LADIES' DEPARTMENT. (From the Parthenon.) FEMALE BEAUTY AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS. Perhaps the following one, of a celebrated (for his inches,) may satisfy. the fountain of the graces, the limpid balsam of this. literary knowledge, diffuse the pleasure of instruc-runner, tion to her children, and illuminate by her cheerful conversation, all who are circled within the attracCINCINNATUS, (BOWIE'S.) tive sphere of the society in which she moves. The bay horse Cincinnatus was bred by me; he If a woman be as beautiful as one of the celestial Beauty is as fleeting and as fragile as the bloom of was got by Lindsey's White Arabian; his dam by beings, with whom the vivid dreams of imagination an exotic flower, blown under the chilling influence Dr. Hamilton's imported horse Figure; his grandam have peopled Mahomet's paradise, as lovely and of the northern breeze; education alone is the tower- (Thistle,) by Dr. Hamilton's imported horse Dove; fresh as the fabled Aurora, and as light and as grace-ing oak that defies the tempest of years. his great grandam (Stella,) by the imported horse ful as Hebe, yet if she does not unite to the exter- The most inestimable blessing which the benign Othello out of Col. Tasker's imported mare Selima, nal charms of her person, the refined accomplish- bounty of the creator has bestowed upon man, is which was got by the Godolphin Arabian. Stella ments and sublime sentiments of an elegant mind, the possession of a virtuous, amiable and educated was full sister to Col. Brent's famous mare Ebony she can never enchain the heart of a husband with woman-her love the highest delight which glad-and Mr. Galloway's celebrated horse Selim. those golden fetters which only death can sever. dens him in the vale of suffering, it is a green basis Signed, WALTER BOWIE. Sweetness of disposition, and intellectual endow that spreads for him its grassy verdure in the dements, wreathe those fetters with the ever-bloom- sert despair. In the possession of a lovely sym- Mr. Gittings, of Long Green, Baltimore county, Chesapeake was a grey horse, and was owned by ing roses of enjoyment, and call forth into action pathetic woman, even in the solitudes of life, only and no doubt some of the family may have the peall the tender charities which irradiate the sphere illuminated by her smiles, the soul is more gratified digree. You have the manuscript copy of Old of connubial happiness. A woman may shine in than upon the throne of Napoleon, when the world Dove's pedigree. Dove died the property of my mechanical accomplishment, though a ray of men- honoured it with its homage, and were dazzled by father. I think he died about 1774. You are going tal light does not dawn upon her mind: she may the lustre of its glory. to have an abundance of Gracchusses, Rattlers, Sir paint, sing, and play upon musical instruments, and Though Rousseau threw enchantment over the by these manual vocal arts, gain a transient triumph tender passions-though Byron and Ossian trans-Archies, John Richards's, &c. &c. heaping confusion upon confusion. over those who are contented with female cultiva- fused the most sublime and profound sensibility into I am your obed't serv't, tion hanging on walls, or hearing it vibrate upon love, yet they never experienced all those fine feel-J. S. SKINNER, ESQ. strings. But the man of discernment feels that a ings of which the pure heart of woman is susceptiwoman, thus gifted, can only amuse for an hour, ble. It is the fountain from which pity and ardent [We are almost tempted to wish that no horse and attract by her adscititious donations, some frip- affection gush out in a spontaneous and sweet that bears the name of another horse may ever win pery fops, who, like the stupid butterflies, light on flowing union. It is in the midst of trying suffering, a race. It is always a source of confusion, and exotic flowers, without fragrance or perfume, rather in scenes of distress and anguish, that the finest sometimes the means of fraud. For example, a few than on the odoriferous blossoms that yield delicious qualities of the female, and the noble traits of the weeks since a gentleman had agreed to pay a large honey. The looks of a stupid beauty, who "has female character, are displayed in all their charac- price for a horse which the owner said was got by not soul within her eyes," are fixed on the dead teristic grandeur. When a husband is suffering Tuckahoe, in general terms. Of course the purcalm of insensibility; they emit no electric spark to under the pressure of unutterable wo, when his chaser thought of no horse but the celebrated Tuckkindle the affections; so that they are examined prospects are withered by the dissolved illusions of ahoe bred by Mr. Wickham; but by chance, just as without emotion, and as they do not express passion hope, and the cruel desertion of friends, it is then he was about to pay the money, it leaked out that the or intellect, they are beheld without love. "I ne- that the consolations of a wife pour the balm of sire was Young Tuckahoe. The purchaser had never," said one of the mistresses of a royal profligate sympathy into the corroded bosom of grief. Ad- ver before heard of Young Tuckahoe, and of course of France, "dreaded the rivalship of a mere unpo-versity only gives an additional impulse of ardour refused to pay the money. Do gentlemen believe lished lump of beauty; but the wiles and sorcery to her attachment; it seems to inspire her with a there is any magic in a name, that is to give foot to of a sentimental Circe cannot be resisted." Ordi- spirit of devotedness to the object of her love, which slow horse, or make a dunghill nag game? Or is nary features, when lit up with the sunbeams of rises superior to the afflictions of misfortunes. No it, that, in good truth, they cannot hit upon some sensibility, generally excite the same passions which changes or chances can estrange her constancy or name that no other American horse of character ever possessed? Whether the one or the other, the they express; and the winning attractions of their subdue the intensity of her