4. The roots, where cut, heal better, and are prepared to send out fresh ones even before the frost is out of the ground. 5. The winter and spring rain settles the earth purpose. We have made the flaming fire draw our chariots, the wild torrent of the hills turn our spindles, and let the weary steed and the oppressed captive go free. Labor is now raised to the dignity of an intellectual pursuit. The engineer, and 6. The trees are well established before warm even the factory girl tending her looms, are raised weather overtakes them. to the position and emolument of overseers. around the roots. For the New England Farmer. The mechanic Arts have conferred vast benefits upon agricultural pursuits; they are also elevated RAILROAD STOCKHOLDERS BENEFACin the elegance and abundance of their products. TORS TO THE COUNTRY. Contrast the elegant cutlery and glass which now MESSRS. EDITORS:-It is a fact that the original grace the tables of all classes, with the wooden stockholders of Turnpike roads, Canals and Railand pewter plates and spoons of even forty years roads, as a general thing, have benefited the pubago—the carpets and papered walls, even of the lic and injured themselves, that is, if we consider poorest now, with the sanded floors and smoky public, a loss. Very few of the enterprising men the money spent by individuals for the good of the wainscotting of the most wealthy then! Compare who have gone ahead in making new discoveries the busy housewife, drawing out her solitary and public improvements have been rewarded with thread month after month, to clothe her family, anything like an equivalent for their services exwith the modern factory-its polished machinery cept the gratification every benevolent man feels moving like the planetary system, and with almost the prophet down to the days of Columbus, and at doing good. From before the days of Elijah as much silence and velocity! Compare the qual- then to the present time, the prophets, astronoity, variety, and elegance of fabrics now, and mers, inventors of printing and numerous other their prices fifty years ago. public benefactors, have not been treated with marks of esteem or extrinsic politeness by the greater mass of mankind. The effect of these improvements cannot be otherwise than beneficial. A great increase of At the commencement of railroad making in comforts, and a great diminution of coarse, hard this country erroneous opinions were formed by labor, must tend to raise and refine society. It many people who were suspicious that some kind will be felt more by the poorer classes; for the of a monster monopoly was about to take place to wealthy never were condemned to want and drudg- trespass upon individual interest and deprive them ery. Released from the more wearing labor, and would enrich themselves on the "spoils" of the of their rights, and that railroad corporations one person being able to do the work of forty, travelling public. It is true that the railroad they must necessarily have more time for social mania commenced among wealthy men of an enand mental enjoyment and improvement. terprising description, who were willing to hazard We have thus enumerated a few of the blessings and it is also true that other rich men, differently in a game which promised novelty if not riches, which demand our gratitude and thanksgiving; organized, would not vest a dollar in any direction others, without number, are constantly flowing in unless in stocks where they were sure of being the upon us. The possession of this beautiful heritage better by 9 or 12 per cent. interest. Many of the which God has given us, with its healthful moun- landholders in the country, influenced by the tains and fertilizing streams; its variety of climate clamor of interested persons, obstinately refused and varied productions of soil in different latitudes; railroad would enhance the value of their property to sell their land at any rational price when a the Union and harmony of the States, our noble to more than double its former value. That same institutions, and the independent and wholesome bigotry which has in all ages been the annoyance municipal regulations of the towns. These are of every enterprise, seemed to revive and show its blessings known by no other people in the degree hideous figures as late as the 19th century. The which we enjoy them. May they find a lively response in every heart, and influence us all to be anxious for ourselves less, and seek the happiness of others more. stockholders in railroads acting from the motives ever influences have been among the greatest beneof gain, novelty, public benevolence or from whatfactors to the farming interest as well as every other interest, except their own, in the country. The original stockholders have "beat the AUTUMN TRANSPLANTING OF FRUIT TREES.-Hov holding business public, have caught the bird bush" and the farmers, speculators and non-stockey's Magizine gives the following reasons why The stockholders are accountable for every expense, autumn transplanting is preferable to that of liable for every damage through carelessness of spring, on all soils in good condition for the growth officers, and accidents, are prosecuted for every of fruit-trees, and they should be planted in no other: Autumn planting is better than spring following reasons: 1. The time is longer than spring. 2. The ground is in better condition. 