} No. 52.-VOL. 4. AMERICAN FARMER.-BALTIMORE 21st MARCH, 1823. THE AMERICAN GARDENER. CHAPTER VI. Of Flowers, and of Ornamental Gardening in snow was on the ground. General. 409 This is the way the Hyacinth is multiplied. It 369. MIGNONETTE.-An annual that is a fine and fragrant flower; it blows early, and bears abundance of seed. The plant and the will blow well even in glasses in a room; but flower do not surpass those of the most contempbetter in earth. A fine flower for a green-house, tible weed; but the flower has a very sweet where it would be out in full bloom while the smell. It may, if you have a green house, be had at any time of the year The plants may 358. JASMIN-Has the merit of a very de-stand at four or five inches asunder; but, if they [CONCLUDED.] lightful smell, and that only. Its leaf and flow-stand thicker, the bloom is inferior, and does 350. GUELDER-ROSE.--This is called er are magnificent. It climbs, however, and is not last so long. here the Snow Ball tree. It is raised either from good to cover bowers. It is easily raised from 370. MORNING STAR.-This fine shrub layers or suckers. Its bloom is of short dura-cuttings. See Paragraph 275. has been sufficiently described in Paragraph 329. tion; but for the time, makes a grand show in al 359. JONQUIL.-An elegant and sweet smel-It can be raised from seed, or from layers. shrubbery. The suckers of it ought to be dug ling bulbous rooted plant. Propagated, and cul- $71. MYRTLE.-The Myrtle is a native of clean away every year. tivated in all respects, like the Hyacinth, which climates where it is never cold. It will not en351. HAWTHORN.-This tree has been see. dure even November all out, in Long Island.— amply described in Chapter I. under the bead of 360. KALMIA.—An evergreen shrub of great To have it, therefore, it must be housed in winFencing. Sometimes it is called Hawthorn, and beauty, and of several varieties, great quantities ter. It may be raised from seed, cuttings, slips, sometimes White-thorn, of which are seen in most of the rocky woodlands or layers. The leaf of the Myrtie has a fine 352. HEART'S-EASE, or Pansey.-A beau-of this country. smell; and, when the tree is in bloom it is prettiful little annual, which has great varieties, and 361. KILL-CALF.-Mentioned in Paragraph ty. But, it is a gloomy looking shrub. One all of them pretty. It blows all the summer.-328, which see. It is a dwarf shrub, and may Geranium is worth a thousand Myrtles. The It may be sown in the fall, without any care about be raised from seed, or from suckers. It is very broad-leaved Myrtle is the best in every respect covering the ground; but, it must not come up, pretty. When in bloom it resembles a large and especially because it is easily brought to in this country, till spring. clump of Sweet Williams. It is so pretty that blow. 353. HEATH.-The common English heath it is worth having in the green-house, where 372. NARCISSUS.—A bulbous-rooted plant, is hardy, but ugly. The Heaths from Africa are it would blow, probably in April, in Long managed precisely like the Hyacinth, which of infinite variety. Insignificant in flower, how-Island. see. It blows early, is very beautiful, and has a ever, and must be housed in Winter. They are 362. LABURNHAM.-This is a tall and delightful smell. Nothing is easier than the propagated from seed, or from slips, and will beautiful shrub, loaded, when in bloom, with propagation and management of flowers of this last a long while. A few in a green-house are yellow blossoms, in chains; whence it is some-tribe, and few are more pleasing. The Narcis. pretty; and they look gay in winter. times called the Golden Chain. I sent one out sus is a very nice thing for a parlour, or a green354. HOLLYHOCK.-This is a fine showy to Pennsylvania in 1800; but, though alive now, house. plant for a shrubbery. There are double and it has never got to any height, and has never 373. PASSION-FLOWER.-So called besingle, and none but the double should be culti- borne blossoms, being continually nipped by the cause the flower has a Cross in the middle, and vated. It may be raised from seed, or from off winter. That it will grow and thrive in this rays, resembling a glory, round the edges of it. sets. If the former it does not blow till the se- country is, however, certain; for I saw two very It is a singularly beautiful flower. The plant is cond year. It will remain in the ground many fine trees in grand bloom in the garden, between also beautiful. It is a climber, like the Honeyyears, and is perfectly hardy. Brooklyn and the Turnpike gate, last spring.-suckle; and, like that, has a succession of blos355. HOLLYHOCK. (Chinese).—This is a It is raised from the seed as easily as Indian soms that keep it in bloom a long while. It is more tender and far more beautiful kind than the Corn is. raised from cuttings, which, treated as other common. It is raised from seed only; blows the 363. LARKSPUR.—An annual of no smell, cuttings are, easily take root. second year, and only that year. It is, there-but of great variety as to colours, and, when in 374. POONY.-A perennial that may be fore, a biennial. a clump, or bed, presenting a great mass of raised from seed or offsets. A grand flower for 356. HONEYSUCKLE.-This, amongst all bloom. There is a dwarf and a tall sort. The shrubberies. Each flower is usually as big as a English shrubs, is the only rival of the Rose; dwarf is the best. There is a branching kind, tea-cup, and one plant will sometimes produce and, if put to the vote, perhaps as many persons which is good for nothing. twenty or thirty. would decide for one as for the other. Its name 364. LILAC,-Desirable for its great masses 375. PEA (Sweet.)-There are a great varieindicates its sweetness of taste, and the smell is of fine large bunches of bloom. There is the ty in the annual sorts as to colours of blossom, delightful almost beyond comparison. The plant White, the Blue, and the Reddish. It is propa- and, there is a perennial sort, called everlasting is also beautiful: it climbs up houses and over gated from suckers, of which it sends out too hea. This stands, of course, year after year, hedges; it forms arbors and bowers: and has a many, and from which it should be kept as clear The others are sown and cultivated like the comlong-continued succession of blossoms. It grows as possible. It is an ugly shrub when out of mon garden pea. They should have some sticks wild in all parts of England, in many parts cov-bloom. The leaves soon become brown. There to keep them up. This is a very showy flower, ering the hedges and climbing up the trees.