devotion. smile invests them with adventive charms, like va- The glowing and courageous attachment of wives practice is ridiculous, and its effect not a little misriegated hues with which a brilliant rainbow tints to their husbands, under calamity, danger, and ad-chievous, as well as inconvenient. For the help of the gloomy clouds. This is the fascinating charm verse fortune, has been nobly and singly exempli- all the trees and flowers, and birde, and rivers bethose who have difficulty in choosing a name, with which captivates without the aid of nature; it emi-fied in many instances during the Augustan pro a PEDIGREES OF VALUABLE HORSES. F. nently displays itself in a silent complaint of patient scription, and the plague of Florence; and the he-fore them, we refer to pages 286, vol. 8, and 15, vol. sufferance, in poignant affliction, and in tears, whe- roic virtues and conjugal piety of Lady Russell and 9, and can give a thousand more, if need be. In ther of transporting joy or of wailing sorrow, it is Madame Lavalette, must stand on the records of fact, it can be of no consequence what name a more irresistible than the artful languishments of immortality, emblazoned among the most resplen-horse bears, with this only exception-that no horse unlettered beauty. Looks, which do not corres-dant exploits that shed lustre on the female charac-in the same country has borne it before.] pond with the feelings of the heart, cannot be as- ter. sumed without labour and pain, as masked affec- Women LOVE with more truth and fervour than tion is easily known. The artificial aspect is as men. Women are bound by the sympathies of the poor a substitute for the expression of sentiment as heart, and guided by the precepts of religion; and the smear of paint for the blushing roses of blooming moral obligation; but alas! with men these ties are complection. not so sacred. Some men exult, when, by sworn It has been remarked, that the countenance is a vows and persuasive promises, they seduce inno- Just arrived in the Ceres, from London. ALDERmirror that reflects the predominant passions of the cence and triumph over virtue. The victim of se- MAN is a beautiful dark bay, ten years old, near sixsoul, and displays an angry, a disdainful and a sus-duction must regret having ever experienced the teen hands high, bred by Lord Grosvenor, and got picious temper, in prominent characters, that are devastating and desolating sentiment of love, that, by his lordship's highly celebrated stallion PotSos, universally understood. It is also equally true, that like the scorching blast of tropical tempests, parch-out of Lady Bolingbroke, who was the dam of Tcthe more pleasing, exalted and softer passions of the es the flower and blights the foliage of the orange totum Premier, and many other fine horses; she was female heart legibly impress their signatures upon tree, which otherwise would spread its fragrant got by Squirrel, out of Cypron, the dam of King the visage. Beauty then may be pronounced a blossoms in the atmosphere, and shoot its graceful Herod, who was got by Blaze, Bethel's Arabian, bright emanation of intellectual excellence, that re- branches to the skies. Graham's Champion, Darley Arabian, Merlin. flects in its limpid current, the brilliant atmosphere of a sprightly temper, and galaxy of refined sentiment. SPORTING OLIO. FINGAL. November 9, 1827. In the winter of life, when the gaudy flowers of personal beauty are nipped by the "rude breathing" SIR, of age-when the lustre of the blue eyes are dimm- Referring to your No. 33, vol. 9, I take the libered, and the bloom of rosy cheeks faded, how fallen ty to offer some amendment to the pedigree of Primthen will be the unideaed woman, who has no re- rose. Othello did not come out of Selima, but got sources in the treasury of the mind; she will re- some good stock from her. It appears that he was main a tyrant without power, a prey to envy and imported several years after Selima. He was the A woman of intellectual accomplishment, property of Col. Tasker, who also owned Selima. on the contrary, in the evening of life, will draw at I could show you many ancient pedigrees, to prove retnorse. | In performances, Alderman, perhaps, has run more than any other horse now on the turf. It would swell this advertisement beyond the usual limits, were they to be all enumerated here. Those of most consequence will be mentioned, referring to the racing calenders. His first race was in 1790, when he started at two years old, at New Market, for the Craven stakes; fourteen horses started; he was the fourth, beating the Duke of Bedford's Swallow, and Lord Grosve nor's famous horse Alexander, with several others. 1791. He won at Huntingdon at five heats, against four year old horses, he receiving 4 lbs. less in weight than usually allowed. There were six horses started; Alderman came in 4-3-1-0-1; won the last heat by only half a neck. Same year, at Derby, he lost the two mile heats; several horses started 3-0-2. Same year, he run for the subscription plate at New Market, which was won by Creeper; he was not placed by the judge. Same year, he won the Nottingham purse, two mile heats, beating the Duke of Grafton's Spearman, and distancing a filly of Lord Gainsborough's; and the next day he run the four mile heats against Sulkey, &c. but was beaten, though he came in very handsomely. Same year, at Derby, he beat Lord Donegall's Primrose, and Sir John Leicester's Smoaker, four heats-2-2 1-1. Same year, at New Market, he beat Mr. Churchill's Sir Charles, giving 7 lbs. over the Bacon course, 44 miles. Same year, at New Market, he run for the subscription purse; all the first horses in the kingdom were in the race; Alderman was the sixth horse. JOHN BANKS. MISCELLANEOUS. STOMACH PUMP. Sandy Spring, Montgomery co., Md. Į } a very distinguished place among the first racing unhappy victim. His death took place eight hours 1792. He paid forfeit at New Market to Hector; a match of 200 guineas, to give Hector 12 lbs. Same year, at New Market, he beat the Duke of J. S. SKINNER, ESQ. Bedford's Halkin and six others. Same year, at Brightelmstone, he run with four horses, four mile heats he was first in the first heat, and was second in both the other heats. Same year, he run for the Oatland stakes; twenty horses started; he was not placed by the judge; but the odds were 16 to 1 against him at starting. Same year, at New Market, he paid forfeit to Toby, 75 guineas, match for 200 guineas. Same year, at New Market, he received forfeit 200 guineas, of Lord Craven's Trumpetta. 