk, the gentleman thought there could be no cruelty in disembowelling it, in order to see whether or not such a voracious creature had been devouring the more helpless tenants of the deep. Accordingly, the abdomen was laid open, and the stomach being ripped up, was found empty. The trunk was laid down in the boat, wallowing in 66 STATISTICS. In the notice of the work of M. BALBI, called The Political Balance of the Globe," which we find in the Journal des Debats of the 27th September, the following tables are extracted, purporting to shew the power and resources of the principal nations of the civilized world, as compared with their respective population: Proportion between the amount of Revenue and Po- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ire- $13.00 6.00 5 1-5 31-2 22-5 21-10 11-5 Empire of Russia, excluding Poland, Austria, United States of America, $174.00 127.00 29.00 9.00 7.00 5 9-10 4 1-12 Russia, excluding Poland, Prussia, Great Britain and Ireland, Inhabitants. 57 80 118 188 142 229 1977 Inhabitants. Proportion of the Naval Force to the Population. Austria, 82,979 154,640 170,566 299,909 $16,000 700,000 2,909,091 This is a curious, and not uninteresting view of the various powers enumerated; and if the same accuracy be evinced with regard to the other calculations, which is exhibited in those relating to the United States, it must be deemed authentic. TEMPERANCE. A society for the promotion of temperance, has been formed at Glastenbury, in Connecticut. A meeting was held on the 29th ult. and resolutions adopted to regulate the conduct and practice of its members. They declare their belief that the moBritish Iron Trade.-By a statement in a late derate use of ardent spirits is, for persons in health, English paper it appears that nearly 700,000 tons not only unnecessary, but injurious; that it is the of iron are made every year in Great Britain-va-cause of intemperate appetite and habits, and that lued at 6,297,000 pounds sterling. In making this while it continues, intemperance, with its wideestimate of the value of the trade, the writer spread and desolating evils, can never be preventmerely takes into account the coarser kinds of the ed. The members adopted the following resoluarticle. Undoubtedly the finer manufactures of tions, and agreed to abide by the same. Sheffield and Birmingham, if added to the above, Resolved, That we will ourselves wholly abstain would greatly swell the amount. This immense from the use of distilled spirits, except as a medisum is derived, it is affirmed, from the minerals of cine, in case of bodily infirmity; and that we will Great Britain alone-no foreign ingredient whatever not allow the use of them in our families, nor offer being employed in the manufacture-and, what is them for the entertainment of our friends or visiequally creditable to the character of the iron trade ters. of that country, almost the whole amount of the money thus obtained, is distributed among the artizans engaged in that business. [Boston Bulletin. Resolved, That the custom which requires the employer to provide ardent spirits for the labourer, is unreasonable and destructive, and that we will not hereafter offer them to labourers or mechanics in our employment, unless in cases when we conscientiously and deliberately believe it to be our duty. Resolved, That in future we will conscientiously endeavour, so far as possible, to employ only such persons as do wholly abstain from the use of ardent spirits. THE FARMER. BALTIMORE, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1828. A catalogue of fruit trees, for sale by Caleb R. Smith, of Burlington, New Jersey, may be seen at the office of the American Farmer. Mr. Smith's establishment has been highly recommended by Mr. Coxe, (author of that valuable work on fruit trees,) than whom there can be no better judge, nor one more worthy of confidence. SOUTHERN EXPEDITION. a The sloop of war Peacock, which has been fitting at New York for the purpose of proceeding on voyage of discovery into the Antarctic seas, is now stated to be ready, and waiting for her officers and crew. articles of interest are those relating to the mar- LIVERPOOL MARKETS. 2000 bbls. prime turpentine have been sold this week at 11s 3d per cwt. Wheat in bond per 70 lbs. 9s 6d a 10s 6d; flour do. per bbl. 40 a 42s; Indian corn per qr. 38 a 40s; Ashes, N. York, Pot 31 a 32s; do Pearl 30 a 32; Rice in bond 17 a 20s; Quer. Bark 12s to 13s 6d, Clover seed 46 a 62s; Turpentine 9s 6d a 11s Sd; Tar, 10 a 12s; Tobacco, Va. leaf 24 a 5; do stemmed 24 a 5; Kentucky leaf 2 a 84; stemmed 24 a 4; U. States Bank shares 251. BALTIMORE PRICES CURRENT. Corrected for the American Farmer, by Edward J. Willson & Co. Commission Merchants and Planters' Agents, (From the Liverpool Chronicle, Nov. 8.) No. 4, Borvly's wharf. SUGAR, &c. Our sugar market has been very TOBACCO.