structions, and elevate the mind. Such, on the sub-ed, and resolutely overcome, than palliated or inject before us, are the stories in Evenings at Home, dulged.

on "True Heroism," and "Perseverance against It is desirable for parents, and those entrusted Fortune," many parts of Sandford and Merton, with the care of children, to instruct themselves in and of "True Stories for Children"-selections from the best method of proceeding, under the sudden the lives of eminent men; as of Howard, &c. From diseases, and dangers to which children are the most profane history; as the accounts of Regulus, of the liable, as convulsions, choking, wounds, profuse citizens of Calais, &c. From the characters of bleeding, accidents from fire, water,* &c. Scripture; as Abraham's and Eli's submission, Stephen's martyrdom, and above all, from the life and death of him, who set us a perfect "example that we should follow his steps," whose history is indeed too sacred to be rendered common, but must be im parted to children as they are able to relish and to

17th and 26th.

Highest,
Lowest

.

12th, 81-15th, 76°. 1st, 50-16th, 57° 17th, 59-25th, 56°. At 1 hour past sun-set-Mean temperature, 61 5'. Highest,. 12th, 77°. Lowest, 1st, 46°.

DROVERS OF FAT STOCK are informed that the

best establishment for their accommodation, in this
city, is now kept at the sign of the Three Kegs,
head of Pratt street, by Robert Parker & Son. The

Editor of the American Farmer takes an interest In the afternoon-Mean temperature, 67.30. On 14 days the mercury rose to and above 70 and he can confidently recommend this house, as in what so much concerns many of his subscribers; one where the drover can be accommodated on moderate terms, with good fare, and honest treatment; and where he may get the best information, as well as the convenience of numerous and large lots for his beasts. The stables, too, are extensive, and well calculated to accommodate travellers generally, and those who bring droves of horses for sale in this city; and the proprietors are much in the way of having the best information on that subject. This notice is given voluntarily, and with personal knowledge of what is said.

Mean heat of the month, 60.2°.

WINDS-From N. to E. including the latter, 7 ob

servations-E. to S. 13-S. to W. 19-W. to

N.18; two observations daily, at 6 A. M. and P. M.-3 wanting. WEATHER-Rain on 11 days. Thunder twice on the 21st and 24th. Hail storm on the 29th, a few miles S. E.

THE PROSPECT FOR WHEAT.-The harvest season last year was unusually wet, and the seed wheat consequently unsound. From not adverting 8th, American poplar leaves, (Liriod tulipi-to that circumstance, or not taking pains to get fera.) 11th, White oak leaves-Apple tree blos

Progress of vegetation-7th. Peach tree blossoms.

soms.

13th, Lilac blossoms. 14th, Sassafras blossoms.

18th, May apple blossoms, (Podophyl. pelta: tatum)-green peas for the first time in market, brought from Norfolk.

The dates of the blossoming of a tree or plant noted above, answer to the commencing stage, or when the vegetable first begins to be covered with expanded flowers.

By the leafing of a tree, is to be understood its first appearance of greenness, when viewed at a short distance.

For all observations a full grown tree or plant is chosen, situated on level ground, in the neighbourhood of the city.

RICHARD SEXTON.

LORD BYRON'S WORKS.

good seed, much regret has been expressed, espe-
cially on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, that the
wheat was very thin. What did appear, however,
looked uncommonly well through the month of
March, which was very favourable; but, latterly,
the growth has been checked by very long cont
tinued cold, drying north-westers; and it is said
the fly is in some places committing great ravages
On some good lands on Elk Ridge, where twenty
bushels to the acre was expected, the destruction
of the fly has been so great, as that the crop will,
perhaps, not much exceed five.

FOR SALE-A young JACK, three years old;
out of a Jennet imported from Rio Janeiro-former
ly the property of our minister there, Mr. Sumpter.
He will be sold low, if applied for immediately. For
particulars, inquire of the Editor of the American
Farmer, who has authority to sell.

LATE FROM EUROPE.