1793. He run at Egham, three four mile heats, but was beaten; seven horses started; he came in -3-2. Same year, he run at New Market for the King's plate, carrying 168 lbs. four mile heats, but was beaten by the fine horse Esparskes, whom Alderman had beaten before. Same year, he was beaten at New Market by the Duke of Bedford's Halkin, whom he had before beaten. 4 1794. At Ascot, be run against five horses, heats 24 miles; Alderman was third horse; and next day be run at the same place, the same distance, came in second horse, giving 13 lbs. to the losing horses, and 5 lbs. to the winning horse of the same age. Same year, at Blandford, he won the plate, four mile heats. Though I have never known this operation put in practice in cases of wounds from rabid animals, it is more than probable that if so applied, the most beneficial effects would be produced; and what in a special manner recommends suction, is, that in a great variety of cases the patient can be his own physician; and that if two persons are together, an instant cure can be performed. I have long intended to make this, or a similar communication to the public, through the Farmer, but have been prevented until this time by various causes. This is, however, a favourable moment, as the note of "Medicus" will, no doubt, draw some attention to the subject of poison. WILLIAM DARBY. That I am not writing from mere hypothesis, the following facts will determine. In A. D. 1147, Louis VII. of France, set out on a crusade, and 1795. At New Market, he won a match for 400 while on the expedition, was wounded by a poisonguineas, against Mr. Mizzinghy's horse. Same year, ed arrow. The wound was healed by the lips of at New Market, he beat Mr. Durand's Saltrum filly his wife, Eleanor of Guienne; (and paid by royal infor 200 guineas, two miles. Same year, at Ascot, gratitude;) of course the effect of suction was then he lost the plate, two mile heats; he came in 4-1 known; and yet, strange as it may appear, the me-2; and on the same day he run a 24 mile heats, dical faculty at Rouen, in February, 1827, and the and was the second horse; and the next day he run Academy of Sciences at Paris, at the same epoch, against Tearcoat, three miles, but was beaten; gave seem to have been either ignorant, or neglectful, of Tearcoat 11 lbs. At Lewes, he was beat by Al- the most simple and easily applied mode of extractborne, for 100 guineas, 1 mile heat; he gave Al-ing animal poison from the human body. In the Nat. borne 14 lbs.; and the next day he was beat by Mr. Intelligencer, June 28th, 1827, is inserted a con- To SPLIT LARGE STONES.-Kindle a fire on the Concannon's Woodpecker colt, carrying 7 stone, for densed account of death from the bite of a rattle-upper surface, which being expanded by the heat, a single mile, for 50 guineas; and on the same day snake, at Rouen, on the 8th of February, of the the stone splits. The hardest and largest stones he lost another race to Mr. Delme's filly, by Wood- current year. As reported in the National Intelli- may be split by this method, continuing the fire and pecker. Same year, at Egham, four mile heals, gencer, Mr. Drake, an Englishman, was conveying increasing the heat in proportion to their size. twelve horses started; he was third horse; and the to Paris a small collection of rattle-snakes and cronext day he beat Victor, for 50 guineas, two miles. codiles. This wretched man, it would seem, was Same year, at Abingdon, four mile heats, five horses entirely unacquainted with the physiology of the started; he came in 1-2-2. Same year, at Epsom, animals under his care. On arriving at Rouen, he four mile heats, he beat easily Mr. Durand's Let-mistook torpor from cold, for death; and handling combe. Same year, at New Market, for the sweep- one of the serpents near a stove, it revived, and stakes across the Flats, several horses started; he wounded him in the hand, in two places, on the was second horse, but was beaten only half a length by Janette. 1796. At New Market, he received forfeit from Juggler, 100 guineas. Same year, at same place, he run again with Mr. Concannon's Four Year Old, four miles, who again beat him. In this race he broke down. From this attested statement of his pedigree and performances, it will appear that Alderman has held back and palm. In the utmost terror and anxiety, THE FARMER. BALTIMORE, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1827. The next meeting of the Trustees of the Maryland Agricultural Society, will be held at Mr. George Cooke's, on Thursday, the 22d inst. rain or fair. paragraph, where Dr. Muse is stated to have raised CORRECTION.-In the report on Crops, 'p. 257, 4th 24,000 lbs. of cotton seed "this year," it should read "in 1826." In p. 268, for "Bonchretien Fure," read "Bonchretien Turc." For "Kirefskoi" read "Kiresskoi." It appears, from the exhibit here afforded, that the grade of the road should be so regulated, as that the same force of traction or draft, will be adequate to the transportation which will offer, in both directions, and of course it becomes important to ascertain the actual amount of tonnage that will pass each way, in order that the road may, as near as possible, be adapted thereto. sons supposed to be well informed in relation to the It is obvious that the remarks just made are ap- economy The calculations of Col. Long, so far as they relate to this object, are predicated upon the suppo- For example, the inclination required, agreeably sition, that there will be four times as much tonnage to the plan suggested, may amount to a rise of 20 transported upon the road, from west to east, as will feet in the mile, whereas, the natural surface of the be conveyed