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returning to it. In the morning lift a corner of the
cloth so as to make a small aperture to let out any
of the bees that should remain, and by striking the
pot as before, they will depart and join their com-
panions in the new settlement. It may be necessary
to feed the bees for a few days with sugar, and they
will proceed to work immediately after."

HAWTHORNS.

Newburgh, Feb. 17, 1829.

Messrs. Grant Thorburn & Son:

[MARCH 6, 1829.

co-operate with others. In this respect, the Committee forbear to express their views. For it is certain, that the community and the House, are di vided in opinion. While some conceive, that the projected Roads, should be strictly and solely a state object, others for various reasons, prefer a participation with individuals. In this state of the case, it seems at least, to be expedient, that the Commonwealth should embark to such an extent as not to hazard the loss of the object altogether.

New York, Dec. 27, 1828. SIR,-I send you the quantity of Bishop's Early Dwarf Prolific Pea, ordered by you, being of the same kind as presented by me to the Horticultural Society of this city. Agreeably to your request, I will give you a short account of its origin, peculiar properties, and mode of treatment. In the year 1826, they made their first appearance in London, having been sent, as I am informed, from some part of Scotland, where they were originally raised by a practical gardener, of the name of Bishop. In the In reference to a contemplated Corporation beyear 1817, so great a reputation had they obtained in the neighbourhood of London, that they were the last number of the "New-York Farmer," that in the minds of our fellow citizens. If the projectGentlemen,-I perceive by your advertisement in izens, incontrovertible principles should be settled tween the State and the City of Boston, or its citreadily sold by the nursery men there at a guinea a you have imported 75,000 hawthorns for "live fen-ed Rail Roads should prove beneficial to Boston, pint; and in the spring of that year I received a cing;" and I cannot deny myself the pleasure of they must become so, by proving first beneficial to small portion of them as a present froin an eminent communicating to you, the experiment that I have the country. Great cities situated like Boston, can horticulturist, who, in the letter accompanying them made with this beautiful, cheap and valuable fence. only rise into importance upon the industry, the writes as follows: "These peas are making a great About seven years ago I purchased a few thousand population, and the wealth of the country. It is noise here, and knowing they would be highly ac- from you, and sat them out, forming a line of fence readily admitted however, that Boston would be ceptable to you, I have, with some difficulty, pro- of about forty rods. The soil on which they were eminently, and greatly more benefitted by these cured you a small quantity. Its peculiar excellences planted was a mixture of clay and white sand, un- Roads, than many other parts of the state. Of appear to be these: its great productiveness, equal-favourable to their rapid growth. They have this truth, many of its most responsible citizens, ling, if not surpassing any variety hitherto known; never been cultivated, except to trim them the last have shown their conviction, by having within a its earliness and its remarkable dwarf habit, seldom season-every plant flourished, and they now form few days, presented a petition to the House, reattaining, even in the best soils, the height of twelve a fence sufficient to turn any cattle, and the cheap-questing that they might be admitted to an union inches, which of itself would make it a most valua-est, handsomest, best fence upon my farm. ble acquisition, more especially for small gardens." In with the Commonwealth, in constructing two third addition to what is here stated, I remark from my own have a nursery of hawthorns. I have saved a bushel of the berries, and intend to parts of the Rail Roads. experience, that this pea fully realizes the description here given, and the following appears the most judicious method of treating them: They should be planted three, or at any rate two inches apart in the rows, as from their dwarfishness and spreading habit they do not do so well if sown closer; hence it is obvious there will be a great saving of seed, as a pint of these Peas will go as far as two or three quarts of any other, sown in the usual manner. They commence blooming when not three inches high, bear most abundantly, and are very fine eating. If a few were planted weekly, a constant succession of Green Peas might be obtained all the summer and autumn, as from the habit of their growth they appear better calculated to withstand the heat of an American summer than any variety with which I am acquainted. I have still a few quarts left; Resolutions before the House, in respect to the conThe Committee to whom were committed the which are offered to those desirous of cultivating an struction of a Rail Road, from Boston to Proviexcellent vegetable, at one dollar per quart. Persons at a distance, by remitting the cash by letter dence, and from Boston to the Hudson, submit the (post paid) will receive them by any conveyance following MICHAEL FLOY. they may designate.

Seedsman, &c. New York.

RURAL ECONOMY.

BEES.

The following account of a new method of taking the honey of bees, without the cruel and wasteful process of killing them, is copied from a London paper. The time most suitable for this process is not mentioned. We presume it is so early in the season as to leave them time to prepare a sufficient

stock of food for winter.

I remain yours, very respectfully,

JONATHAN FISK.

If our farmers are fully apprised of the prefer- State, and the various interests in it, it is certain, In reference to the geographical situation of our ence, in all respects, due to this kind of fencing, you that if internal communications give vigour to the will find a ready sale for all you have imported, and industry and increase the population of the interior, I venture to assert, that every gentleman, who will so also must they enlarge the consumption, of all make an experiment with them, will be highly grat-that proceeds from the sea-board; thus extending ified with the result. its commerce and navigation. Though in this way, in some cases, business may be diverted, it is increased, not diminished. The fisheries of this State are a great and growing interest. A cheap transportation of their products, through a line of two hundred miles of interior country, with the greater part of which, there is no water communication cannot but greatly increase the consumption; and Commonwealth of Massachusetts-House of Re-more especially, when in three months of the year, presentatives, Feb. 20, 1829. the article can be conveyed to the doors of the condesirable uxury. sumer, in that state, in which it is to him the most

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT.

RAIL-ROAD.