Arrivals at New York bring news from Paris to Mr. Murray paid, at various times, for the copy-the 15th and London to the 10th April. right of Lord Byron's Poems, sums amounting to upwards of 15,000 viz:

1 600

1575

2100

525

525

525

700

525 525 315 315

Beppo,

525

Don Juan, I. II.

1525

III. IV. V.

1525

A letter from Madrid, March 31, says "We are assured that an insurrectional movement has taken place in Portugal at Moro Novo, fifteen leagues from Lisbon, which extends already as far as the mountains of Portalegre. It is certain that the greatest effervescence prevails in that country, from Tras-os Montes to the Algarves.

BALTIMORE PRICES CURRENT.

Reported for the American Farmer, by Lewis Sutton & Co

TOBACCO.-Inspections at the three State warehouses

last week, ending with Saturday, 453 hhds. Saies the

past week have been small and at nearly the usual
prices, except that of the fine Ohio yellow; it is said it
has been found not to suit the European market so well
as was expected; consequently some we have seen
within a few days sold for 74 a $8, which some time
past would have brought $20-and the lowest common
Maryland crop and second seem also a little more dull;
considerable has been sold at from $3 a 3.50 a 4 a 4.50
to 5 a 5.50; but good middlings are nearly as usual.
We think that our plan by auction will be usefully adopt-
ed by order of planters, and by that means introduce
and buyer. The average rates may be quoted-
more regularity, and greater profit, both to the seller

a

3.50-Do. red, 4.00 a 4.50-Good red, 5.00 a 6.00Second as in quality $3.00 a 8.00-Common crop, 3.00 Fine red, 7.00 a 8.00-Yellow and red, 7.00 a 10.00Yellow, 6.00 a 7.50 a 8.00 to 10.00 a 15.00-Fine Virginia fat, 6.00 a 8.00-Rappahannock, 3.50

FLOUR-Baltimore best family, 6.00 a 6.25-Susque hanna, $5.00 a 5.124-Howard-street, 5.12 a 5.25WHEAT, best white, 1.00 a 1.04-good red, 1.00-inferior, .85 a 90-CORN. .48 a .49 a 50-RYE,.70 a.71OATS, .37 .43-FLAXSEED, .90 a .95--BARLEY, 1.00seed, 3.00-HERDS' GRASS, 3.50 a 450-MILLET, 1.00 CLOVER seed, red, (unseasonable) 4.00 a 4.50-TIMOTHY a .50-IRISH POTATOES, (for seed,) .374 a .50-CORN MEAL, per cwt. 1.25--WHISKEY, in bbls. .33 a .331do. in hhds. .32-PLASTER, per bbl. 1.12 a 1.25-do. per ton, 3.75-BACON, Baltimore hams, 9.00 a 10.00-do. hog round, 6.00 a 7.00-do. country, .5-BUTTER, best fresh, 25-do. in kegs, No. 1 to 3, per cwt. 8.00 a 15.00 -LARD, do 8.50 a 10.00-COTTON, Virginia, selling, 9.00 11.00 a 14.00-FISH, Herrings, per bbl. 2.50-Mackerel, a 10.00 a 11.00-Upland, fair, 10.00 a 10.50-Louisiana, No. 1, 6.25-do. No. 2 5.25-do No. 3. 4.25-FEATHERS per lb. .28 a .29-LIVE STOCK-Beef, good, on the hoof, 5.00 a 5.50-Hogs, good pork, 4.00 a 4.50.

CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER. Essay on Rotation of Crops, by W. C. Nicholas, conThe French papers of the 14th, assert that the cluded-On Grasses and other Plants, No. 7, continued Austrian and Prussian Ministers at Constantinople,-Notices of Pernicious Plants, No. 9, continued-Adhave acceded to certain arrangements agreed upon vantages of Agricultural Penance--To raise Turnips some time since in St. Petersburg, for settling the among Corn-Agricultural Pun-On rearing Pear Trees, by Mark Hardin-Mr. Hardin's Pear Trees-To destroy differences between Turkey and Greece, and that the Aphis Lanigera, or American Blight on Fruit Trees all the European powers will now be united in de manding the pacification of the latter country,

It is again repeated that France is about to with-
draw all her troops from Spain.