3. The trees are then in the most state. little injury of person or property, and fined without mercy by an unfeeling jury for frightening "distressed damsels," including other mishaps to for the the end of the chapter of misfortunes. On the other hand, the non-stockholding, riding public, have no risk to run only the risk of bruises, broken bones, broken necks, and strangulation and suffodormant cation under drawbridges and in muddy streams, which calamities are not much thought of provid-has always required the same team to plow the ed there is steam enough put on to produce the same depth and width with a single plow. But we desired speed. have great confidence in the knowledge of the edOn the whole, the land proprietors and those itor of the Cultivator in agricultural dynamics, who have not lifted a finger to aid in the construction of railroads have received the benefit in the and hope he will explain to us the reasons for his rise of their lands and the cheapness of conveyance opinions. of persons and freight, too much at the expense of enterprising stockholders, who are spectators of the success of their philanthrophic schemes to benefit their country. According to the weekly MR. EDITOR :-Much has been written and said sales of stocks in railroads very few of them pay as of late, on the subject of "Fall Plowing,' a8 high as 6 per cent. per annum on the shares, and whether advisable or not. Some contend that it more which pay but little or nothing; but still the is a great advantage to plow ground wanted for stockholders ought to feel well rewarded for the spring crops in the fall, while others say very litaccomplisment of their successful enterprises in tle or no soil should lie exposed to the frosts of acts of benevolence. winter in a plowed state. Our experience leads us For the New England Farmer. FALL PLOWING, &C. It is to be regreted that railroad corporations to say that fall plowing is a benefit and an advanhave not better feelings toward each other; if tage according to circumstances. Some eight or they were disposed to assist, instead of exercising nine years ago, we turned over a homestead meada baleful competition to injura each other, it would ow just before winter set in, and in that condition be more in Christian character, and more to the it lay till spring. We endeavored to plow as near pecuniary advantage of all parties. Where there six inches deep as we could, and as the work was is litigation there is always waste, and the direc-done with the "Prouty Plow," it was, of course, tors of railroads would do well to have as little well turned over. The soil was an upland old sward money as possible spent in ill nature, that the which had not been plowed for some thirty years. deserving stockholders might have more to com- In the spring the soil was levelled down with the pensate them for the risk they have run and the roller and harrowed without plowing, and planted expenses they have been at. I hope the millennium to corn, when a heavy crop was produced. No among railroad corporations will soon take place, manure was plowed in the fall previous, nor was when they will sit down in smiling repose to- any used in the spring excepting some compost, gether, (I do not mean on the track,) when there which was spread on the gravel knolls. Since that shall be no disagreement among them to cause time we have turned over meadows in the same injury to either party, when they shall all agree way, and in the spring spread on a heavy coat of in equitable charges for passengers and freight fresh manure,mixing and covering it as well as we that railroad conveyance throughout the country could with the harrow, and not plowing it again may be sustained without bearing too heavily for fear of tearing up the old sward. In this way upon an enterprising class of citizens. This war- fine crops of corn and potatoes have been profare of driving one another from the field gener-duced at small expense of labor But a better way, ally costs more than it comes to; the ground is we think, would be, to give the old meadow or generally purchased at a dearer rate than it would sward a good covering of stable or dung manure, cost by treaty. Christian policy is the best, after turning it down six or eight inches deep, and letSILAS BROWN. ting it lay till spring. Still, as stable or dung manWilmington, 1853. ure is not generally at hand in the fall, a good N. B. I have made assertions in the above com-way is to get the nure all out on to the sward, munication, if doubted, I think I can prove by or meadow, in the s¡ ring, and then in the first of statistics which are omitted in this that the com- May, spread and turn manure all down with munication should not occupy more than its share a six or eight inch furrow. Ve consider the differ of room. ence betwixt fall and sprin plowing, as being more with the convenience of the farmer as to time, than whether the soil shall be killed by one DOUBLE, OR MICHIGAN PLOW. process, or cured by another. Both plans have The Albany Cultivator, in reply to questions of a their peculiar advantages-fall plowing in breakcorrespondent, says :-"The Michigan Plow, which ing down old swards that are inclining to stiff clay, is strictly a trench-plow, is a capital implement, killing frosts, while spring plowing has all the adand exposing a multitude of larvæ of nsects to but it requires nearly double the amount of team vantages peculiar to itself. All farmers of "proto draw it, that is needed for a common plow of gress" go in for deep plowing. And yet we think corresponding size." a great deal of unnecessary talk has been made as We have given the double plow a pretty fair to know just how long time it shall take to get down trial on our own farm, and have conversed with to a certain depth of soil, say ten inches. There is little danger that a farmer will plow an old d several excellent plowmen, in regard to the amount at a depth of eight or ten inches the first time, of power required for this plow, compared with unless it should be done by the double plowing of one having a single mould-board, and the opinion surface and subsoiling. We never have yet & en is common that the double plow requires no more an acre of soil, whether it be a good soil or and, power, if, indeed, it does quite as much, to do the barren soil, that ever was injured in the long run same amount of work. We plow a furrow eight to the contrary, and