REPORT:

As to the interior parts of the State not upon the route of the projected Rail Roads; it must be er ident to the most superficial observation, that if the Rail Roal improvement is, what public opinion bas pronounced it to be, they cannot fail at no remote period, to participate in its advantages.

That the House by having almost unanimously passed the first of said Resolutions, by which they declared, that the construction of the said Rail If there bea portion of the Agricultural interest, Roads, "would essentially promote the great inter- on the sea boad, and in the neighbourhood of Bosests of Agriculture, Commerce, Manufactures and ton, which is oposed to this improvement, as one the Arts, throughout the Commonwealth," have, so likely to prove injurious; it is obvious, that the far as their opinion goes, left nothing to be decided, same objection would lie, to the best water combut the mode of obtaining so desirable an object.—munication, or Trnpike Road, through the same This being the opinion of the House, it must be un-country. Such an objection would be fatal to all questionable, that it is for the interest of the state, improvement; and therefore cannot, consistently to patronize the enterprise by participating in the with a just and geneous regard for the Interests of execution of the work. At once to acknowledge the whole people, be urged. Besides, it proceeds its value, to shun all hazard, and withhold all aid, upon false principles, and is not warranted by facts, is inconsistent, and presents discouragements to in this, or any other cuntry. private persons, which utterly forbid all hope of the With these facts, ad views before us, the state

"The cruel system of smothering bees may now be dispensed with, by a plan recently adopted with attainment of the object. Besides, the grant of of the case is this. Thre is unquestionably, a porcomplete success: it is called "driving," and is easi-privileges to a private corporation so extensive, as tion of the community embracing many prudent, ly accomplished thus: At dark, place a metal pot must be required, to induce such a corporation to judicious, and patriotic ndividuals, who are deciwhere the old hive stands; have a new hive prepar- build the contemplated Roads, would be wholly in- dedly of opinion, that sternal Improvements by ed with cross sticks, and cream and sugar smeared compatible with the dignity and interests of the Rail Roads, are to be olincalculable value to the inside; invert the old hive into the pot quickly; State. Such a measure would be doing violence to State. Their opinions my be questioned, but can place the new one over it; tie a cloth around the public opinion, which in this Commonwealth has not be disproved. Some re less sanguine; others meeting of the hives, so as to prevent any of the been growing stronger and stronger, and has pro- may hold opposite sentients. bees escaping; then keep stirring the bottom of the nounced such exclusive grants, of the great high On which soever metal pot, with an iron instrument, and in less than ways of the State, to be injurious and in the highten minutes all the bees will be driven by the sound est degree improvident. These are privileges, to be from the old to the new kive; then untie the cloth reserved for the benefit of the whole people, not for and lift the new hive to the place where the old one the present only, but for all future time. stood, at the same time quickly covering the honey hive with a white cloth, to prevent any of the bees

The question, and the only question that can be made recurs; that is, to what extent, the state shall

side the truth lies, the Comittee decidedly believe, that the time has arrived when public sentiment demands, that an experinnt be made, and that there would be no ground r any further procrastination, were it not, that Report of the Board of Directors, has been befo the people so short a time, as not to have preseed them with an op

portunity, of thoroughly examining its merits.
Nothing, but a just respect for our constituent,
could justify any further delay, in coming at once to
a final decision. Under these circumstances, the
Committee recommend the passage of the follow-
ing Resolutions.

All which is respectfully submitted,
By order,

T. SEDGWICK, Chairman. Resolved, That it is expedient for the State, to aid and encourage by its funds the construction of a Rail Road, from Boston to the Hudson, and from Boston to Providence, as works, which will greatly promote the interests of this Commonwealth.

Resolved, That the most ample opportunity should be given to the people, to examine the facts and considerations spread before them, in the Report of the Board of Directors of Internal Improvements, and therefore as that Report has been but recently submitted to the Legislature, a final decision upon the subject, ought to be postponed to the next June session of the Legislature.

But ah! no pow'r at his command,
Could dry that cank'ring spray.
Pensive he left the sweet recess,

And his bright home regain'd
Where still 'mid all his gladsomeness,
That hapless guest remain'd:-
And thus whene'er his form we seek,
In scenes beneath the sky,
We find a smile upon his cheek,
A tear-drop in his eye.

WOMAN'S ELOQUENCE. Woman cannot plead at the bar, or preach in the pulpit, or thunder in the senate house. Yet her's is no trifling eloquence. Its power, though unostentatious in display, is mighty in result. In the retirement of her own family, in the circle of her friends and acquaintances, in the various intercourse of society what a charm can woman spread around her, what a zest to every other enjoyment can she impart-what encouragement can she give Resolved, However, as the sense of this House, to virtue, and what reproofs to vice; what aid can that taking into view the various expensive surveys she afford to the cause of religion; in short, what an and examinations which have been made, the pub- amount of good can she accomplish, and what an lic time that has been consumed in protracted dis-immense influence exert, by her mere conversation. cussions; that the period has arrived, when both the Is it not, then, of vast importance that her powers dignity and interest of the state require, that the of conversation should be cultivated as a part of the people should be called upon to make up their opin- course of her education, and not left, as they too ions definitively, so that their Representatives may often are, to take their whole character from the adat that session finally dispose of the subject. ventitious circumstances of life in which she may be [These resolutions have been passed.] placed? But you will inquire how is this to be made matter of instruction; must it not be the result, and the result only, of a young lady's intercourse with polished and intelligent society? I think not. I would allow to such intercourse all the efficacy which it deserves, and doubtless this efficacy is great. But I would go deeper than this; I would go farther back, even to that period of life, when females are not yet considered old enough to mingle in promiscuous society, and especially to bear their part in the conversation of others much their superiors in age and intelligence. I would have the mother, to all the extent of her power, and the instructress, as a part of her course of instruction, devote themselves to this great object. This is the very way too, in which all the knowledge that a young lady is acquiring at school may be made of practical use; for it may all be introduced into conversation, either for the entertainment or instruction of others.