from east to west. The inquiry is one of deep interest, and we should suppose demands ground for several miles along the route, may be level, or have but half the inclination above menthe careful attention of the directors, it might, per- tioned; in this case, it is obvious, that the expense haps, afford important aid to the company, if per- of embankments necessary to the graduation prosons, whose pursuits in business have led them into a practical acquaintance with this subject, would posed, would be far greater than a due regard to would justify. The rule given can ap freely communicate their opinions upon it, and any which may be addressed to the editor of the Ameri-ply only to portions of the route similar to that be tween Baltimore and the ridge dividing between the can Farmer will be thankfully received. We deem waters of the Monocacy river, and those that fall the object of such vital interest, both to the compa- into the basin or harbour of Baltimore. ny and to the public, that we will cheerfully open our In relation to the 2d element, viz. the weight columns to the insertion of estimates and calcula- of the carriage compared to that of its maximum tions which would have a tendency to shed light load, what we have to state is drawn from a few upon the subject, and afford any information that practical examples, and is as follows: would aid the directors in arriving at a safe conclu-On the Hetton Rail-road, the weight of the carriage sion as to the probable relative amount of transportation, east and west, upon the road. All editors of papers through the range of country connected with this great work would promote its best construction, by aiding in the attainment of information on the points here stated. is to that of its load, as Troon Quincy do. do. do. do. do. 1 to 2.5 By pursuing this mode of investigation, we shall find that, when the inclination amounts to 21.12 per mile, (the proportion of the carriage to its load being as 1 to 3, and that of the friction as 1 to 150,) the ascending load would consist of the carriages only; trade, would be necessary to convey the empty caror the whole of the power required in a descending riages back again. The foregoing remarks are respectfully submitted, with the hope that they may throw some light upon this important subject. S. H. LONG. Baltimore, Nov. 12, 1827. BALTIMORE PRICES CURRENT. Reported for the American Farmer, by Lewis Sutton & Co. Seconds, as in quality, $3.00 a 6.00-common crop, 3.00 a 4.00-Do. red, 4.00 a 4.50-good red, 5.00 a 6.00 Fine red, 7.00 a 8.00-Yellow and red, 7.00 a 10.00Yellow do. 5.50 a 10.00-Fine yellow, 15.00 a 20.00Virginia do. 3 50 a 8.00-Rappahannock, 3.00 a 3.50Kentucky, 3.50 a 5.00 do. for wrapping, 6.00 a 7.00.-Scrubs, 4.50 a 7.50. Mauch Chunck do. do. Resulting in an average proportion of 1 to 24. It is believed, however, that a reciprocal commerce, such as will probably take place on the BaltiObservations on the manner of adapting Rail roads to more and Ohio Rail-road, will admit of a greater a reciprocal commerce, extracted from a letter of disparity between the weight of the carriage and Col. Long to Philip E. Thomas, Esq. President of that of its load, and we shall accordingly assume, as the Baltimore and Ohio Rail road Company. more applicable, the proportion of 1 to 3; that is, a Among the considerations that ought to govern carriage weighing one ton may be made sufficiently i the location and construction of a rail road, in-strong to carry a load of three tons. tended for a reciprocal traffic, a graduation adapted As to the 3d element, viz: the friction of carto the relative amount of transportation in each di- riages upon a level road, various estimates founded rection is of primary importance. Where these upon experiments under a variety of circumstances, FLOUR-white wheat family, $5.75 a 6 00-superfine amounts are precisely equal, the road should be have been made. Mr. Tredgold estimates the fric perfectly level; but where they are different, a cor- tion upon edge-rails, at 1-130 of the load; while Mr. Howard-st. 5.00 a 5.124 a 6.00-city mills, 4.50 a 4.75— responding inclination should be substituted, if Wood, whose experiments are more satisfactory and Susquehanna, 4.50 a 4.75-CORN MEAL, bbl. 2.75 a 2.874 practicable, instead of a level, in order that the conclusive, states it at 1-200 of the load. Various-GRAIN, white wheat, best 1.00 a 1.06-red do. .90 a.93 -ordinary, .75 a .80--CORN, .45 a .48-RYE, 40 a .50 same power, whether aniinal or mechanical, may be considerations relative to the mode of constructionOATS, .20 a 25-BEANS, .80 a 1.0-PEAS, .40 a .50competent to the transportation in both directions. proposed for the Baltimore and Ohio Rail-road, have CLOVER seed, 4.50 a 5.00-TIMOTHY 3.00-BARLEY, .55 The data requisite to determine this inclination induced a preference for an intermediate quantum a .58-FLAXSEED, 75 a 80-COTTON, Virginia, Sa of friction, and we have accordingly substituted.101-Louisiana, .11 a .13-Alabama, 10 a 11-Mis1st. The amounts of outward and return transpor-1-150 of the load, as the probable amount of fric-souri, 10 a .101-N. Carolina, .84 a .94. tation respectively: tion on this road. are, 2d. The weight of the carriages compared with the greater amount of transportation. Sd. The friction of the carriages upon a level road, or the stress or draft necessary to overcome the friction, as indicated by a portion of the weight or load to be propelled. Hence a force or traction equal to 1 pound is sup CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER. posed to be sufficient to drag a load of 150 pounds, Report of the Dorchester County Agricultural Soor a traction of 14.93 pounds is sufficient to drag a ciety's Cattle Show and Fair, held 29th and 30th ult.On the Study of the Animal Kingdom with reference to ton, the weight of the vehicle being included. Agreeable to the foregoing premises, that is, the Agriculture, Of the Economical uses of Animals, Of the Modes of Killing Animals-The Manufacture of Cotton amount of transportation castward being four times in the Southern States, No. 7-On the Uses and Value With respect to the first of these elements it has as great as that westward, the weight of the cariage of the Roller-Guinea Grass, Grapes, &c.