- fore, there should be but few Lilacs in a shrub- and remains in bloom a long while. There is little variety as to sorts. That which bery. 376. PINK.-This flower is too well known is cultivated has a larger and deeper-coloured 365. LILY OF THE VALLEY.--This to need describing here. There are a great vabloom, but the wild has the sweetest smell. It the only Lily that I should like to have. It is riety of sorts, as to the flower; but all are cultimay be propagated from seed; but always is a pretty little dwarf plant, that thrives best in vated in the same way; exactly as directed for from cuttings; put into the ground in the spring, the shade, where it produces beautiful blossoms the Clove, which see. The Pink root will last a and treated like other wood-cuttings. See Para- of exquisite sweetness. It is a bulbous root, and great many years; but, the flower is seldom su graph 275. fine as the first year of the plant's blowing. propagated from offsets. 377. POLYANTHUS.-Every thing that has 366. LOCUST.-Well known, and suffici-been said of the Auricula (which see) may be ently noticed in Paragraph 329. It may be rais- said of the Polyanthus. It is a very pretty flow ed from suckers; but best from seed, which al- er, and universally esteemed. It blows finest out ways makes the straightest trunk. of the hot sun. Polyanthuses are best in beds; 357. HYACINTH.-This is a bulbous rooted plant, and, like all the plants of that class, is herennial. It may be raised from seed: but, as in the case of the Auricula and many other plants, it is many chances to one, that, out of a whole bed, you do not get a good flower; and, 367. LUPIN.-A species of pea or tare, and for a great part of their merit consists of the perhaps, it is a hundred to one that you do not frequently cultivated in the fields, and eaten in endless variety which they present to the eye.get a flower to resemble the mother plant.- soup and otherwise, by the Italians, and in the The Polyanthus has a delicately sweet smell like Therefore, none but curious florists attempt to South of France. It grows, however, upon a that of the Cowslip. raise frem seed. The roots are propagated from siff stem, stands upright, and branches out, like 378. POPPY.-A very bad smell, but still is off-sets; that is to say, the mother root, while it is a tree in miniature. There is a great variety of to be sought for on account of its very great vablowing, sends out, on its sides, several young sorts, as to colour of flower as well as to size of riety in size, height and in flower; and on acones. The old root, young ones and all, are put plant. The Yellow dwarf is the best, and it count of the gayness of that flower. The seed away in a dry place, out of reach of severe frost, smells very sweet. This plant, is, of course, an pods of some are of the bulk of a three pounds till spring. Then, when you plant the old one annual. weight, while those of others are not so big as out to blow again, you take off the young ones 368. MAGNOLIA.-One of the finest of the even a small pea. The smallest, however, conand plant them also. They do not biow the first laurel tribe. It can be raised from seed, or from tains a thousand seeds, and these come up, and year, and, if weak, not the second. But, in layers. A very fine shrub indeed. There are the plants flourish, with very little care. A prettime, they do; and then they produce offsets.-several varieties of it. ty large bed, with two or three hundred sorts in The Sweet William root does not last 387. SWEET WILLIAM.-A very pretty it, is a spectacle hardly surpassed in beauty by mean ones. They should, therefore, be cut to any thing in the vegetable creation. It is an an- within a foot, or less, of the ground; and all flower. Makes a fine show. Comes Double by nual, of course. It is well known as a medicinal dead or weak wood should be pruned out close chance; and is very handsome whether double plant; but, it is not so well known as a plant without leaving any ugly stubs. or single. It is propagated from seed, the plants from the seed of which sallad-oil is sometimes 383. SIBERIAN ČŔAB.-This Shrub is, by coming from which do not blow till the second made! The Germans, on the Rhine, cultivate some, esteemed for its fruit, of which they make year. whole fields of it for this purpose. It may be as a conserve, more, I imagine, to gratify the sight many years. It may be propagated by parting well, therefore, for us to take care not to use than to gratify the palate. But, as a tall shrub, the roots; and this must be done to have the German Sallad-Oil, which, however, can with it yields, for the time, to very few. There is same flower again to a certainty, because the great difficulty be distinguished from oil of olives. the red-blossomed and the white-blossomed.-seed do not, except by chance, produce flowers 379. PRIMROSE.—A beautiful little flower The branches of both, when in bloom, present like those of the mother plant. 388. TUBEROSE.-This is a bulbous-rootof a pale yellow and delicate smell. It comes ropes of flowers, while the trunk, the limbs, the very early in the spring; and continues a good branches and the leaves are all delicate in formed plant that sends up a beautiful and most fragrant flower. But, even in England, it cannot while in bloom. Of the fibrous rooted flowers it and in hue. 384. SNOW DROP-Is the earliest of all be brought to perfection without artificial heat in is the next to the Daisy in point of earliness.It is an universal favourite; and, in England, it flowers. In England it blows in January. Once the spring. If got forward in a green-house, or comes abundantly in woods, pastures and banks. in the ground it is not very easy to get it out hot-bed, and put out about the middle of June, it It is perennial like the Cowslip, and is propaga-again. Nothing but carrying it away, or actu- would blow beautifully in America. It is a nated in the same manner. How beautiful a Long-ally consuming it with fire will rid you of it.-tive of Italy, and the roots are brought to EngIsland wood would look in April, the ground be-No sun, not even an American sun, will kill a land and sold there in the shops. It is propagaSnow-Drop bulb, if it touch the ground. ted and managed prečisely like the Hyacinth, neath the trees being decked with Primroses ! 385. STOCK.-There are annuals and bien-which see. 380. RANUNCULUS.