LADIES' DEPARTMENT.

JOY AND GRIEF.
One summer morn, when dewy flowers
Displayed their fairest smile,
Young joy forsook his happy bowers,
To frolic forth awhile;
He hied him to a silver stream,
That rippled down the glade,
And there along its verdant brim,
His thoughtless gambols play'd.

High o'er his head the willow flung
Its gold stems to the air,
While many a cheerful warbler sung
His jocund matin there;
He laugh'd to list the bee's soft hum,
Far from the haunts of men,
And the wild partridge's distant drum
Swell echoing through the glen.

And oft his airy form he threw

Sheer in the dancing tide,

To pluck wild water-flowers that grew
Among the streamlet's side;
Soon on his fair unclouded brow
A lovely wreath appears,
Pure as the pearls of winter's snow,
And wet with night's own tears.

Thus play'd he many a jocund hour,
With bosom glad and free,
Till tired he sought a neighb'ring bower,
And slumber'd peacefully;
Deep from her cypress circled cell,
Grief spied the form of Joy,
And softly stealing down the dell,
Knelt by the sleeping boy.

Aside she flung his locks of gold,
And gazed with deep'ning sigh,
Till from her cheek a tear-drop roll'd,
And dew'd bis half-closed
eye;
He woke and sought with ready hand,
To wipe the tear away,

COURTSHIP.

[merged small][graphic][merged small]

MR. SKINNER:

Salem, N. J., Jan. 30, 1829. Sir,-It may not be uninteresting to you to hear what we are about in the way of rural sports. As to foxes, we have caught but few. About ten days past we put up a red in the big meadows below this; he made but one short double, then ran to the Delaware, which having ice aground and thrown up in large masses for one-fourth of a mile out, making a good cover, ran that three miles to a farm house, standing on the beach at high-water mark; ran into the kitchen unobserved by the women and children. The dogs ran in, seized the fox, which alarmed the family; they ran out, and called “Father!" saying that the hounds were killing one another-and, to his and their astonishment, reynard was suspended by one dozen mouths, pulling in every direction. On examination, he had twenty inches of chain, much worn at the end by dragging the ground; and the fox was no doubt a pet one, got away from this house five years ago; his teeth having the ends considerably worn, indicating him to be about six years old.

As I am good for nothing but hunting, and hardly that, being worse than half a hundred years old, and rode more miles on the chase than any other man in New Jersey, I will trouble you to read more of my exercises, all for health, as my father died with the gout before he was of my age. I don't know that I have had half a dozen colds, or a single ache A gentleman feeling a strong partiality for a or pain in my life. The last time I was at the sea young lady whose name was Noyes, was desirous, shore, deer-hunting, we got but one. Accident, or without the ceremony of a formal courtship, to as-something else, turned every one we got on foot; certain her sentiments. For this purpose, he said and bad shooting, together, was the cause of our to her one day-with that kind of air and manner bad luck. So we determined to change the game, which means either jest or earnest, as you choose to having a friendly invitation from Mr. Humphrey take it. "If I were to ask you whether you are un- Hewitt, one of the most hospitable gentlemen in der matrimonial engagements to any one, which the world, (most of Cape May excepted.) living 17 part of your name [No-yes] might I take for an an- miles down shore, at Hereford Inlet, and 13 from swer?" Cape Island, to visit him the next day, and try the in the evening, where he had a good supper and geese. Accordingly, six of us arrived at his house several of his neighbours ready to entertain us for the evening, which lasted until half past eleven, when we went to bed; and at two he routed us, when breakfast was on the table; and by half past two we had six decoy geese bagged, shovels, guns, liquor, &c., and took up the line of march near two miles across the fields and salt marshes to the boats; then rowed down the sound, which was two miles

"The first;" said she in the same tone.
"And were I to ask you if you were inclined to
form such an engagement, should a person offer who
loved you and was not indifferent to yourself; what
part of your name might I then take as an answer?"
"The last."

"And if I tell you that I love you, and ask you to
form such an engagement with me; then what part
of your name may I take?"

"Oh then," replied the blushing girl, "take the whole name: as in such a case I would cheerfully re-wide and three long, to the inlet; where we put sign it for yours.

When we are young, we enjoy the pleasures of youth, and never think that those pleasures may bring on the mortifications of age.

out two men, one shovel, and three of the geese; the geese to be staked near the water's edge, the men to dig a hole in the sand within fifteen paces, one foot deep, and raising a bank one foot above the surface; this is a flat sand, one half mile by one

T. R.

We ought to state, that according to the terms of the match, Colonel Anson and Mr. Ross were to shoot side by side, so that if the Colonel did not keep pace with Mr. Ross, he must have lost: thus the match assumed the double character of a pedestrian and a shooting match. [London paper.