if so, then all very well. Take by deep plowing. Others may have seen diely and nine inches in depth by ten inches wide, with an old barren field and plow it eight inches deep, two pair of oxen, on a stiff sward land, where it the first time, and the subsoil brought to the sur face will have a sterile appearance. In that case the ber, 1853, the death of JAMES. E. TESCHMACHER was manure or most of it,should be spread upon the sur- announced by Samuel Walker, of Roxbury, (late face and worked into the soil with the harrow and President of the Society.) cultivator. This top or subsoil, after it has under- On motion, the President, J. S. Cabot, of Salem, gone the action of the sun, air and rains together appointed Samuel Walker, William S. King, and with the workings of the harrow, cultivator and B. V. French, a Committee to draft resolutions hoes will become as good, or even better than the expressive of the sense of the Society upon their top soil turned to the bottom of the furrow,by the loss. end of the season. We think as much will be The Committee reported the following preamble gained in deepening the soil for a permanent im- and resolutions, which were adopted: provement in one season in this way, as would be Whereas, God in his Providence has called from gained in two or three years by lowering the plow- this scene of his labors, in the fulness of his ing an inch or two in a season. On many farms strength, and suddenly, without premonition, our the soil is so uniform that one kind of plow, and beloved associate, James E. Teschmacher-it is other implements, to match is all that will be neces- Resolved, That the Massachusetts Horticultural sary for the farmer to have,if they are of the right Society, while they acknowledge the inscrutable kind,such as "Prouty's" or "Ruggles" pattern. A wisdom of God, and bow before this solemn evigood sward plow will be a good plow to plow mel-dence of his power, deeply and sincerely mourn the low or stock ground, as we have found after ten loss they have sustained. In Mr. Teschmacher years trial. Many teachers will say, that you must this Society possessed an accomplished and expehave one plow to plow sward ground and another rienced horticulturist, a wise and cautious adviser, to plow mellow ground, one to plow flat surfaces, and an active and useful member; while each of us, and another to plow lapped furrows, and so on. his late associates, ever found in him an intelligent, Now there is no objection that we can raise to far-interesting and unpretending companion, an honmers having all these plows if they feel so disposed. orable man and a firm friend. But three or four plows of the right stamp, Resolved, That in his death, Science, Literature costing from eight to ten dollars a plow, makes a and the Arts have been deprived of an earnest stuhandsome sum when put together. If every person dent and a faithful expounder-one ever anxious averages one good plow, it will be more than we to learn, and always willing to impart knowledge. shall expect to see in the next ten years to come. Resolved, That, in token of esteem for the charOf course we do not mean to say that all soils acter and acquirements of our late associate, and should be plowed with one plow, it will vary of of sorrow for his loss, the members of this Society course, according to circumstances. But a plow will wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty that will turn a furrow eleven or twelve inches in days. The Society then, as a further mark of respect, immediately adjourned. width, may do the work just as effectually as one Resolved, That we tender our sympathy to his turning a 7 or 8 inch furrow. The difference is bereaved widow and family; and that the Presinot so much in the width of the furrow slice cut, dent of the Society be requested to transmit to as it is in the manner in which the work is done. them a copy of the Preamble and Resolutions; and The difference would be a quarter or a third that the same be published. more furrow slices in a field, in one case, than the other, but no difference in the yield of the crop will be seen. The same principle may be applied to mellow plowing, a heavy plow could work the soil over just as effectually as a light plow, and at the same time do the work much faster with econemy of time. Yours, &c., L. DURAND. Derby, Ct., Nov. 29, 1853. JAMES E. TESCHMACHER. HUMUS. The fertility of a soil is generally considered to depend upon the quantity of humus it contains. No matter how efficient it may be in organic substances, a portion of organic matter is indispensably requisite to ensure productiveness. The best One after another, the good and the useful are and most economical method of supplying humus taken from us, while yet in the midst of life and to soil, perhaps, is by turning in green crops.health, leaving wide chasms in the ranks of those When this method of amelioration is adopted, the devoted to our beloved Art. Even if they were vegetables selected for turning in should be such fully ripe, like a shock of corn in its season, and as derive the most of their nourishment from the their days of active usefulness were over, we should atmosphere, or in other words those which are scarcely know how to spare them; but when cut least exhausting to the soil in which they grow. down suddenly, taken from our sides, as it were, Up to the period of inflorescence, buckwheat, peas, while laboring in our accustomed fields, it deeply clover, and a variety of other plants classified in impresses us with the sublunary nature-even of the same category, draw but slightly from the the richest and the best of all things here. While soil, the economy of nature being such in regard to we cherish their memory, therefore, in our deep- them, that a comparatively small amount of aliest heart, we will do as they would probably have ment is demanded from this source. Hence it is advised