-On the Use been stated, in reference to the contemplated Bal being one-third of that of its load; and the friction of the Spade in Husbandry-Rot in Sheep-Prince's timore and Ohio Rail road, that the amount of upon a level road, equal to a stress or traction of 1 Grapes-White Italian or Persian Mulberry-Opium transportation from Baltimore westward, will be to pound for every 150 pounds of the load, the inclina- from the Indigenous Poppy-Report of the Engineers on that in the opposite direction, in the proportion of 1 tion of the contemplated road best adapted to the the Baltimore and Ohio Rail-road-Female Beauty and to 4, or four times as great in the latter (or east traffic thereon, would be equal to 18.8 feet in a Accomplishments-Pedigrees of Valuable Horses, continued, Bowie's Cincinnatus, Alderman-Remarks on ward) as in the former direction. It does not appear, mile, or 9 minutes of a degree. however, that this estimate has been derived from But in order to a more enlarged view of this sub-the Stomach Pump-To split large Stones-Observations on the Rail road, by Col. S. H. Long. any statistical account of the products, merchandise,ject, we will present, in a tabular form, a variety of &c. adapted to the trade likely to result from the ac-statements illustrating the manner of applying the complishment of this great enterprise, but that it foregoing principles, and the results arising from rests upon the opinion generally entertained by per different proportions in the data before mentioned. Printed every Friday, at Five Dollars per annum, for JOHN S. SKINNER, Editor, by JOHN D. Toy, corner of St. Paul and Market-sts. No. 36.—VOL. 9.] AGRICULTURE. AN ADDRESS AMERICAN FARMER-BALTIMORE, NOVEMBER 23, 1827. Delivered on the 29th of October, 1827, at the third. 281 and the same interests, will necessarily multiply stem, the caudex into the atmosphere; it is a phythose profitable steps; it will hasten our march sical truth advanced upon eminent authority, that through the devious path of research in the ratio of nature has affixed to every class, order, genus, and the performance of this, our relative duty. species of the vegetable world, their respective. Another resource is to be found in books and pe-length of caudex, by as distinct limits, as she has riodical publications connected with agriculture; bounded the extension of the stalk, body and boughs, among these, it is gratifying to repeat the often after their expansion in their proper element; yet named, and well known eminence of the "American with providential care, she has endued them with a Farmer," edited in Baltimore by J. S. Skinner, Esq. recuperative or self-preserving power, to elongate yet the small patronage in Dorchester, of this inva- the caudex, if accident or design shall have buried luable work is calculated to produce a correspon- them too deep in the earth, for its natural structure dent mortification; also (for it is not too broad a to attain to the surface; and to effect this, new efIt is once more my gratifying duty to greet you: scope for the practical farmer) may be named the forts are made, by the multiplied growth of new not on the arena, gorgeous with emblems of vanity American Journal of Science and Arts, conducted and less vigorous caudexes, each from the terminatand of folly, with gilded columns, statues and pa- with pre-eminent abilities by Professor Silliman, of ing joint of the former, issuing forth new stems: rapets, for pompous exhibition or sanguinary con-Yale College; it contains the most modern im- these derive their support, at this stage, from the test; but upon the unadorned theatre of nature; for provements and discoveries in chemistry, botany, oil, mucilage, gluten, farina, and other proximate a friendly, though zealous emulation, for the palm, geology, mineralogy, mechanics, and most of the principles of the seminal grain, as exclusively, and to be awarded to the richest possessor of rural vir- useful arts and sciences associated with agriculture: essentially, as the embryon chick from those of the tue and talent; to offer and receive gratulations on accumulated by American enterprise, from the lite- animal egg; and thus expending upon many, the the arrival of another, a third anniversary of our rary funds of the universe; and by the universe, ex supply of parental nutriment, designed for a few, popular and auspicious institution, and upon the cept at home, exalted; this work to be commanded, and necessarily enfeebling by the multiplication the evidences, which surround us, that no empty, osten-annually, at little more than the price of a common offspring of the parent seed, its energies will be extatious words, or chimerical views, but operative, country newspaper; not surpassed, for the judicious hausted, and its health and vigour impaired. and fruitful deeds characterize its designs. selection or original matter, by the experienced From these considerations may be deduced, the In addition to the improved stocks, and other and well supported journals of Europe, is suffer-errors of deep seeding and thin seeding, and the numerous results of a hardier and more laborious ed to languish for American patronage; patriotic propriety of throwing into the earth as much seed attention, we are presented with multiplied evi- pride abstracted from the intellectual enjoyment, as the powers of the soil may sustain, without hav dences of cultivated taste, and fine execution, dis- which it offers to the rational mind, should impel using recourse to the artificial mode of supplying the played by our ladies in their manufactures: whether to sustain this able demonstration of American cha- deficiency, by the multiplying effects of an unnatuthese efforts be viewed as exemplary to the commu-racter. ral depth; and though extreme fertility of soil, fine nity; as proofs of well-timed economy, and judi- If the sarcastic epithet of "book learning" shall tilth, and propitious seasons, may partially atone