mile, and overflowed at high water. Then one to harden myself whilst young and tender, that in in September, it was supposed they would have killother and myself rowed two miles down the inlet, case I should live to be old then I should be tough. ed a hundred brace each. The superiority of the pauntil we got to the breakers; and here is a heavier With much respect your friend, tent cartridge over shot, at long distances, was very surf than I have ever seen at either Cape Island or apparent-most of the birds being killed between at Long Branch. Then we went out into the Atfifty and seventy yards. The parties, it is believed, lantic ocean, one and a half mile, to a sand bar, GRAND SHOOTING MATCH AT GAME, FOR ONE will renew the match for some earlier period in which is overflowed at common tides, dug a hole, THOUSAND GUINEAS. next season, but it is much doubted whether Col. and buried our skiff at one point of the bar, and This interesting and novel match for 1000 Guin-Anson will make it again for the whole day. Mr. staked the three geese on the outer point, and made eas, between the Hon. G. Anson and Mr. Ross, Ross offered, at the conclusion of the match, to a blind as above. The sand being wet, pulled which of them killed the most partridges between start immediately, and walk any person present to off our great coats and laid them in the bottom, sun rise and sun set, and which perhaps excited London, being 70 miles, for 500 guineas. but the water soon came through. Then we were more interest in the sporting world than any thing ready for action; when, lo and behold, we had of the kind on any former occasion, took place at neglected to bring out of one of the driver's boats Milden Hall, Suffolk, on the manor belonging to the victuals, or brandy, and you will necessarily con- Honourable Henry De Roos, on Monday last. It clude that it was time for a morning dram, as the was originally fixed for the previous Saturday; but day had began to break, and we having worked hard, one of the parties not knowing whether it was to and none too warm take my word for it, the night be- be shot with ordinary shot or with Eley's palent ing damp, and on the 29th of December. Two others cartridges (no previous arrangement having been SHOOTING SWANS. went along the high sand hills or beach, as it is cal-made,) was not provided with the latter; and led, about one mile to a slash or fresh water pond oc- as the birds were very wild, and it was determined Extract from "A Journey up the Mississippi, by J. casioned by the rains filtering through the sands, to shoot with them, a messenger was dispatched to J. Audubon, author of the Birds of America." which are perhaps one hundred feet in height, there London for a supply; he returned on Sunday night, On the second morning after our arrival, I heard to wait the arrival of ducks, and had they have had and it was then agreed to commence shooting at a a movement in the Indian camp, and having hastily more ammunition would have done well owing to quarter past 7 o'clock on Monday morning, and to risen and dressed myself, I discovered that a canoe both sounds being well drove; as it was, I thought leave off at a quarter past four o'clock in the after-containing half a dozen squaws and as many hunit very good, they having piled up ninety-six black noon. Many gentlemen, friends of Mr. Roos, came ters, was about to leave the Illinois, for the Tenducks, had no dog and the fowl constantly circling to witness his performance, some from Scotland; and nessee side of the river. I learned also that their to light, they only picked up the dead, suffering the a number of gentlemen, friends of the Hon. G. An- object was to proceed to a large lake opposite, to crippled to get into the sedge and much other cov- son, were assembled at the Hon. H. De Roos, Mil- which immense flocks of swans resorted every morner around the slash, and quitting at 11 o'clock wet, den Hall, for the same purpose. The Hon. H. De ing.-These flocks are so numerous and strong, that tired, hungry, and worse than all no liquor, like my- Roos, the Hon. C. Greville, the Hon. Col. Russell, it is, however incredible it may at first seem, a well self and partner had forgotten the real life and spirit Sir John Shelley, Mr. H. Baring, and many other known fact, that they keep the lakes which they freof the cause. Now to the drivers, although a deer gentlemen and amateurs of the sport were present quent free from ice, merely by swimming upon them hunter's phrase, it is nevertheless a goose and duck Many horses were ready to assist the various per- night and day. Having obtained permission to hunter's, our Cape May friends foregoing all plea- sons in attendance on the match; each party was al- join the party, I seated myself in the canoe, while sure to gratify their friends from a distance, divided lowed three guns, three loaders, &c. that no delay supplied with ammunition and a bottle of whiskey; in two boats, two to a boat and each boat driving its might take place; large sums of money were betted, in a few moments the paddles were at work, and sound and thoroughfares all the ebb tide, until they and both parties came to the post in excellent con- we swiftly crossed to the opposite shore. I was not drove every goose and duck out to sea to come in dition, spirits, and confidence. The morning, at much astonished, during our passage, to see all the on the flood in small flocks, a part of old and their break of day, was unfavourable, it being very fog-labor of paddling performed by the squaws; for this young. The sounds are one or two miles apart con- gy, and indeed continuing so the whole of the day. feature of Indian manners was not new to me; but nected by thoroughfares, and from two to three In the first hour, the birds being excessively wild, I was surprised to see that upon entering the canoe, miles in length and breadth, this was constant row- only four were shot; and those getting up most fa the hunters laid down, and positively sleep during ing and shooting to scare until 12 o'clock, and now vourably for Col. Anson, he shot three out of the the whole passage. On landing, the squaws, after I will invite you out into the ocean towards high-four. Both parties possessing great pedestrian pow-securing the boat, proceeded to search for nuts, water, when our terra firma show but two little ers, and thinking to outwalk each other, commenc- whilst the gentlemen hunters made the best of their ridges of sand of twenty feet wide and one hun-ed walking at five miles an hour, and continued that way through the "thick and thin," to the lake. dred long, and that to be covered in one hour, and pace for the first two hours, and the remainder of our skiff on the inner one, and the water three feet the day at four and a half miles an hour, without deep between us, and a ship could sail around us; at halting for five minutes, and the whole of the day this time there came up a blow from the south east bare-headed. The pace kept those who accompawith some snow, and a thick fog obscuring the land, nied them in a trot, as long as they could last, which the sea breaking across the inlet and within fifteen but few, if any, did to the end of the day, without feet of our blinds, at this time nothing to be seen but the assistance of a horse. At three o'clock the breakers, and it being doubtful whether or not our match was even, both having killed ten brace of skiff would live through them; this storm spoiled the birds, and it was even again at four o'clock. principal part of our sport, causing the heavy surf Nothing could now exceed the interest felt by all and the strong flood tide sweeping in, prevented parties, a quarter of an hour only being all the rescores of flocks which lit in the water, from landing maining time for deciding the contest. It was obThe decoys were very coaxing, both in calling and served about this time that Col. Anson was growmotions, but the surf and strong tide swept the most ing weak,. the parties having walked about thirtyof them up the inlet, but few came on shore, we kil- five miles, and a great part of the distance through led that we got five and three ducks, and ought to heavy, wet turnips; but Mr. Ross went on with a have killed from ten to twenty, each blind having gallant stride, to the admiration of all, beating such good drivers and plenty of fowl; our two first keepers and every other person present. At this landed got but one flock to come ashore, they let go juncture Colonel Anson killed another bird, which two barrels each at eight geese thirty five paces and made him one ahead; but he became so weak that only crippled two which fell out in the bay and lost. he could no longer follow Mr. Ross, who kept as Then we came away, it being two o'clock, arrived fresh as ever; and although only ten minutes reat our friend's house by dark, eat a good supper and mained, Col. Anson's friends advised him to prohad many neighbours to spend the evening which pose a draw match, as Mr. Ross would, in all prolasted until 12 o'clock, the next day friends came bability, either tie er beat him; which he did, and fifteen miles on the road to escort us and take Mr. Ross very handsomely accepted the proposal. another drink which wasted all the day, and left us Thus concluded a match with which every lover of fifty miles to travel at night, and a much colder one the trigger present was highly delighted. The numhas not been this winter, a hard north wester being ber of birds actually scored was 23 brace; many dead ahead; without sleeping we got home as the others were killed, but it could not be decided by the sun was rising in fine spirits and doubtless five years umpires (Mr. Osbaldeston and others,) to which added unto our lives. I have always thought it good party they belonged. If the match had taken place