-Is a flower of the nials of this name; and, if I were to choose 389. TULIP.-Beds of Tulips vie with those nature of the Anemone, which see. It is propa- amongst all the annuals and biennials, I should of Carnations and Auriculas. They are made gated and cultivated in the same manner. These certainly choose the Stock. Elegant leaf, ele-shows of in England, and a single roots is sometwo flowers are usually planted out in beds, gant plant, beautiful, showy, and most fragrant times sold for two or three hundred guineas.— where they make a very fine show. flower; and, with suitable attention, bloom, And, why not; as well as make shows of pic 381. RHODODENDRON.-It never oc- even in the natural ground, from May to Novem-tures, and sell them for large sums? There is curred, perhaps, to any American to give this ber here. The annuals are called ten-week an endless variety in the colours of the tulip.fine name to the laurel with a long narrow leaf Stocks. And of these there are, with a pea-The bulbs, to have the flowers fine, must be and great bunches of blue, pink, or white flow-green leaf, the Red, White, Purple, and Scar-treated like those of the Hyacinth. The tulip ers, the balls, or pods, containing which appear let; and, then, there are all the same colours may be raised from seed; but it is, as in the case the year before the flower. It is, however, a with a Wall-flower or Sea-Green leaf. So that of the Hyacinth, a thousand to one against getbeautiful shrub, and not less beautiful on account there are eight sorts of the annual Stock.-Of the ting from seed a flower like that of the mother of its frequently covering scores of acres of biennials, there are the Brompton, of which plant. rocky sides of hills, or on account of English there are the Scarlet, and the White; the Dutch, 390. VIOLET.-This is one of the four faGardeners believing that it requires bog-earth which is Red; the Queen's, of which there are vourites of the Spring in England. It is a little (though fetched from many miles distance, at the Red and the White; and the Twickenham, creeping plant, that comes on banks under the vast expense) to make it grow and blow! which is Purple.-As to propagation, it is, of shelter of warm hedges. The flower is so well 66 382. ROSES.-A volume larger than this course, by seed only. If there be nothing but known to excell in sweetness, that, as sweet as would not describe the differences in all the sorts of the natural ground to rely on, the sowing musta violet," is a phrase as common as any in the this, which has for ages, been considered as the be early; the earth very fine and very rich.-English language. There is a purple and a Queen of Flowers, the excellences of which to The seed is small and thin, and does not easily white. Abundance of seed is borne annually by attempt to describe would be to insult the taste come up in coarse earth. If the plants come up both; and the plant is perennial. If you propaof every reader. I shall, therefore, merely thick, thin them, when very young. And do gate from seed, the flower does not come till the speak of the propagation and the management of not leave them nearer together than six inches. second year; but, one plant, taken from an old the plant. All roses may be propagated from They, however, transplant very well; and those root, will fill a rod of ground in a few years.— seed; but, as the seed seldom comes up till that have not place to blow in may be removed, There is a little plant in these woods in Long the second year, and as the plants come to per- and a succession of bloom is thus secured. If Island, with a flower precisely like that of the fection slowly, the usual mode of propagation of you have a green-house, glass frame, or hand-purple violet; but, the leaf is a narrow oblong, all sorts, except the China Rose, is by suckers. glass, you get flowers six weeks earlier.-The instead of being as the English is, in the shape These come out near old stems, during the sum- biennials are sown at the same time, and treated of a heart; the plant does not creep; and the mer; they are dug up in the fall and planted in the same way. They blow the second year; flower has no smell. out. In the spring they are cut down near to the but, if there be great difficulty in preserving 391. WALL-FLOWER.-It is so called, beground, and, the next year, they blow.-The them, in the natural ground, through the winter cause it will grow, sow itself, and furnish bloom China Rose is so easily raised from cuttings, and in England, what must it be here! Indeed, it in this way, by a succession of plants, for ever little bits, put in the ground in spring, will be cannot be done; and yet, they are so fine; so upon old walls, where it makes a beautiful show. trees, and have a profusion of bloom before the lofty; such masses of beautiful and fragrant It bears abundance of seed, plants from which fall. This Rose is in bloom in England, from flowers; and they continue so long in bloom, that produce flowers the second year. Some come May till January, if the soil and situation both they are worth any care and any trouble. There double, sometimes. If you wish to be sure of be good. It is very strange that Mr MARSHALL is but one way; the plants, when they get ten double flowers, you must propagate by slips of should set this down amongst "tender shrubs," or a dozen leaves, must be put into flower-pots. double-flowering plants. There are the yellow and say, that "it will not do abroad, except in These may be sunk in the earth, in the open and the, mixed, partly yellow and partly red.summer months." It stands the winter as well ground, till November (Long Island,) and when All have a delightful smell, blow early, and are as the oak, and, I have, for years, had it, against the sharp frosts come, the pots must be ta-generally great favourites I am afraid this the front of my house, blowing finely at Christ-ken up, and placed out of the reach of hard plant, even with covering, will not stand the mas, without any attempt at covering. In frost, and where there is, however, sun and air. winter out of doors in America, unless in the America, in the open air, it might not be in When the spring comes, the pots may be put south front of a building, and covered too in se bloom at Christmas; but it stands the winter as out into the natural ground again; or, which is vere weather; for, even in England, it is somewell as any tree that can be named. It is beau better, the balls of earth may be put into a hole times killed by the frosts. tiful for