--Scrubs, $3.00 a 6.00-ordinary, 3.00 a 8.00 quiet this weeks, only 500 hhds. having been sold-red, 3.50 a 4.50-fine red, 5.00 a 7.00-wrapping, at former rates, 54s for low brown to 71s for fiue. 5.00 a 9.00-Ohio ordinary, 3.00 a 4.00-good red spanNothing has been done in foreign East India. 250 gled, 4.00 a 7.00-yellow, 4.00 a 9.00-fine yellow, 10.00 casks Molasses have changed hands at 26s 6d for a 20.00-Virginia, 2.50 a 8.00-Rappahannock 2.75 a Antigua, and 27s for Demerara. About 200 casks 3.50-Kentucky, 3.00 a 5.00. of Coffee have been taken at full prices, and 350 Howard-st. 8.00 a 8.50; city mills, 7.75 a 8.00; SusqueFLOUR-white wheat family, $9.50 à 10.00-superfine bags St. Domingo at 36s 6d. hanna, 8.00-CORN MEAL, per bbl. 2.75-GRAIN, best DRY SALTERIES, &c.-In consequence of the red wheat, 1.65 a 1.75-best white wheat, 1.75 a 1.85— holders of Ashes advancing their prices, the busi- ord'y to good, 1.45 a 1.65--CORN, old, .48 a .50-new ness has been confined to small purchases, amount- corn, .44 a .46-in ear, bbl. 2.00 a 2.25-RYE, bush. .50 a ing to not more than 200 bbls. of Pot and Pearl..55-OATS .23 a.26-BEANS .75 a 1.25-PEAS.45.55— Little has been done in Indigo at Liverpool, the CLOVER SEED, 5.00 a 5.50-TIMOTHY, 1.75 a 2.25-ORCHoperations having been confined to London, at a ARD GRASS 1.75 a 2.50-Herd's 1.00 a 1.50-Lucerne 371 We mentioned yesterday, (says the New York slight advance on the recently finished Company's a .50 lb.-BARLEY, .60 a 62-FLAXSEED, .75 a .80-COT. Mercantile Advertiser of 5th inst.) the appointment sale; 300 chests are advertised for Thursday next, TON, Va. .9.11-Lou. .13 a 14-Alabama, .10.11of Capt. JONES to the command of the Discovery the 16th inst., but it is supposed 180 will not be of- Mississippi.11.13-North Carolina,.10 a.11-Geor Expedition. We since learn that Capt. BENJAMIN fered. Of Saltpetre, the transactions are respecta-a.264-WOOL, common, unwashed, lb..15 a.16-washgia, .9 a.10-WHISKEY, hhds. 1st proof, .25-bbls. .26 PENDLETON, of Stonington, is appointed directing ble at very full prices. In Mediterranean produce, ed, .18 a .20-crossed, .20 a .22-three-quarter,.25 a pilot of the expedition, with the rank and pay of a the sales in Olive Oil are 140 tons Gallipoli, Sicily,.30-full do..30 a .50, accord'g to qual.-HEMP, Russia, Lieutenant in the Navy. All who are acquainted and Malaga, at a further advance in price. with these gentlemen, will admit that the Secretary Corn Exchange, Nov. 5.-Arrivals since Monday: of the Navy has made judicious selections. We English Wheat, 2600 quarters; Barley, 2650 qrs.; understand the Expedition will consist of the sloop Flour, 3100 sacks; Irish Oats, 700 qrs. Foreign of war Peacock, lately re-built, under the eye of Wheat, 1950 qrs.; Barley, 150 qrs. Commodore Chauncey; and two brigs, well adapted for the service. With such an expedition well equipped, and such appointments, backed by the persevering and meritorious J. N. REYNOLDS, with other gentlemen we have heard mentioned, the government and country has every thing to expect from its results. To the Southern Planters, FARMERS, AND INN- Under an authority duly received, I will also put up, when required, the apparatus for the pumping of water and for the cutting of straw, with a wheel worked by a Pointer dog, as in use at the Orange Farm, near Baltimore. Letters, post paid, directed to me in Charleston, South Carolina; Savannah, Georgia; Mobile, Alabama; will receive immediate attention. WILLIAM COPPUCK, Culinary Projector, Baltimore. The Editor has long known Mr. Coppuck, and can commend him to the confidence of his readers for uncommon experience and skill in the execution of what he proposes above.] LATEST FROM EUROPE. The packet ship Alexander, arrived at Philadelphia on Sunday, with London papers to the 6th, and Liverpool to the 8th November. They contain no political intelligence of importance, and the only ton, $210 & 212; Country, dew-rotted, 136 a 140-waterrotted, 170 a 190-FISH, Shad, Susquehanna, No. 1, bbl. 5.75; do. trimmed, 6.50-North Carolina, No. 1, 6.25 6.50-Herrings, No. 1, bbl. 2.871 a 3.00; No. 2, 2.25 a 2.50-Mackerel, No. 1, 5.50; No. 2, 5.00; No. 3, 4.00 -BACON, hams, Baltimore cured, .10 a 11; do. E. Shore, .12-hog round, cured, .7 a .8-Pork, 4.50 a 5.50— Feathers, .26 a .28-Plaster Paris, cargo price per ton, $3.37 a 3.50-ground, 1.25 bbl.; grass fed prime Beef, 3.50 a 5.00. Extract of a letter from Liverpool, 8th November, 1828. a 6.00. CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER. The Corn markets have been dull since our last, The Horse; Veterinary Operations, from Loudon's and prices of free grain have declined 4d a 6d per Encyc. of Agric.