Those who have never seen any thing of what I call "thick and thin," may perhaps think I allude to something like the furze which cover some of the moors of Scotland-but they must imagine the shores of the Ohio, at its junction with the great muddy river called the Mississippi, to be fairly overgrown with a kind of thick-set cotton-trees, that rise as closely from the muddy soil of the bank as can well be conceived--they are not to be beaten down; you must slide yourself between them-and in summer you have a pretty task to keep off the musquitoes that abound amongst them. After these thickets there are small hasty lagoons, which you must either swim across, jump over, or leap into and be drowned, according to your taste or capability; but when the task of reaching the lake is accomplished-what a feast for a sportsman! There they lie, by hundreds, of a white or rich cream colour-either dipping their black bills in the water, or leaning backwards, and gently resting with one leg expanded, floating along and basking in the sunshine. The moment that these beautiful birds saw our videttes, they started up in immediate apprehension; but the plan of the Indians drove the poor swans the nearer to their fate, the farther they retreated from either shore. Men were placed behind the trees who knew how to take a dead aim, and every shot told. Being divided, three on ou side, and four on the other, the former hid themselves, and when the birds flew from the fire of the latter, they alighted within good distance of those who had first alarmed them.

What would those English sportsmen-who, after walking a whole day, and exploding a pound of powder, march home in great glee, holding a partridge by the legs, with a smile on their lips and a very empty stomach-say to this day's devastation among the swans! I saw those beautiful birds float-lars or two dollars and fifty cents within a few days. ing on the water, their backs downwards, their heads under the surface, and their legs in the air, struggling in the last agonies of life, to the number of 50-their beautiful skins all intended for the ladies of Europe.

MR. SKINNER,

METEOROLOGICAL.

The following table shows the quantity of Rain fallen for the last three years. Perhaps you may think it worth preserving.

31 MILES WEST OF BALTIMORE. 1826.

est that of 1826, viz. $4 65. The lowest price in earth's surface, beside being carried round the sun,
March 1821, viz. $3 75; and the highest price in move round the earth's axis by the rotatory or spin-
March 1796, viz. $15. In one instance the price ning motion which it has; so that every 24 hours we
remained without any change for eleven months, move in this manner near 14,000 miles, besides mo-
but in very many others it has fluctuated two dol-ving round the sun above 1,600,000 miles. These
motions and distances, however, prodigious as they
are, seem as nothing compared to those of the com-
ets, one of which, when farthest from the sun, is
11,200 millions of miles from him; and, when near-
miles an hour. Sir Isaac Newton calculated its heat
est the sun, flies at the amazing rate of 880,000
at 2000 times that of red-hot iron; and that it would
take thousands of years to cool. But the distance
of the fixed stars is yet more vast: they have been
supposed to be 400,000 times farther from us than
we are from the sun, that is 38 millions of millions
of miles, so that a cannon-ball would take near nine
Inch. 100ths. millions of years to reach one of them, supposing
there was nothing to hinder it from pursuing its
course thither. As light takes about eight minutes
and a quarter to reach us from the sun, it would be
above six years in coming from one of those stars;
but the calculations of later astronomers prove some
stars to be so far distant, that their light must take
centuries before it can reach us; so that every par-
ticle of light which enters our eyes left the star it
comes from three or four hundred years ago:--
[From a clever little work, entitled Objects, Advan-
tages, and Pleasures of Science, published by the So-
ciety for the Diffusion of Knowledge.]