the Green house; for there it, mixed made for the purpose; and thus the plants will be "BRIGHTON AGAINST THE WORLD." with Geraniums, blow beautifully all the winter in the natural ground to blow. In this country long. As to the management of roses; the they should be placed in the shade when put out Henry Merwin, of Brighton, on a wager of ground should be good, and dug every autumn as again; for a very hot sun is apt to tarnish the $10, went into the woods on Saturday last, and directed for fruit trees, and should be ma bloom. cut and carded one cord of four foot wood in fifty nured frequently. They should (except when 386. SYRINGA, or Mock-orange-A very five minutes!! Mr. M. selected two beach trained against walls or over bowers) be kept cut stout shrub, with blossoms much like that of the trees, about half a cord each, which he fell, cut, down low; for, when they get long stems and orange, and with a powerful smell. It is propa-split, and corded, in 55 minutes. This is an inlimbs, they, like peach trees, not only look ugated from suckers, of which it sends out a great stance of despatch altogether unprecedented in the ', but bear but few flowers, and those very many. annals of chopping. NATURE OF ANIMALCULES AND AMERICAN FARMER. PHY-¡becomes a beautiful microscopic object, when what comparative quantity of agents are given 411 the small animals issue with such force as to out by each soil, as they display sufficient activireact on the capsule, and make it cross the field ty to be discovered when the solution is stirred Dear Sir-In your last communication to me These peculiar results will certainly afford an of facts, we have the strongest evidence that the of view, as it leaves behind an animated stream with any pointed body. From this assemblage you state, that you have not met with the late extensive field for inicroscopical inquiries; but process of vegetation chiefly depends on secrediscoveries and observations of Mr. John Bywater, when connected with the new views of vegetable tions and instinctive influence of this numerous of Liverpool, on animalculæ infusoriæ, and on the physiology, perhaps they partake of a higher class of agents. It may be difficult to conceive physiology of plants. Herewith I transmit you interest, as the circumstances attending these how they direct such an extensive process, yet a copy of one of his papers, as published in the discoveries evidently show, that small animals it is equally difficult to comprehend the nature of travels of the much famed English botanist John not only exist in, and extend their race with, that directing energy, by which spiders form Bradbury, F. L. S., corresponding member of vegetables, but in all probability are the real their various webs, or bees construct their curious the Liverpool philosophical society, and honor- sources of vegetable life. ary member of the literary and philosophical collections of small beings are the chief agents divinity, which instinctively impels and guides society of New York, United States. This gen-in forming, by their secretions and instinctive these wonderful operations. Altho' I had often That those isolated hives:-it must be the unerring influence of tleman performed his travels in America in influence, the embryo of a new plant, does not viewed the larger animalcule infusoriæ, and con1809, 10 and 11-and published them at Liver-appear improbable; for if an accumulation of sidered them as congeries of still smaller animals, pool in 1817. In this work you will find the new them can construct such delicate vegetable for-yet I had no idea of the form and character of and curious theory, treated on in the following mations as the branching varticella, when acting the little agents which compose these congeries, communication, more fully explained. Mr. Bradbury when on his tour through the suppose them capable of instinctively construct-applied to the farina, and then it was evident under their aquatic character, why may we not until I examined them by a similar light to that United States, became so much attached to our ing the embryo of a new vegetable which is to be that numerous small bodies, similar to those obrepublican institutions, that he removed his the abode of their future generations. family to this country, and is residing in this village. By the developement of one simple fact we in almost every point of these mucilaginous tained from the juices of vegetables, were lodged I am, sir, with much gratitude for the zealogy, to the knowledge of many others. The dis-of motion was derived. are often led directly, or by some imposing anal-lumps, and were the source whence their power and perseverance with which you pursue a covery that the capsules of the farina contained subject that I think any country is to be benefited by, your friend, &c. WM. CHAMBERS. numerous small animals, suggested the idea that infusoriæ, are put into a little water, and the water When particles, and the larger animalculæ similar agents might be detected in the other so far evaporated as to impede their rapidity of parts of vegetables, though probably without any motion, the individual energy of these little Observations on the nature of Animalcules, and consistent with experiment; for if the delicate and impart to us a new idea respecting animal apparent motion. This supposition was found writhing bodies will appear extremely manifest, principles of vegetable Physiology. In my communication to you on the principles fied and illuminated, numerous minute cylindrical in the locomotive power of animals, in conjunction leaves of flowers and vegetables are highly magni-locomotion. The discovery of this new principle of vegetable physiology, containing some new opaque bodies, similar to those we obtain from with several other particular results, connected opinions, chiefly resting on the evidence of what I the farina, are found imbedded in almost every with the animal economy, certainly involves considered strong analogies; but since that time, physical point of the leaves: a result which questions of no trifling importance, which, if several new results have been obtained, which points out the probability that these small agents hastily pursued, might excite the fears of many, place these opinions on a more solid foundation. might be detected in the sap and juices of plants lest the bold and inconsiderate speculators should Having seen it obseryed by different writers, that in a more active state. The correctness of this carry the