cious co operation on the part of their fair authors, have operated to delude the judgment; if the frivo- for the error, yet, cæteris paribus, copious and shalto relieve domestic pressure, or, as demonstrations lous weapon of ridicule shall have penetrated the low seeding, modified by circumstances on which of native inherent virtues; the effect will be the mind with poisonous impressions, to the prejudice the judgment of the farmer must be exercised, will same; the philosophic mind, indeed, the soul which of this channel of knowledge, we must apply the afford the best prospect of a rich and luxuriant veis not dead to every moral impulse, will feel a trans- antidote, by the exercise of that faculty, with which getation; which theory and practice, the results of port of joy, at associations so full of kindness, sym- omniscience has seen fit to distinguish man; thence, my experiments have fully settled to my own conpathy and active excellence. we shall learn to appreciate the labours of others, viction. and to regard with diffidence the self-sufficient com petency of individual attainment. Thus we have secured, for our costs and toils, an ample equivalent: and we have not only a present possession and a flattering promise, in regard to our own interests; but the gratification of an intuitive and paramount sense of parental affection and duty; by transmitting to a grateful posterity, the example, the fruits, and the records of a moral, intellectual and social life. Upon sentiments so obvious and just, I will not Occupy your attention; but will offer a few reflections, which my small experience and studies of agricultural subjects lead me to believe worthy of communication and subsidiary to our designs; it is a contribution, that each member of the society is equaly bound to render, as far as his research or observations of the works of nature may enable him; and I may take this occasion to express a regret that the archives of our institution contain so few instances of regard to this important duty, to the observance of this maxim of moral truth: "Prestat na turæ voce doceri, quam suo ingenio sapere." The error of untimely seeding I have frequently to my disappointment and mortification, reluctantly In no art, in no science, has one individual been witnessed; the too late seeding of my wheat, and so fortunate as to reach this climax of supremacy; the too early planting of my corn and cotton, have we must look to, and respect the observation of considerably curtailed my harvests. others, as well as ourselves; and its graphical cha- A large majority of my cotton of this year, was racter, or its publication, cannot be presumed to implanted on the first of May, and was up by the 15th pair the truth or diminish the importance of the of the month; a small portion was planted the last subject matter. of May, and came up on the 10th of June: frequent cold rains more usual at the former than the latter season, foiled the first, in its germ; from which it has never fully recovered; while the latter planting, under a well-timed season has grown and flourished without a check. In conformity with the principles which I have assumed, I shall offer in the most concise manner possible, a few reflections on some points of agri cultural practice and theory, to assist in the proscription of some gross and fashionable dogmas, founded in false reasoning; or, perhaps, in the ab sence of this faculty, the offspring of accident, fostered by the over-ruling influence of custom, into a formidable existence, detrimental to our local interests, and possibly to those of American agricul ture. Most plants have their favourite seasons; and the probability of accommodating them in their habits and preferences, should control the seed time; the anticipation or delay of this period, will be generally attended with disappointment. Though many may deny the irritability of vegetable life; yet all will consent that some plants will endure a higher and some a lower degree of tem they have a natural or acquired appetency, can be but gradually changed, in consistence with their health; and that sudden vicissitudes of heat and cold, are pernicious to all, but more especially to some, and in their earliest development. Among those most conspicuous for their perniBy investigating the operations of nature, we discious consequences, may be named the error of deep cover our numerous errors; by the discovery and seeding; the error of thin seeding; the error of unperature than others; that, that degree for which record of those errors, we approach the truth; by timely seeding, in regard to season; and the injudithe observation and comparison of results, qualities cious adherence to usual crops, regardless of cli and properties, we are enabled to form a correct mate and of other circumstances, and, in obedience judgment of the respective value and character of to an obstinate and irrational attachment to a cus things and of modes; the human mind possesses tomary rotation, because it is customary; and when no innate, abstract sense of truth or error; but by it has ceased to be profitable; and lastly, the error of the divine faculty of reason, exercised upon obser- too extensive cultivation. vation, it masters all difficulties and accomplishes all reasonable designs; and thus it is, the cultivator of the soil must obtain the knowledge he is in quest of; his detection of one error will advance him one The effect of the former upon the grain is to step to the attainment of truth; as the celebrated multiply the culms, and to substitute or countervail Morveau has justly remarked, "we never profit a paucity of seed, but the energies exerted for this more than from the unexpected results of experi- purpose, are morbid, excessive and debilitating to ments which contradict our analogies, and precon- the embryon plant, and to its subsequent growth. ceived theories;" a frank, mutual and unreserved The first process of vegetation from the seed, is communication of these discoveries by the several members of a society entertaining the same objects No. 36.