The sport was now over--the sun was nearly even with the tops of the trees: a conch was sounded, and after a while the squaws appeared, dragging the canoe, and moving about in quest of the dead game--It was at last all transported to the river's edge, and we were landed on the Illinois bank again before dark. The fires were lighted---each man eat his mess of pecan nuts and bear's fat, and January, then stretched himself out, with his feet close to the February, 2 30 small heap of coal intended for the night. The females then began their work; it was their duty to skin the birds. I observed them for some time, and then retired to rest very well satisfied with the sports of this day-the 25th of December.

MISCELLANEOUS.

COMMERCIAL.

1828.

2 65
4 20
3 90

1827.

Inch. 100ths.
1 25

Inch. 100ths

2 80

6 00

March,
April,
May,

2 75

2 18

2 48

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June,
July,

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August, 2 45
September, 6 70
October, 3 80
November, 2 90
December, 1 10

4 80

60

38 35

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5 10 2.00 500 1 45 7.90

0 95

Flour.-The Editors of the New York Journal of Commerce have been favoured by a commercial friend, with a table of the prices of Flour in the Philadelphia market for the period of forty-four years, which, says the Journal, will be a curiosity, is of a superior order of being to that of the animals If any thing is capable of persuading man that he as well as a useful document to every dealer in the which surround him, it is above all the beauty of his article. We subjoin the AVERAGE for each year:-inventions, and the inexhaustible resources, which $5 87 1807 $7 17 he finds in his industry. He is born weak and ab

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(Items from English papers.)

The price of a good mule in Spain is 10 to 15 oz. breed, is worth from 7 to 12 oz. of gold, 30 to 45 guineas; and an ass, of the large charger may, however, be purchased for 8 oz., or A fine Andalusian 251.

In some parts of Britanny the expense of living
5 69 solutely naked. His weakness renders him ever is so moderate, that a person may board and lodge
6 91 active and industrious. Upon a contemplation of in a respectable family, by whom he will be intro-
9 37 his own poverty, he calls into activity all his senses. duced to the best society, for 800 francs per an-
.9 95 He applies force to force, opposition to resistance, num.
9 83 velocity to weight, and weight to velocity. By the
8 92 assistance of mechanics, this little being, five or
8 60 six feet in height, with two arms, can expedite as
.8 71 much work, as a giant whom we might imagine as
9 78 having a thousand; and not only this, but he can
11 69 render inanimate bodies, "as it were, alive"--giv-them, that eleven thousand five hundred and twenty
9 96 ing mere machines, the very form and motion, and pairs of hard polished scissors could be manufac
.7 11 even speech of living men; as witness the wonder-tured completely perfect, the weight of which would
4 72 ful automaton "speaking figures" and "slack rope only be one ounce?

4 78 dancers." Take mechanics from man, and you re-
6 58 duce him to a barren thought. Mechanics have
6 82 done what is most beautiful and magnificent on

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The circumstances which have produced the principal fluctuations, are given as follows, by the The size, and motions, and distances of the heavgentleman who has carefully preserved the record. enly bodies are such as to exceed the power of ordi"From 1794 to '96, scarcity in France and Eng-nary imagination, from any comparison with the land;-from '98 to 1800, export to England;-1800 smaller things we see around us. The earth's diato 1801, scarcity in England; 1804 and 5 scarcity meter is nearly 8000 miles in length; but the sun's in Spain; 1808 and 9, long embargo; 1809, to '10 above 880,000 miles, and the bulk of the sun is and '11, Peninsula war; 1812, '13 and '14, was above 1.300,000 times greater than that of the with England; 1816 and '17, scarcity in England." earth. The planet Jupiter, which looks like a mere To this we may add the cause of advance during speck, from his vast distance, is nearly 1300 times the latter part of 1828, viz. scarcity in Europe, par- larger than the earth. Our distance from the sun is ticularly in England. The state of the currency in above 95 millions of miles; but Jupiter is 490 mil1814 and '15 of course had an effect on the price of lions, and Saturn 900 millions of miles distant from those years. the sun. The rate at which the earth moves round The following applications of a modern chemical It deserves to be considered also, that the quan- the sun is 68,000 miles an hour, or 140 times swift- discovery affords a sympathetic ink very far supetity of circulating medium and the value of all sorts er than the motion of a cannon-ball; and the planet rior to any as yet in use. Dissolve a small quantity of merchandize have fluctuated. The highest year- Mercury, the nearest to the sun, moves still quick-of starch in a saucer, with soft water, no trace of ly average was that of 1796, viz. $12 50; the low-er, nearly 110,000 miles an hour. We, upon the the writing will appear upon the paper, and the let

ter, one of sugar, three eggs, two spoonfuls of Clove Cake. Three pounds of flour, one of butcloves-mix it with molasses.

SYMPATHETIC INK.

ters can be developed only by a weak solution of iodine in alcohol, when they will appear of a deep purple color, which will not be effaced until after a long exposure to the atmosphere. So permanent are the traces left by the starch, that they cannot (when dry) be effaced by Indian rubber; and in one case a letter which had been carried in the pocket for a fortnight, had the secret character displayed at once by being very slightly moistened with the above mentioned preparation.

1829. MARCH.

.38. Hogs'-Lard, 1st sort, new, lb. .9. Pork, clear, bbl.
16.00 a 16.50; Navy, mess, 13.00 a 13.25; Cargo, No. 1,
13.00 a 13.25. Seeds, Herd's Grass, bush. 2.00 a 2.50;
Orchard Grass, 3.00; Fowl Meadow, 4 00; Rye Grass
4.00; Tall Meadow Oats Grass 4.00; Red Top 1.00; Lu-
Northern, .8 a .10; French Sugar Beet 1.50; Mangel
cerne, lb. .50; White Honeysuckle Clover, .50; Red do.
Wurzel 1.50. Wool, Merino, full blood, washed, .35 a
.42; do. do. unwashed, .22 a .26; do. three-fourths wash- Sunday,
ed, .30 a .35, do. half and quarter washed, .28 a .33; Na- Monday,.
tive, washed .25 a .28; Pulled, Lambs', 1st sort, .37 a Tuesday,. 10
.41; do. do. 2d sort, .25 a .30; do. do. spinning, 1st sort. Wednesday,.. 11
Thursday, 12
Friday, 13

.30 a .33.