-Florida, its adaptation, even on its of the heavy supply of bonded grain, which must and Culture of, the New Zealand Spinage, by Mbush, which is attributed chiefly to the anticipation cultural Society of Moscow-Fat Ox--On the Value Northern Boundary, to the production of Sugar-Agribonded wheat are fully supported, and flour in bond cultural Societies-Miami Canal-Devotion-Chymical shortly be brought upon the markets. Prices of chael Floy-The Mulberry-Keeping Apples-Horti would no doubt command 40s a 42s per barrel. The Experiment-Poetry, Truth, Youth, Age; Sleep-Pediaverage of wheat for the week ending 31st ult. was 728 6d, and the aggregate average of the six weeks 69s 10d, making the present duty 13s 8d per qr. for wheat, and about 8s 3d per bbl. for flour. The speculators generally, still hold with firmness, but as we before remarked, it is impossible to say what effect may be produced, when the bonded grain and flour becomes admissible at an almost nominal duty. Indian corn continues dull. The advance in ashes has quite suspended the demand. Early in the week an extensive business was done in tobacco, at a further advance of 1-8 a per lb. but very little has been done the last few days, owing to holders demanding higher rates gree of Jenny Cameron-On the Origin of the present Race of Hounds; The Talbot, or Blood Hound, continued-Items from Bell's Life in London; Trotting Match; The Canine Fancy; Pigeon Shooting; PedestrianismMeteorological Observations in Montgomery county, Maryland, by Wm. Darby-A Shower of Herrings-Tenacity of Muscular Life-Valuable Stone--On Painting Houses-The Toad-British Iron Trade-StatisticsTemperance-Editorial-Foreign Prices-Prices Current of Country Produce. Printed every Friday, at Five Dollars per annum, for JOHN S. SKINNER, Editor, by JOHN D. Toy, corner of St. Paul and Market streets, where printing of every description is neatly executed. No. 41.-VOL. 10.] AGRICULTURE. AMERICAN FARMER-BALTIMORE, DECEMBER 26, 1828. (From Loudon's Encyclopædia of Agriculture.) THE VETERINARY PHARMACOPEIA. The following formula for veterinary practice have been compiled from the works of the most eminent veterinary writers of the present day, as Blaine, Clark, Laurence, Peel, White, &c.; and we can from our own experience also, confidently recommend the selection to the notice of agriculturists, and the owners of horses in general. It would be prudent for such as have many horses, and particularly for such as live at a distance from the assistance of an able veterinarian, to keep the more necessary articles by them in case of emergence: some venders of horse drugs keep veterinary medicine chests; and where the compositions can be depended on, and the uncompounded drugs are genuine and good, one of these is a most convenient appendage to every stable. The best arranged veterinary medicine chest we have seen, was in London, at the veterinary elaboratory of Youatt, of Nassau street, Middlesex Hospital. Castor oil, four ounces. Astringent Balls for Diabetes or Pissing Evil. Conserve of roses to make a ball. The veterinary pharmacopeia for oxen, calves, and sheep has been included in the arrangement. When any speciality occurs, or where distinct recipes are requisite, they have been carefully noticed; it will, therefore only be necessary to be kept in mind, that with the exception of acrid substances, as mineral acids, &c., which no cattle bear with equal impunity with the horse, the remedies prescribed require about the following proportions. A large ox will bear the proportions of a moderate sized horse; a moderate sized cow something less; a calf about a third of the quantity; and a sheep about a quarter, or at most a third of the proportions directed for Verdigris, of each half an ounce. White vitriol, the cow. It is also to be remarked, that the degrees in strength in the different recipes, are usual-Alum, of each half a drachm. ly regulated by their numbers, the mildest standing Tar, three ounces: mix. first. Resin, do. Palm oil or lard, two lbs. 321 Melt the three latter articles together, and when not too hot stir in the Spanish flies. 2. A strong cheap Blister, but not proper to be used in Resin, of each, one lb. Oil of turpentine, three ounces. Melt the resin with the lard or palm oil. Having previously mixed the oil of vitriol with an ounce of water gradually, as gradually add this mixture to the melted mass; which again set on a very slow fire for ten minutes more: afterwards remove the whole, and when beginning to cool, add the powders previously mixed together. 