inquiry too far: but we have little to the small capsules of the farina fecundans burst inference is likewise readily established. If the dread on this account; for the better we underwhen they come in contact with water, and throw juices of vegetables are pressed out, and examin-stand the nature and character of the secondary out a quantity of variously described matter, Ied upon a slip of glass, we may observe that they agents, which the deity employs to accomplish was induced to make some microscopical ex-abound with numerous small bodies, like those the vast designs of his stupendous providence, perin ents, under an impression that they contain- imbedded in the leaves, which writhe about in a the greater must become our reverential admiraed animalcules, or would exhibit strong marks of most animated manner; thus proving by experi-tion of his unbounded wisdom and benevolence. vitality, as they seem to be the consummation of ment what had been inferred only by analogy. the vegetable process. In these experiments my expectations were not disappointed, as the farina contemplate the grandeur of an extensive forest, some of the aggregate animalcules display, they If, agreeably to this view of the subject, wel ever attentively observed the playful activity If Mr. Buffon and his speculative friends, had of most flowers gives out an abundance of animal- or even the more humble, yet not less pleasing must have concluded they were living beings, cules, somewhat similar to the very small one variety of a beautifully enamelled meadow, and and not merely organic particles without life, we obtained in such vast numbers by the process associate with this contemplation the idea that moving by a species of mechanism. That the of infusion. These results were obtained by every leaf and flower is the habitation of myriads whole race of Polypes are living beings we have putting a drop of water on a slip of glass, placed of sentient beings, we may perceive the end of very strong evidence; for some of the sorticella under the microscope, and then drop a little that benevolence which seems to clothe the earth induce a current to pass what is called their farina into the water; for, in a few seconds, a with herbs and flowers in such luxuriant profu-head, by the motion of small fibrille, and devour violent internal commotion commenced in the sion. Nor is the benevolence of this vast design the smaller animalcules, which are brought in capsules, and they burst, emitting a quantity of more conspicuous than its wisdom; for had these contact with them by this current, in a most glutinous looking matter, that manifested a high countless myriads of little beings floated in every voracious manner. The hydras also collect their degree of animation, and presented some very direction through the atmosphere in search of food, and if they are fed with small red worms, curious objects for the microscope: in order to food, their excessive numbers would have coun- cut into bits, the red substance of the worms may insure this beautiful variety, the sun must be teracted the engagement of almost every other part be seen dispersed through every part of the dybright, and the capsules so illuminated by an of the animal creation; but under their present dra, which in a little time becomes changed and oblique light, as to give them a glittering appear-character, they enjoy the light and air of heaven assimilated to the general mass, except a small ance and the water a dark blue. When this is without giving the least annoyance, and are sup-part, which is discharged, probably on account done, most of the farina, particularly that of the plied with food by the general laws of matter, of its not being fit for that purpose; thus showing geranium, will be seen to throw out silver acting on a curious organization they have in-their powers of secretion, which are energies str ams of beautifully animated matter; sometimes stinctively established. Having detected these generally considered as inseparable from the this matter will issue in straight lines, like little agents in the farina and found them imbed-principles of vitality. streams of light, from which small portions of ded in almost every physical point of a vegetable ; Having shown that agregate animalcules secreanimalcules will detach themselves; and float having also, completely recognized their activity tive powers, and by a number of facts proved about in various directions: From other capsules, in the various juices of plants, it may be asked they are congeries of small animals, similar these small animals are emitted almost on every how far the different soils partake of this anima-to those which abound in almost every part of side, and render the water a speck of scintilating ted character, as the inquiry may lead to results a vegetable, we are furnished with a tolerable When this sparkling matter is highly magni-agriculture. To examine any soil agreeably to as in all probability they are the supposed misintimately connected with the best interests of solution to what are termed vegetable secretions, fied, the animalcules appear like small opaque this view of the subject, it is necessary to place terious agents by which these processes are carried bodies, writhing about, and in some cases float-a little water on a slip of glass, or some transpa-forward; and as we can discover that these little iug down a stream they create by the force with rent body, and drop a portion of the soil into the agents increase in number in the agregate aniwhich they quit the farina. One of these capsules water, and then we shall be enabled to observe malcules, we may, perhaps, by a fair analogy matter. barm. I am, Sir your's, W. R. BULL. Very respectfully, &c. JOHN S. SKINNER, ESQ. TO THE EDITOR OF THE AMERICAN FARMER. TO DESTROY VERMIN ON HOGS, In vol. 4, No. 48, A North Carolina farmer fer the hitherto unaccountable movement of sap I began to think this experiment would fail; Irake, (see American Farmer 3d volume page in plants to this multiplying principle. Although was however determined to see the issue. Crab 135,) so as to have your ground as near as possible these little agents have generally a strong re-grass came up very thick, but very little of the freed from stubble; let your ground remain in this semblance to each other, yet those given out by crow foot; it grew well, was thick and high, say state; it will be perceived all this can be effected the farina appear to differ in size when obtained an