To GILD MANUSCRIPT WRITING. Dissolve a little gum ammoniac in a small quantity of water, in which a little gum arabic and the juice of garlic have been previously dissolved. Write with this liquid instead of ink, or form char-a.12; acters with it by means of a camel's hair pencil. Let the characters dry, then breathe upon them, and apply leaves of gold to them as for any other kind of gilding. The superfluous gold may be removed by a brush, the writing will then appear covered with gold, and may be burnished.

THE FARMER.

BALTIMORE, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1829.

This

Since our last number, there has been no intelligence from abroad, and nothing materially interesting to our agricultural friends, as such, has transpired "at home." The markets in all the Atlantic ports are at this season extremely dull, and no fixed prices for staple articles can be quoted. In our last we noted the favourable change of weather, which indicated the breaking up of winter. weather has continued to the present time, and the snow and frost have almost disappeared-a few more days of such weather will "open the ports," and then business will resume its wonted activity and spirit; and then we shall be able to give our agricultural friends more certain intelligence, and, we hope, better prices.

As to the Baltimore flour and grain market, as hinted above, nothing definite can be said.-The farmers and millers refuse to sell at what they can get, and holders of store flour are equally firm; neither of them, however, appear to have any established asking price. We heard of offers having been made on Wednesday, of $7.75 for shipment to England, which were declined. The opening of the spring business, and another arrival from England, it is thought, will dissipate all this uncertainty, and lead to the establishment of rates on which more dependence may be placed.

GREAT INCREASE OF POPULATION.-In the 48th number of the Farmer, we incidentally remarked, that Troy, N. Y. contained about 8000 inhabitants. We were then not aware that a census had been

recently taken, by which it appears, that the population of that young and flourishing city amounts to 10,840! In 1825 it was 7,879-increase, in little more than three years, 2961. Troy is situated on the east bank of the North River, 6 miles above Albany, at the head of sloop navigation. The great Erie and Champlain canals communicate with Troy by a side cut, and have rendered it a place

of extensive business.

Prices Current in Boston, Feb. 27. Apples, best, bbl. $.3.00 a 3.75. Beans, white, bushel .80 a 1.12. Beef, mess, bbl. 10.00 a 10.50; cargo No. 1, .8.50 a 9.00; No. 2, 7.50 a 7.75. Butter, inspected, No. 1, new, lb. .14 a .16. Cheese, new milk, .7 a .9; skimmed milk, 2. a .3. Flour, Baltimore Howard-st. 9.00 a 9.12; Genesee, 9.00 a 9.25; Rye, best, Grain, Corn, bush. .63 a 65; Rye, .75 a .80; Barley .70; Oats .30 a

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Moon-First Quarter, 12th, 4 h. 42 m. Mg.

BALTIMORE PRICES CURRENT.

& Co., Commission Merchants and Planters' Agents. TOBACCO.--Maryland, ground leaf, $5.00 a 10.00seconds, ordinary, 3.50 a 4.50-red, 4.50 a 6.50-fine red, 6.00 a 8.00, for wrapping-Ohio, common, 5.00 a S.50-good red, 6.00 a 8.00-fine yellow, 10.00 a 20.00 -Rappahannock, 2.50 a 3.50-Kentucky, common 3.50 a 5.00-wrapping, 4.00 a 6.00.

Prices Current in New York, Feb. 28. Bees-wax, yellow .23 a.24. Cotton, New Orleans .10 Upland .81 a .10; Alabama .91 a 104. Colton Bagging, Hemp .20 a .21; Flax .15 a.18. Flax, American .6 a .8. Flaxseed, rough, tierce $11.00; clean 12.00. Flour, N. York, 8.00 a 8.121; Canal 8.25 a 8.374; Balti-Corrected for the American Farmer, by Edward J. Willson more wharf, 8.00; Howard street 8.25; Richmond city mills 8.00; country 7.874; Alexandria and Fredericksburg 7.75 a 7.874; Petersburg 7.75 a 7.874. Rye Flour 3.81 a 4.00; Indian Meal, bbl. 2.88 a 3.00; hhd. 15.00. Grain, Wheat, North River ; Virginia 1.69 a 1.70; North Carolina 1.70; Rye .70 a .72; Corn, Northern .54 a .56; Southern .44; Barley .50; Oats .32 a .38; Peas, white dry 7 bush. 4.00; Beans, 7 bush. 8.00 a 9.00. Provisions, Beef, mess 9.00 a 9.50; prime 7.00 a 7.50; cargo 5.50 a a 6.00; Butter, N. Y. 12 a 16; shipping .8 a .12; Lard .6 a .61; Pork, mess 12.50; prime 9.75 a 10.00; cargo 8.50 a 8.75; Hams, Virginia .9 a .10; Northern .s Rice .31 a .34; Whiskey, rye .24 a .25; Cider Brandy .30 a .33. Tobacco, Virginia 34 a .61; Kentucky .31 a .61; Ohio .5 a .124; Wool, Merino, American fleece .32 a .38; Pulled, 1st qual. .32 a .35; 2d qual. .25 a .27; 3d qual. .20 a .23; Lambs, 1st qual. .40 a .42.

a .9.