It is said the contract creditors of the Duke of
York will not realize a shilling in the pound.

(From the New York Evening Post.)
IMPORTANT. By the arrival last evening of the
ship Dalhousie Castle, we have received from our
correspondent, the Liverpool Albion of the 16th of
April, announcing almost a complete change in the

Wine from the wild Grape-Inquiry respecting the Bird Cherry-American Wine-Historical sketch of the contemplated Rail-road from Baltimore to the Ohio, continued-Fearfulness and Fortitude, concluded-Portry, The Father's Choice-New-Market Races-Sale of Stud Horses-Meteorology of April at Baltimore-Sale of Lord Byron's Works-Editorial.

Printed every Friday, at Five Dollars per annum, for JOHN S. SKINNER, Editor, by JOHN D. Toy, corner of St. Paul and Market-sts., where every description of Book and Job Printing is handsomely executed.

No. 9.-VOL. 9.

AGRICULTURE.

AMERICAN FARMER-BALTIMORE, MAY 18, 1827.

65

finely divided matter: 400 parts of it, which had cake, and present only a small surface to the air;
been heated red, afforded 380 parts of coarse sili-and the vegetation on them is generally burnt up
ceous sand; 9 parts of fine siliceous sand, and 11 almost as readily as on sands. The soils that are
parts of impalpable matter, which was a mixture most efficient in supplying the plant with water by
of ferruginous clay with carbonate of lime. Vege- atmospheric absorption, are those in which there is
table or animal matters, when finely divided, not a due mixture of sand, finely divided clay, and car-
only give coherence, but likewise softness and pen bonate of lime, with some animal or vegetable mat-
etrability; but neither they nor any other part of ter, and which are so loose and light as to be freely
the soil must be in too great proportion; and a soil permeable to the atmosphere. With respect to this
is unproductive if it consist entirely of impalpable quality, carbonate of lime, and anima! and vegeta-
matters. Pure alumina or silica, pure carbonate of ble matter, are of great use in soils; they give ab-
lime, or carbonate of magnesia, are incapable of sorbent power to the soil without giving it likewise
supporting healthy vegetation; and no soil is fertile tenacity; sand, which also destroys tenacity, on the
that contains as much as 19 parts out of 20 of any contrary, gives little absorbent power. The absorb-
of these constituents.
ent powers of soils, with respect to atmospheric
moisture, is always greatest in the most fertile soils;
so that it affords one method of judging of the pro-
ductiveness of land.

SCIENCE OF AGRICULTURE. USES OF THE SOIL TO VEGETABLES. Soils afford to plants a fixed abode and medium of nourishment Earths, exclusively of organized matter and water, are allowed by most physiologists to be of no other use to plants than that of supporting them, or furnishing a medium by which they may fix themselves to the globe. But earths and organic matter, that is, soils, afford at once support and food. The pure earths merely act as mechanical and indirect chemical agents in the soil The earths consist of metals united to oxygen, and these metals have A certain degree of friability or looseness of texture not been decomposed; there is, consequently, no is also required in soils, in order that the operations reason to suppose that the earths are convertible of culture may be easily conducted; that moisture into the elements of organized compounds, that is, may have free access to the fibres of the roots, that into carbon, hydrogen, and azote. Plants have heat may be readily conveyed to them, and that been made to grow in given quantities of earth. evaporation may proceed without obstruction. They consume very small portions only; and what These are commonly attained by the presence of is lost may be accounted for by the quantities found sand. As alumina possesses all the properties of in their ashes; that is to say, it has not been con adhesiveness in an eminent degree, and silex those verted into new products. The carbonic acid, of friability, it is obvious that a mixture of those united to lime or magnesia, if any stronger acid two earths, in suitable proportions, would furnish happens to be formed in the soil during the fer-every thing wanted to form the most perfect soil as mentation of vegetable matter, which will disen- to water and the operations of culture. In a soil gage it from the earths, may be decomposed; but so compounded, water will be presented to the the earths themselves cannot be supposed converti- roots by capillary attraction. It will be suspended ble into other substances, by any process taking in it, in the same manner as it is suspended in a place in the soil. In all cases the ashes of plants sponge, not in a state of aggregation, but minute contain some of the earths of the soil in which division, so that every part may be said to be moist, they grow; but these earths, as has been ascertain- but not wet.-Grisenthwaite. ed from the ashes afforded by different plants, never equal more than one fiftieth of the weight of the plant consumed. If they be considered as necessa ry to the vegetable, it is as giving hardness and firmness to its organization. Thus, it has been mentioned that wheat, oats, and many of the hollow-stalked grasses, have an epidermis principally of siliceous earth; the use of which seems to be to strengthen them, and defend them from the attacks of insects and parasitical plants.