3. A Mercurial Blister for Splints, Spavins, and Ringbones. Of either of the above, four ounces. Astringent Paste for Thrush, Foot-rot, Foul in the strain off, and add the oil. Prepared calamine, 1. 5. Mild Liquid or Sweating Blister. Of the above, one ounce. Olive oil or goose grease, one a half ounce. Clysters, a Laxative one. 1. Astringent washes for cracks in the heels, wounds, &c. Thin gruel or broth, five quarts. Sugar of lead, two drachms. 2. | Green vitriol, one drachm. Infusion of galls, half a pint. Mix, and wash the parts three times a day. Prepared calamine, one ounce. 2. Pour over them oil of turpentine, two ounces. Nutritious Clyster. Mix, and put within gauze, and dab the moist Thickened milk, two quarts. surfaces of the sores frequently. Astringent Clyster. Nitre, of each four drachms. Fever Drink. 3. Sweet spirit of nitre, one ounce. Epidemic Fever Drink. 4. Sweet spirit of nitre, one ounce. Malignant Epidemic Fever. Simple oxymel, Mindererus spirit, 5. Beer yeast, of each four ounces. Oil of vitriol, three ounces. then, having before mixed the vitriol and water Put the mixed manganese and salt into a bason; very gradually, pour them by means of tongs, or any thing that will enable you to stand at a sufficient distance, on the articles in the bason gradually. As soon as the fumes rise, retire and shut up the door close. Hoof Liquid. Oil of turpentine, four ounces. Tar, four ounces. Whale oil, eight ounces. This softens and toughens the hoofs extremely, when brushed over them night and morning. Dissolve the mercury in the spirit, and then add the decoctions. Ointments for Healing. 1. Turner's cerate, four ounces. White vitriol, powdered, half a drachm. Lard, four ounces. For Digesting. 2. Turner's cerate, two ounces. For Mange. Mix, and dress with every morning. For Scab or Shab in Sheep, Mallenders and Sellen- Mercurial ointment, one ounce. (From the Southern Agriculturist.) On the Culture of Sugar-by EDW. BARNWELL. Beaufort, September 18th, 1828. DEAR SIR,-Several encouraging statements in the Gazettes of this State and Georgia, and one particularly so in your Agricultural number for April, having attracted the attention of a few planters of this neighbourhood, to the culture of the sugar cane, a short excursion, as far as the Turtle River, in Georgia, was thought the best means of ascertaining the probability of cultivating this article with success in this state. With the hope that a few days of personal observation would be worth more than onths of lettered communications, or perhaps years of experiments, a visit was made by myself to several of the sugar establishments at the southward, during the first half of the month of May, and the observations resulting therefrom, I now forward for such purpose as you may think proper. One plantation upon Hutchinson's Island, opposite the city of Savannah, and subjected by purchase of that city, to dry culture, had only a few acres of ribband cane, growing solely for the purpose of furnishing seed for ensuing years. The proprietor ceased an extensive culture here, in consequence of failures, which, he has it in bis power now, and intends to guard against in future. heite, or common green cane. Mix. The watery tincture of aloes is made by Five plantations, on the Altamaha, were tide beating powdered aloes with the yolk of egg, add-lands, under bank, and grew the ribband and Otaing water by degrees; by these means half an ounce of aloes may be suspended in eight ounces of water; and such a purge is useful when a ball cannot be got down, as in partial locked jaw. Scalding Mixture for Pole Evil. Corrosive sublimate, finely powdered, one drachm. Yellow basilicon, four ounces. One, on common high land, a few miles from Darien, grew the same. One, upon a branch of the Turtle River, upon high inland swamp, grew only the ribband. But one upon Sapele Island grew three kinds, the green, the ribband, and a rare species called the yellow ribband. No decided preference has yet been determined upon by he planters, as to these different species, from the folowing peculiarities attached to them. The juice of the cane is well known to con Wash for coring out, destroying Fungus, or proud tain water, mucilagimus gum, a gross, an essential Flesh, &c. &c. oil, and sugar, and yelds these ingredients in proportion to the richnes of the juice, and this depends much upon the dryness and richness of the soil in which it is cultivated. The great difficulty in manufacturing sweet,bright sugar, is to get rid of the water, gum and ds very quickly, as well as effectually. The green cane yields e greatest product of su gar, is not very hard to grind, stands the frosts bet-found it on the 21st of May as well grown as any ga, with an account of its use, other than as starch, ter than the yellow ribband, and ripens at the same seen at