-VOL. 9. Of those dogmas, that of deep seeding, and that of thin seeding, are intimately connected, and may readily be associated under one view. the disclosure of the radicle descending into the These facts are infallibly true, and whether we gratify our vanity by confining to a higher order of beings the attribute of irritability, or allow it to be extended to vegetable life, the deductions will be the same; 1st, that it is consistent with the health and growth of a plant, to select for the period of seeding that point of time which will afford from experience, the quantity of heat, and the course of season which is conformable to its habits, whether these be native or acquired: 2dly, to fix this period as remotely from the season of winter as the course will allow, that the sensitive fibrils may not come within the reach of excessive and destructive chan Though chance may embolden us to deviate from general rules on this subject, yet success will more generally attend their observation. ges of temperature; from which the young plant, | labour: and one, (called an old field) for nothing in various proportions are called into requisition, for once affected, seldom fully recovers: Sdly, not to except possibly, a few impoverished cattle, fit em- various plants; and their respective demands, when risk a period out of time, though apparently problems of his forlorn and hopeless system. annually diversified, are supplied by the accumulamising, or because such a one may have been at- This is notoriously the general practice of Dortion of a new stock; which, if otherwise perpetually tended with a fortuitous success; but to adopt that, chester; it is one of those morbid addictions, based drawn upon, must of necessity, be exhausted. which is predicated upon the usual climate and ha- upon custom; it is one of those ancestral relics, one As a proof of my conviction of the truth of the bits of the plant. of those sanctified patrimonies, which the habit of principles of physiology and vegetable economy, devotion, seems to have made sacrilege to violate, which I have been endeavoring to support, I shall and it is ruinous as it is general and steadfast. transfer them the next year, practically, and at It is demonstrable, that one acre which is manur large, to an experimental farm of one hundred acres ed and well cultivated, is worth many of our com- of arable land, about eight miles from Cambridge, mon lands.* on the Transquakin river, to which I invite your attention. In the menacing aspect of the times, no apology is due for my design or my invitation; no effort should be omitted or deemed superfluous, which will possibly meliorate the condition of agriUpon these lands I shall introduce, as far as the friends of our profession, at home and abroad, or other opportunities to procure them may enabe me, (which I now unreservedly and publicly solicit,) every species of crop, apparently consistent with our climate, and our market, with a view to select such as will best answer the purpose of diversifying rotation to advantage; and I shall there have full scope of experiment, for those principles which profess to entertain; and further against those errors which I have theoretically and practically denounced. Unfortunately, the Hessian fly has thrown our wheat crop too much upon the winter, a circumstance greatly conducive to the disasters, for many The expense of cultivating one poor acre, yield years incident to this, our once most valuable staple; ing five bushels of grain, a fair average of our one, whose loss we must deplore; one, I emphati-wheat crop, is as great as that of a rich acre, yield cally predict, gentlemen, you will not shortly re ing twenty bushels; but the one yielding four times gain; and from which you must consent to release, as much as the other; the expenses of cultivat-culture. what I will venture to pronounce your natural in ing the one, will be in reference to the crops, only veteracy of attachment. one-fourth of those of the other; and this ratio of three-fourths of the expenses saved, on a farm of usual size, will make a considerable improvement in the profits of the cultivation The fly, the long culture, the change of climate, want of market, or deficiency of demand, most im periously call upon you, to rid yourselves of this incubus; to divest yourselves of this bewitching infatuation, this morbid addiction to ancestral customs and practices, which though consistent with the best and kindest moral feeling, is pregnant, in this instance, with physical evil. This gentleman is not visionary; it is easy too, of adoption and of practice. Consent to devote your attention to one-fourth of your present undertak ings; concentrate upon this, the energies you had dispersed on the whole, and it is adopted. And what do you gain by it? a To form a judgment of those families or species of plants, which may supply our accommodation, though experience must finally decide, yet much is to be learned from reflection upon the influence of climate, of soil and of culture. Numerous crops better adapted to our present climate and our present market, are within our Grant the cost of cultivation of an acre, to be two command; it is a duty we owe to our country, our dollars for rent or interest of purchase money, and neighbours, our families, and ourselves, by inquiry, two dollars for other expenses--making four, and by experiment, by every mode of research, to ex-grant you have made five bushels of grain, and sold plore the vegetable kingdom for such as will best it for one dollar per bushel, making five dollars; desuit our purposes; to discover if possible, and pro- duct your expenses before stated, at four, and you mulgate the results, and receive, if no more, the have only one dollar, for profit. But apply your im Of the first, where a parallel may be drawn beself-approving consciousness of having performed provements to one acre which you intended for four, tween the country of the exotic and that of its inour obligations, as well to God as to man; of having and you will thenceforth have the product from tended adoption, in reference to the native or acapplied those talents, with