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FLOUR-best white wheat family, $9.00-superfine Howard street, (sales,) 7.75; city mills, 7.50 a 7.75; Susquehanna none-CORN MEAL, bbl. 2.75-GRAIN, best red wheat, 1.60 a 1.70-best white wheat, 1.80 a 1.90ordinary to good, 1.50 a 1.70--CORN, old, per bush. 48-new corn, do. .46 a .48-RYE, per bush. .50 a .55OATS, .26 a .26-BEANS, 1.00 a 1.25-PEAS, .55 a .60— CLOVER SEED, 4.25 a 5.00-TIMOTHY, 1.50 a 1.75-OrchARD GRASS 2.25 a 2.50-Herd's, .75 a 1.00-Lucerne 37 a .50 lb.-BARLEY, .55 a 60-FLAXSEED, 1.00-COTTON, Virg. .8 a .10-Lou. .11 a. 12-Alabama, .10 a.11 Prices Current in Philadelphia, Feb. 28. Mississippi.11 a .13-North Carolina,.10 a.11-Geor gia, .9 a.12-WHISKEY, hhds. 1st pf. .24-in bbls..25 a Bees-wax, yellow .23 a.24; Beans, bushel $1.25 a 1.50; 25-WooL, common, unwashed, lb. .15 a .16-washBeef, mess 10 a 11, prime 9 a 9.50, cargo 7; Butler, No ed,.18 a .20-crossed, .20 a .22-three-quarter,.25 a 1, 8 a 9, No. 2, 5 a 6; Cotton, New Orleans 11.30-full do..30 a .50, accord'g to qual.-HEMP, Russia, .13, Upland .9 a .11, Tennessee .9 a.11, Alabama .9 a ton, $225 a 230; Country, dew-rotted, 136 a 140-waterFlax, .8 a .84; Flour, superfine 8, fine 7.50, Rye 4, Corn 5.75; do. trimmed, 6.50-North Carolina, No. 1, 6.25 11; Feathers, Southern .33 a .34, Western .31 a .33; rotted, 170 a 190-FISH, Shad, Susquehanna, No. 1, bbl. meal, hhds. 14, bls. 2.75; Flaxseed, cask 11.25, bushel a 6.50-Herrings, No. 14 bbl. 2.874; No. 2, 2.62-Mac1.50; Grain, Wheat 1.50 a 1.60, Rye .60 a .70, Corn 1. c. kerel, No. 1, 6.00; No. 2, 5.25; No. 3, 4.25-BACON, white .45 a .47, 1. c. yellow .46 a .49, u. c. sound .52 a hams, Baltimore cured, new, .94 a .10; old, 11; do. E. .54, Oats .25 a .33, Barley, Pa. .45 a .50 Eastern .55; Shore, .124-hog round, cured, .7 a .8-Pork, 4.50 a black eyed Peas .40 a .50; Hams, Jersey 9 a 11, 5.50-Feathers, .32-Plaster Paris, cargo price pr ton, Virginia .10 a .12, Western ; Hemp, Kentucky 3.621 a 4.25-ground, 1.25 bbl.; grass fed prime Beef, Lard, .7 a .81; Oil, linseed .88; Pork, mess 13 a 13.50, 3.50 a 5.00. prime 12, cargo 10.25 a 10.50; Rice, 3.50 a 3.75; Tobacco, Kentucky 3 a 64, Virginia 34 a 54; Wool, common MARKETING-Apples, pr. bush. 2.50; Pheasants, pair, washed lb. .28 a .30, half blood .30 a .33, three quarters.75; Squabs, 184; Rabbits, .124; Turkies, each, 1.124; blood .33 a .35, full blood .36 a .40, unwashed, general- Geese, .75; Butter, lb. 25 a 374; Eggs, .25; Potatoes, ly 10 cents less, according to quality. Irish, bush. .50; Chickens, dozen, 3.75 a 4.00; Ducks, doz. 3.00 a 3.50; Beef, prime pieces, lb. .8 a.10; Veal, .8; Mutton, .6 a .7; Pork, .6; young Pigs, dressed,.75 ¢ .87; Sausages, lb. .8; Onions, bush. .50; Beets, bush. 1.00; Turnips, bush. .25; Partridges, .61 each; Canvassback Ducks, pair, .75, Terrapins, 4.00 a 4.50 per doz Pork, 5.50 a 6.00 cwt.; prime Beef, on hoof 5.50 a 6.00°

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CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER.

On the Benefits derived from Steaming Food for Live Stock, with a Cut of an improved Steaming Apparatus-County-Hints to Young Farmers-Cotton CordageAgricultural Meeting and Resolutions in Philadelphia

Farmers' Account Books-Cotton-J. Buel on Pear and Plumb Trees-Description of Bishop's Early Dwarf Prolific Pea-Bees-Hawthorns-Report in the Massachusetts Legislature on Rail-roads-Poetry, Joy and Grief-Woman's Eloquence-Courtship-Sporting on the Sea shore of New Jersey-Grand Shooting Match at Game (in England) for one Thousand GuineasShooting Swans in the West-Price of Flour in Philadelphia from 1785 to 1828--Meteorology-Mechanism -The Heavenly Bodies-Items from English Papers -Recipes, To make Cake; Sympathetic Ink; To Gild Manuscript Writings-Editorial-Prices Current in Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore.

Printed every Friday, at Five Dollars per annum, for JOHN S. SKINNER, Editor, by JOHN D. Tor, corner of St. Paul and Market streets, where Printing of every description is neatly executed.

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