the south, but not so well shooted; this may with a request, that experiments may be made of time. But the sugar is not very bright, sweet, or be attributed to my planting as late as the 1st of it, by some of the medical faculty; and as a samdry, in consequence of the juice being poorer, the March. The frosts which prevailed so generally, ple was sent to the Massachusetts Hospital, for the water, gum and oils more abundant, and more diffi- and so late as the 6th April, cut many of the shoots, same purpose, I have concluded to forward that eult to evaporate and extract. It also consumes a which were a foot in height, to the ground, many sent to me, to the directors of the Pennsylvania greater quantity of fuel, requires a longer time to half way, and many were not injured in the least, Hospital, with a request that they will be so kind boil, and thereby increases considerably the risk of although they had the appearance of being white-as to publish their opinion of its use in the Medical burning or discolouring the sugar. The sugar pro-washed, while the frost was upon them. This was Journal of the city, or in the Franklin Journal.duced by this cane requires a summer to drain it precisely the case upon the tide lands, on the Alta- As the account of the mode of extracting the fecufree of its molasses; besides, the foregoing objec- maha. The opinion of several planters was, that it la, which I received from Mr. Barrell, appeared in tions, has induced two of the planters upon tide did not impoverish the soil, as the field trash from the Franklin Journal, I should like to have the lands to boil only syrup. the cane is considerable. One square of many prospectus I enclose, inserted in that useful work, The yellow ribband yields very beautiful, dry acres, upon tide land, was pointed out, which had whether it is printed with the result of the experiand abundant sugar, is the sweetest cane, and is been cultivated in cane for fourteen years, without ments at the Hospital, in the Medical Journal, or easily ground. But it is very delicate, and does not any visible deficiency in its product. bear the frosts well. This species is not yet thoroughly tried, and only twenty acres are cultivated on the high lands of Sapelo Island. The success in making a profitable crop, appears 124 28 80 hhds. 8 25 1675 1400 not. As Mr. Barrell has evinced a commendable zeal to be useful to his country, it is but just that his good deeds should be known. If Doctors Physick and Chapman are not connected with the hospital, I desire that some of the fecula may be given to them, with the hope that they will try it, and give their opinion of its utility for the purposes named in the prospectus, which please to have copied and presented to them. With sincere respect and great esteem, Your most obed't serv't, (Signed,) 120 GERARD RALSTON, ESQ. 12 8 29 24 828 11 8 270 101 H. A. S. DEARBORN. - Prospectus of the Fecula of the Sweet Potato. The ribband (so called from having purple streaks, somewhat similar to the stalks of the Guinea corn) yields less sugar, and is very difficult to grind; but the juice is very rich and sweet, bright sugar more easily obtained, as there is more saccharine and less aqueous, mucilaginous, and oleaginous particles than Acres. Sugar. in the other two species. It also ripens earlier, and 1815 80 wet 134 hhds. bears the frosts better; my own opinion is in favour 1816 40 of this cane, and I think the Georgians, and the 1817 20 wet planters of the more southern latitudes will in time 1818 100 dry prefer it also. One of the Altamaha planters has a 1819 35 crop of seed sufficient to plant 500 acres the next 1820 401 year, and has sent for a steam power to express the 1821 18 This most useful discovery has taken place in juice effectually from the cane. It appears to be 1822 68 588 Malaga, the only part of this hemisphere where the opinion of most, if not all, the gentlemen I con- 1823 549 that admirable production of the earth, characterversed with upon the subject, that when cultivated 1824 861 ized by Linnæus, Convolvulus Batata, class 5, oras a large crop, the power of steam would be reder 3, of the convolvulus family, is to be found; quired for this essential purpose. Tide mills are and has been rewarded by his Catholic majesty uncertain, animals are liable to various accidents, with a patent of invention. This fecula, extracted are expensive, and often too weak. For, when the without fermentation or putrefaction, and for that erop is ripe, every exertion must be made to expereason wholly free from acidity, has been scrupudite its manufacture, and no delay for want of water lously analyzed by some of the most able professors or animals must be experienced. The cylinders to in