average of three feet, no attendance was giv- by the 20th June, if the seasons be favorablefrom different flowers; therefore, future discov-en, and no protection save a good fence-I had it you'll then have time for a full crop of crab eries, and a more minute inspection, may show cut the last of August, or early in September; the grass. If this plan was pursued, I have no doubt that they vary in other respects, as well as in reason I had it cut so soon was, that I was under you'd not only obtain a full crop of oats, but also the general outlines of their dimensions, and that the impression I might get two cuttings, but was about 3000 lb. of good hay per acre, and should you even themselves are composed of a congeries of disappointed, hence I infer (also from other ex-deem the above in any way satisfactory to your still smaller beings. periments) it is always best to expect one crop correspondent, you can dispose of it in any way These agents are furnished by a variety of only from the ground, without it should be such you think proper. substances; for a little black ink or milk put crops, as would have sufficient time to mature on a slip of glass, or a bit of raw sugar dropped after the reaping of the former; this may be into a little water, are objects worthy of inspec- supposed, that I would be for encourging, or tion; nor will a scientific brewer find a small rather advising second cropping; if the ground is portion of wort, in a high state of fermentation, good you can effect two crops, if not you can make an uninteresting object, as it will be found com- it good by a plenty of manure, which is easily made plete y animated, though none or very few of by attention, and without attention, nothing will these agents are to be met with in fine ale, as the prosper. I have a little digressed, but to the point; greater part of them make their escape with the this grass was cut, three fourths at least was crab grass, the balance was crow foot; it was brought Some time ago I mentioned to you, it was pro and spread thinly before my door, say in a large bable that the beautiful plumage of the feather-yard, it received the sun for three days, being also ed tribe owed its designs and variety to an agency frequently turned, it received the dew of one night answers the enquiries, respecting vermin on hogs, of this kind, as the various phenomena attending only, I examined it and thought it was sufficiently which were propounded in vol. 3, No. 47. He the growth of feathers bear such a strong analogy cured; had it housed, and six days after, I took recommends TAR.-If instead of tar you take to many of the vegetable phenomena: since then two fellows with me and weighed it, the weight lamp oil, and rub it on when the hog is clean, it I have found, by inspection, that these little was eight hundred weight from the above piece will destroy both lice and knits. Hogs should opaque bodies are inclosed in almost every part of ground; I believe had I deferred having it cut be kept without litter, except in extreme cold a month longer, say October, it would have been weather, when clean straw should be furnished at least 1000 lbs. it was as good hay and as bright twice a week. In summer hogs should at all times These, and numerous other results, open a wide a colour as I would ever desire on my plantation. have water where they can wallow, and they will field for investigation; but several circumstances In the year 1822, I had about half an acre; this keep on a coat of mud so as to prevent fleas or have induced me to waive the inquiry for the ground was ploughed, and cross ploughed, in about flies from being troublesome.-The same Farmer present. Nevertheless, should you meet with February; this also was a cow pen, but not well requests information respecting vermin on horses, any new and interesting facts in America, I shall manured; nothing more than the ploughing was cattle and sheep. For horses-first clean your be glad if you will send me a detail agreeably done, no seeding whatever.; I did not have this stables and whitewash every part, then card the to your promise, the first opportunity, and believe piece cut until October; I was not particular in animal and brush him well with a hand brush, me your's truly, weighing it, but believe I made rather more in so as to get the skin clean-take the fat of boiled JOHN BYWATER. proportion, than the year previous; it is my opini-bacon, while soft, and rub it all over with the Questions for naturalists who are in possession on, if a southern planter wishes to make hay, the hand or hand brush; tie him short, so as to preof high magnifying glasses. crab grass is the best he can turn his attention to, vent his turning round his head (or he will lick What vegetables produce the most animalcules? and I agree with Mr. L, has been sadly neglect-the fat off), litter with clean straw and burn it If it be red clover, how far are we indebted to ed. If any gentle man was to adopt the following in the morning, lead the horse to water and take that particular property for its fertilizing qual-plan, I have no doubt but he would succeed be-care he does not roll-in three days repeat the ity? What composition of earth, or soil contains the yond his expectations-let him have two, three, rubbing, with the same precaution as to tying and or four acres, of good land; let him have it broke rolling. The vermin burrow between the outer up well in January, or early in February, the and inner skin, eat off the roots of the hair, and former best, lay his ground off with a small this occasions itching, which causes the animal plough 18 inches asunder, manure each drill to rub off his hair against trees and fences. Cleanwith cotton seed, (fresh from the house best, no liness and good keeping is the greatest safeguard danger of the germinating quality of said seeds, against disease and vermin. of the feather. most animalculæ ? CRAB OR CROP GRASS. W. C. affecting the crop, as the frosts will check all With respect to sheep, nothing can be done Barnwell Dist. Duncansville, 27th Jan. 1823. sprouts of the cotton seed,) say from 25 to 30 except you shear them, which may be done at Dear Sir,-In No. 41 of the American Farmer bushels per acre, then plant 1 bushels oats per any season, taking care to keep them housed in 4th volume. page 327, I notice the request of acre, and cover both at the same time, as soon as cold weather and rain; after shearing, rub them John D. Legare, Esq. through the medium of your the oats