us, press on with duty, whatever it may that soils which are nearly or quite deficient of be, and endeavor to add as many real blessings to vegetable energy, are abundantly capable of prothe world as they have added. At a special meeting of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, held on the 12th day of Novem ducing a large amount of haulm, though they would necessarily fail to perfect a crop of grain. When buckwheat, peas, clover, etc., are inhumed by being carefully and systematically turned in by unproductive. We are of course speaking of soils the plow, and imbedded in the soil, the vegetable characterized by a vastly preponderating amount organism is immediately broken up, and converted of aluminous matter, and not of that more cominto humus on vegetable food: the fermentation mon and valuable description of lands, known as or putrefactive process, requisite to this result be- clayey loams. These are so constituted as rarely ing completed with greater or less rapidity, accord- to demand any effort whatever on the part of the ing to the state of the weather, and the character cultivator, to change their constitutional characand condition of the crop at the time of turning ter, and are generally capacified for productiveness, it down. The gaseous products of the fermenting if but a slight quantity of manure is applied, anmass are imbibed readily, and with great facility nually, to the crops they are required to produce. by the soil, while the other products-viz: those But in all tenacious, viscid and retentive clays, of a solid or fluid character, if permitted to remain which require loosening, the fermentation of a undisturbed, are speedily incorporated and mixed green crop, produces highly beneficial results. It with it. But should the soil be again plowed be- also communicates to the soil many principles of fore the process of decomposition has been thor- which it was before deficient: such, for instance, oughly perfected, as is too often the case, especially as the inorganic elements of vegetation, and assists when a dry crop is to succeed a green one, much powerfully, in rendering soluble, and therefore apthe larger portion of the gaseous, and not a small propriable, the insoluble substances it previously per centum of the fluid products, will be dissipated, contained. On this account, unfermented manure and of course lost to the soil. It is therefore a good is always beneficial to such soils, and productive plan to turn in the green crop with a deep furrow, of the most obvious effects, both on the soil and and prepare the surface for the reception of the crops. seed to be sown, by harrowing, as the plow goes too deep for profit, and prevents thereby, to a certain extent, the very results it is intended to produce. A writer in one of our most popular agricultural publications, discussing the importance to the farmer, of this system of amelioration on light arenaceous soils, says:— For the New England Farmer. RAIN IN A YEAR---SLACKING LIME. MR. EDITOR:-Will you or some of your correspondents who have a rain guage, please inform me through the Farmer, the quantity that usually falls in a year? (a.) E. Raymond, Me. How much water should be applied to lime "In order to obviate wastage, and to render the when slacked, for agricultural purposes, and how mass more speedily and effectually available to the much salt should be added to the water? (b.) growing plants, it is recommended before turning How much of the slacked lime ought to be addthe ameliorating mass, from twenty to twenty-five ed to a cord of muck to be used as a dressing for bushels of lime to the acre be applied. This, potatoes in the hills. (c.) Please answer and by oblige. S. TENNY. its powerful action upon the buried fibres and foliage, will induce a vigorous and rapid fermentation, and as the lime will immediately absorb and REMARKS. (a.)-The amount of rain falling in fix the carbonic acid, one of the most important the course of a year varies in different places. In products of vegetable decomposition, as well as form an English work, we find the statement to be, a ready combination with the vegetable matter of the mass, its application is highly essential in order to obviate unnecessary waste, and to facilitate both the decomposition of the haulm, and the appropriation of its fructifying products, by the intended crop. Lands of a light, arenaceous texture We have no reliable tables at hand to show the are often indebted for their supposed incorrigible sterility and unproductiveness to the predomi-land States, but have supposed it to be not quite amount of rain falling annually in the New Eng nance of noxious acids or salts. These are sometimes innate to the soil, though more commonly produced by the application of matters intended as manures. But whatever their origin or character, they are speedily neutralized and rendered perfectly inoxious by lime. Should there be extant any original or insoluble humus in the soil, it will also, by the efficacious action of this mineral, be converted into a salutary and highly nutritious pabulum, or food for the succeeding crop." 66 Under the tropics of the New World..... In the temperate zone of the New World, Of the Old World.. .115 inches .37 66 .814 .......344 so much, (including snow) as stated above. (b.) Add salt to water so long as the water will dissolve it, then wet the lime with it until the mass falls in a fine powder. (c.) Add equal to a cask, at least, of unslacked lime to each cord of meadow muck; and more, if lime comes to you at a cheap rate. The whole should then be worked over most thoroughly, so that all the muck may be impregnated with the lime. On clayey lands, the turning in of green crops has a tendency to break the cohesiveness which is In Buffalo,one firm alone have sold and shipped one of the principal causes which render them over four thousand barrels of apples this fall. |