pharmacy, commissioned for that purpose, who the mills in general were perpendicular; two that I have unanimously pronounced it superior to sago, saw were horizontal. This latter position, requiring tapioca, or any farinaceous substance hitherto disbevel wheels, demands more power, but as its evo- I omitted mentioning that it required at least one covered, without excepting the celebrated plant, lution is accelerated, it yields a much greater quan- cord of wood (good dry pine, light wood if possi-known by the name of Galanga Arundinacea, or tity of juice in a given time. Three to six yoke of ble,) per acre. One of the planters upon tide land, arrow root, from the extreme whiteness, suavity, oxen are driven at a time, and changed as often as who boils only syrup, makes 300 gallons per acre, and fineness of the molecula which compose it, (vifatigued. Perhaps four times in fourteen hours. and sells it in Savannah from 28 to 30 cents per sible only by the help of the microscope,) from its One or two of the establishments had copper boil-gallon. I found they were not in the practice of most digestible and nutrimental qualities, and, finalers, but iron have been found equally good and less burning the cane as fuel, but no care was bestowed ly, from being combined with the saccharine matexpensive. Hot and cold clarifiers were used, and in stacking it for drying, and preparing it for the ter, of which every other species of fecula is totalin some instances they were dispensed with en- next year; and in our wet winter months, it will ly void. tirely. Two of the mills had live oak cylinders, not dry sufficiently to make an active flame, which Thirty-five of the principal physicians and surthe other cast iron. One mill tried two cylinders in appears peculiarly necessary for the quick boiling geons of Malaga, including the director and proa horizontal position, but it proved inadequate to of the juice. fessors of the Royal College, and the physicianthe complete expression of the juice, although the Should you feel disposed to make any further in-general of the army, Dr. Andrew Vila, have attestcane was passed twice through. The tide lands quiries upon the subject of this communication, and ed, authentically, its sovereign efficacy in nervous flow their canals, and the cane is carried to the mill have it in my power, I will, with much pleasure, debilities; in the febrile tabes, or consumption, and in long narrow flats; upon high ground it is carted; furnish the answers, and remain, dear sir, yours, in the convalescent state; and as a medicine in and to manufacture an acre of cane per day, not very respectfully, &c. diarrhoea, dysenteries, and all disorders proceeding less than twenty or twenty-five hands would answer. from irritation in the stomach and intestinal canal. The culture of cane is precisely the same as of It has since been seen, with admiration, to cure, in corn. Planters upon high lands commence cutting a few days, the most inveterate gonorrhoeas; the their seed cane about the middle of October. That fluor albus, or whites, and excess in the menses; for seed, is by some pulled or hoed out, with the and has been found of admirable use as nourishroots attached, and thrown into the alleys for two Information and Prospectus respecting the Fecula of ment for children during lactation, substituted for or three days, that the blades may wilt; the product the Sweet Potato. Being a continuation of the ar-the food called pap, which frequently is attended of three or four rows are then put into one alley, and ticle on that subject, in the 5th vol. of the Franklin with such bad effects. well covered with earth to protect the eyes of the Journal-communicated by G. G. BARRELL, Esq., cane from frosts. In January or February they are Consul of the United States, at Malaga. cut into pieces containing three or four eyes, and planted in a good list about three inches deep. The roots are sometimes separated and planted, and apter of the fecula of the Sweet Potato, from G. G. My Dear Sir.-I have recently received a canispeared to promise well; but they are not considered Barrell, Esq., consul of the United States, at Mala very sure. The mildness of the last season, perhaps favoured their present success. The use of this excellent article, is not to be limited solely to the sick; the delicacy of its substance (attested by the most celebrated cooks and blanc-mange, and biscuits, particularly those termed confectioners in Spain,) rendering it of incomparable utility in pastry, fritters, &c.; and in custards, in Spanish Borrachuelos, which, composed of fecuwheat. la, are absolutely inimitable by the finest flour of The most common method of using it as a medicine, or as food, is as follows: |