will bear a hoeing, give it; a fortnight or well with soft soap; they will be clear and clean paper, to state what method has been pursued three weeks after plough it with a small flake in a few days. It the vermin adheres to the with the greatest success, for obtaining a crop plough, without mould boards, this would be pre-fleece, take a flour barrel without heads, dig a of crab, or crop grass, when cultivated by itself;ferable to a hoeing, inasmuch that it would not small hole in the ground, put in tobacco stems at what time the ground should be broken up, only destroy what young grass or weeds may and saw dust, set it on fire, place the barrel over and what attendance is necessary, and what has come, but it pulverises, and hill the earth nicely the hole with a few smooth sticks over the upper been the produce. to the young roots, and stalks of the oats; a fort end of the barrel, and spread your fleece over the Having made two little experiments, I offer night or three weeks after, repeat the same, if sticks, sheer side down, and in a few minutes the them to you-probably it may be some satisfac- the ploughing cannot be conveniently done, a smoke will clear off every species of vermin. tion to your correspondent. My object was to hoeing may answer, but I'd remark, it makes Bucks County, 6th March, 1823, procure a crop of the crow foot grass, to make this difference, in the first place, it is more exhay. I had a small piece of ground less than a peditious, for a boy and horse can plough at any quarter of an acre, (as well as I remember about rate, two and a half acres of oats, 18 inches drills, seven eights of of an acre,) it was good pine ir a day, and I think it is a common allowance to QUERIES RESPECTING A NEWLY IN. land, a little cow-penned, but not rich; this ground give a hand only one acre of oats per day, as a VENTED HEMP BREAKER. was ploughed, then cross ploughed, and harrowed task, or day's work, I have never given more. Kenanowen, near St. Louis, over nicely; I then had the ground laid off, across In the second place, I believe ploughing oats will January 31st, 1823. the harrowing, 12 inches asunder, say in drills, have a tendency to promote a greater yield; this DEAR SIR, with what we term a bull tongue plough; this was will be all the tillage requisite for the oat crop; Any information you can give on the subject done in the latter part of May 1821. I then plant-as soon as the oats is ripe, (and let the planter not of the following resolutions, particularly as to the ed, soon after, about two quarts of crow foot grass wait till it be dead ripe,) have it cut, and have price, probable bulk and weight of the machine; ed, in those drills: and then covered it; it re-your ground as soon after as possible, ploughed, where, or of whom to be had, will be thankfully ed some time in the ground, so long, that and cross ploughed, then raked with a horse received. 64 PROFITABLY TURN HIS ATTENTION. Resolved, that the committee of correspond-NEW OBJECTS TO WHICH THE FARMER MAY should be well harrowed down in order to afford ence be requested to ascertain and report to this a fine state of mould as a bed for the seed." Society at its next meeting, all the correct "The land should be kept clean from weeds, "information they can obtain respecting the More than once we have spoken of the profit-the plants should be hoed out so as to leave them "machine lately invented for breaking hemp, less monotony which marks the habits of most of twelve inches apart, and have them well earthed "of which some description has been published our land holders; they go on, year after year, cul-up. When the blossoms fall the plants are ripe in the newspapers and that they correspond tivating the same two or three articles, with no and in a state to be cut and secured. They should "in the name of the Society, with the members of variation in the modes of tillage, and little in the be cut with about nine inches of stem, and tied “other Agricultural Societies, or such others as price of the commodities, in the belief that other up in handfuls with some of the stems, On the "are likely to give them information on the articles may be brought into view, and that their evening of the day on which they are cut, they " subject." history, culture, and uses will prove entertaining should be put into a dry shed, and should be exAs a member of the above named committee, even though they may not be profitable. We give posed to the sun daily in clear weather, till they and in the absence of the other two members, I below some remarks on the cultivation of TEA- become perfectly dry; they should then be sorted take the liberty of addressing you on this subject, ZLES, a very curious vegetable production used and kept in a dry loft." although I am aware of the probability that the for raising the nap on woollen cloth, and for which Having given an account of the manner of raismost if not all the information you possess on human ingenuity can devise no artificial substi-ing this plant in England, I shall offer some rethis and similar subjects, is imparted to the public tute.-Edit. Am. Farmer. marks on the mode of cultivating it in this country. through the means of the American Farmer. If, however, in either of the above particulars you can afford to our Society any information, which is not to be found in your valuable journal, we hope you will do so or that you will have the goodness to direct us to the source whence such information may be obtained. I am, very respectfully, Dear Sir, your obedient servant. J. S. SKINNER, Esq. From the Statesman. CULTIVATION OF TEAZLES. Those who cultivate them here, are not sufficiently attentive to the quality of the seed. Instead of taking it from fine heads, that have been permitted to ripen, they collect it promiscuously As the season is approaching when the spring from those that have been collected for sale. As planting will commence, I have presumed through the teazle is cut for use when the blossom falls the medium of your excellent paper, which I before the seed is ripe, the plants cannot be so observe is devoted to every subject that can vigorous as when taken from those heads which subserve the interest of the agriculturist, mer-have been permitted to ripen. chant, and manufacturer, to call the attention The choosing of a genial soil, and situation, of the former to the growth of the cardicia together with keeping the crop clean from fullanium, or fuller's teazles. weeds, by good hoeing, is generally