which he may have seen one acre which you would have had from four; that quired habits of the plant analogy will justify the fit to endow us, for the promotion of his great de- is, twenty bushels at the price allowed for the former, experiment. Experience too, will sanction, under sign, the happiness of his favourite creation. will be twenty dollars; from which deduct expen- a great diversity of habits, the attempt at acclimaThe deplorable misfortunes of the agriculture of ses of one acre, as before stated, at four dollars, tion; and frequently may the change of its nativity, this county; indeed, of this state; and perhaps a and your profit will be sixteen dollars on the acre, ever ameliorate and highly improve the character wider extent, for this and a few years past, call instead of one; or an advance upon the intrinsic of a plant. upon us; not for despondency; it is unmanly; it is value of the capital, equal to fifteen hundred per It is affirmed as a general truth, that in southern, unrighteous; but, for redoubled exertions, well di- cent; with less trouble too-because you have less countries, vegetables enjoy a higher degree of enrected efforts to regain what we have lost, to sup-space to cultivate; and with less uncertainty, be-ergetic properties, than in northern climates; if so, ply those wants, those enjoyments, those luxuries, cause the richer the soil, the more rapid and vigor- from the boundless fields of higher latitude, we may the fruits of agricultural labour, which Providence ous the growth; and the more rapid and vigorous derive unlimited advantages; extremes of heat and has placed in our power; by the proper exercise of the growth, the less subject to casualties. cold, we know to be unfavourable to vegetable those faculties with which she has kindly invested us. In truth, the question I am discussing, is so plain, growth. Inhabiting a mediate space and a mediate Among the causes which have led to agricultural that I touch it with embarrassment; yet I press it temperature, far removed from the and deserts of distress, perhaps none have had a more steady ope- for the necessity, the prosperity of that class of so- Nubia, or the frigid plains of Siberia, we have much ration, a more effectual agency, than that, which Iciety to which I belong, from which I derive my to anticipate, in respect to climate. proposed for discussion, as the last, and possibly the well-being, and on which I rely for the comforts of worst of enumerated dogmas; one which is repug-life, demand it of me, and will plead my apology. pant to the dictates of experience and of theory; and could the expression avail, I would venture to add, of common sense: it is an overweening sentiment, in favour of "extensive cultivation," without regard to competent abilities. In point of soil, we possess the most multiplied advantages; from the warm and dry silicious, to the rich and humid alluvial; every texture, every useful combination are notoriously within our command. Many errors of cultivation, beside those enumerated, might be adduced as concurrent causes of the present embarrassment; they are considerably And lastly,--By the influence of culture, many of within our control, and should be corrected. our indigenous plants, now useless, and even poisonhave, on a former occasion, expressed my convic-ous, may be metamorphosed into wholesome and tion of the existence of some of them, and the nutritive food; we have the authority of Buffon, for grounds on which it rested; and shall now only rethe fact, that wheat is a factitious production, from peat, that, in the catalogue, that of an extreme pau- a worthless weed, by the force of culture: and Cocity of crops, in point of character and kind, has had lumella states, that the peach possessed deleterious a considerable agency. qualities, when first introduced, from Persia, into the Roman empire; it is well known, that the potato, a native of South America, (there a wild and common weed,) "bearing small tubers, too bitter for use," has been reclaimed by cultivation; and ranks among our choicest vegetables. This may be pronounced a general and radical error of Maryland agriculture; it is, in this county, one of the most prominent, and one of the most dis astrous, practically, in our agricultural community; and it would seem that we had been riveted to it, by some demon-chain, for past offences, for which, The advantages derivable to the soil, from a di we must atone; it is one, whose detection needs versification of crops, were known to ages past: the neither the abstruse research of the metaphysical classic farmer of Mantua, more than eighteen ceninquirer, nor the profundity of the mathematician; turies ago, has recorded those sentiments, "Sic quoit is one, within the reach of the simplest school que mutatis requiescunt fetibus arva;" the practice boy, who knows the quotient of two in four, and yet was adopted in the highly cultivated region of Italy. it is one, which most of us adopt and practice, be-It has been recognized, at all times and in all places, cause it is adopted and practiced. Three hundred acres of arable land constitute a nsual farm in Dorchester, for a beginner, without experience, and without the means of stocking and cultivating one half, probably one fourth of the quantity: these are laid off into three fields, one, for wheat, which he knows he cannot grow,one for corn, which he knows he cannot sell to repay him for his where agriculture has flourished, until, in the mo- By a mutation of crops, your fields are, quasi-at *See report on my corn crop at the last Maryland Cattle Show-page 257. In the language of an acute enquirer into the arcana of nature, if there be any who feel sceptical upon the subject of such metamorphoses, let him visit the fairy bowers of horticulture, and he will there perceive, that her magic wand has not only converted the tough coriaceous covering of the almond, into the soft and melting flesh of the peach; but, by her spells, the sour sloe, has ripened into the delicious plum; and the austere crab, of our woods, into the golden pippin; the acrid and poisonous |