neglected by The Editor does not know to what particular They are employed for raising the nap on wool- our farmers; all of which appear to be essentially publication the Society here alludes. But he len cloth, and no other material can be used as a necessary to insure a productive crop. hopes the publication of their resolution will call substitute. It is a biennal plant, and there is' Those who cultivate them in this country, sow forth from the proprietor of the machine in some uncertainty in obtaining a crop; but when the seed in beds and transplant them in the fall. question, the information desired. He begs the planted in a suitable soil and properly cultivated This system is highly objectionable, and is no favor of his subscribers to call to the subject the the chance is three to one in favour of a success-doubt the principal cause of the frequent failure attention of any person who may be likely to ful result. The crop, in England is sometimes of the crop. The growth of the plants is checkpossess the means of answering the inquiries. fourteen or more packs to the acre, and at other ed by being transplanted, the roots will not deIn the mean time, he has written to a distinguish-times scarcely any. When cut they are sorted scend to the same depth in the soil, and the winter ed publick spirited agriculturist of New York, into three different kinds-into kings, middlings, comes on before they have recovered their priswho is joint proprietor of a flax breaking machine, and scrubs-they are then made into packs, the tine vigour; hence the cause of the plants being and the hope is entertained that from him a com- kings containing nine thousand, the middlings destroyed; either partially or altogether during munication will be received, which may be valua- twenty, the third or scrubs, are not considered the winter season. ble to a great number of our friends in the west, as of any value. Last year our crop was generally destroyed, who are turning their attention to the culture of The demand for teazles in this country is al-and had not a supply been obtained from England hemp and flax.-Edit. Am. Farmer. ready considerable, and is daily increasing. Some the woollen manufacturers would have been much manufacturers are now consuming more than injured. In that country the crop is usually more Edin-three hundred thousand per annum. Supposing or less productive, but owing to the moisture of that ten packs were the produce of an acre of the climate, is of little value. This was peculi BY land, and the market price were only twenty-five arly the case with that of the year 1822. When cents per hundred, the cultivator would realize the crop failed here last summer, manufacturers SIR, from the acre four hundred and seventy-two dol- and merchants imported to supply the demand, HAVING first read, in your 22d volume, an lars fifty cents, deduct from this for rent, labour, but most that were brought in, having been account of dibbling corn as a substitute for drill- &c. and it will be seen that no other crop can bought there by persons totally unacquainted ing, it may be of some use to inform you, that I prove so profitable to the farmer. with the article, the damaged teazles of the crop have, for several years past, put in my wheat "The soils most adapted to the growth of this of 1822 were sent out, which have proved a dead crops with what I call a block plough; making plant, are those of the more strong and deep loss to the manufacturers who purchased them. three seed furrows with one horse at the interval kinds; but which are not too rich, as loamy clays I have seen only one lot that can be considered a of nine inches, and making the ridges so sharp, and such as have strong marly bottoms, and are prime article, and those were bought of Messrs. that, upon the bush harrowing which follows, all fit for the growth of wheat crops." "The most favorable situations are those that the seed inevitably falls into the furrow, and the As this country appears to be destined to beland has the appearance of being sown with the are rather elevated, open, and incline a little to come the seat of manufacturers, it would be well most perfect and accurate drill. I can sow, in the south; and the higher grounds, particularly for our agriculturists to turn their attention to this manner, four or five acres a day in clay lands where the country is inclosed, are the most ad- the raising of such crops as will supply the new and wet seasons, when the drill will not act. My vantageous." demands thereby created. It would require From the last November number of the A SUBSTITUTE FOR DRILLING, Divie Bethune & Co. ported. A MANUFACTURER of Columbia County. instrument is an equi-angular triangle of about. "For the preparation of the ground, where it more than sixteen thousand acres to raise all that 30 inches to a side, with cast iron scuffler teeth, is a lea, it should be ploughed up deeply in the is wanting for the present woollen establish nents, and wooden blocks slipped over them. The early part of the year; and where it is inclined and the demand will be annually increasing. whole expense of the instrument does not exceed to moisture, it should be executed in narrow Should you consider this article worthy an in20 shillings. The seed is sown broadcast, after ridge of not more than three bouts each." sertion, it may encourage me to send you other the whole field is ribbed with the block plough "In the providing seed it should be constantly essays relative to the raising of articles now imIt is the most simple, rapid, economical, and use-taken from such plants as are the most perfect of ful implement in husbandry with which I am their kind, and the most productive in heads. It should be suffered to remain till it becomes peracquainted. fectly ripened, and be used while fresh.” "From one to two pecks are sufficient for an "The crop should be put in as early as the of the former, and both of the latter will be visi-pring will permit. The common method is to ble in this country, those of the moon being to-roadcast, it being sown after the manner that tal and very large. is practised for turnips. Before sowing, the land S. In the year 1823, there will be six eclipses, acre, some use three." namely four of the sun and two of the moon; one 0€ The exports from the City of Cincinnati alone, in the State of Ohio, in the fall and winter of 1821-22, are stated to have amounted, for three articles only (flour, pork, and whiskey,) to the value of $300,000. |