As examples of the absorbent power of soils-1000 parts of a celebrated soil from Ormiston in East Lothian, which contained more than half its weight of finely divided matter, of which 11 parts were carbonate of lime, and 9 parts vegetable matter, when dried at 212°, gained in an hour by exposure to air saturated with moisture, at a temperature of 62°, eighteen grains. 1000 parts of a very fertile soil from the banks of the river Parret, in Somersetshire, under the same circumstances, gained sixteen grains. 1000 parts of a soil from Mersea, in Essex, gained thirteen grains. 1000 grains of a fine sand, from Essex, gained eleven grains. 1000 of a coarse sand, gained only eight grains. 1000 of a soil of Bagshot heath, gained only three grains.

The absorbent powers of soils ought to vary with The water chemically combined amongst the ele- the climate in which they are situated. The absorpments of soils, unless in the case of the decomposition of moisture ought to be much greater in warm tion of animal or vegetable substances, cannot be or dry countries, than in cold and moist ones; and absorbed by the roots of plants; but that adhering the quantity of clay, or vegetable, or animal matter to the parts of the soil is in constant use in vegeta- in soils greater. Soils also on declivities, ought to tion. Indeed, there are few mixtures of the earths be more absorbent than in plains or in the bottom found in soils that contain any chemically com- of valleys. Their productiveness, likewise, is inbined water; water is expelled from the earth by fluenced by the nature of the subsoil, or the stratum most substances that combine with them. Thus, on which they rest. When soils are immediately if a combination of lime and water be exposed to situated upon a bed of rock or stone, they are much The true nourishment of plants is water, and de- carbonic acid, the carbonic acid takes the place of sooner rendered dry by evaporation than where the composing organic matter; both these exist only in water; and compounds of alumina and silica, or subsoil is of clay or marl; and a prime cause of the soils, not in pure earths; but the earthy parts of the other compounds of the earths, do not chemically great fertility of the land in the moist climate of soils are useful in retaining water, so as to supply it unite with water; and soils, as it has been stated, Ireland, is the proximity of the rocky strata to the in the proper proportions to the roots of the vege- are formed either by earthy carbonates, or com- soil. A clayey subsoil will sometimes be of matetables, and they are likewise efficacious in produc-pounds of pure earths and metallic oxides. When rial advantage to a sandy soil; and in this case it ing the proper distribution of the animal or vegeta saline substances exist in soils, they may be united will retain moisture in such a manner as to be cable matter. When equally mixed with it, they pre- with water both chemically and mechanically; but vent it from decomposing too rapidly; and by their they are always in too small a quantity to influence means the soluble parts are supplied in proper pro- materially the relations of the soil to water. portions.

The power of the soil to absorb water by cohesive The soil is necessary to the existence of plants, both attraction, depends in great measure upon the state as affording them nourishment, and enabling them of division of its parts; the more divided they are, to fix themselves in such a manner as to obey those the greater is their absorbent power. The different laws by which their radicles are kept below the sur constituent parts of soils likewise appear to act, face, and their leaves exposed to the free atmos-even by cohesive attraction, with different degrees phere. As the system of roots, branches and leaves of energy Thus vegetable substances seem to be are very different in different vegetables, so they flourish most in different soils. The plants that have bulbous roots require a looser and a lighter soil than such as have fibrous roots; and the plants possessing only short fibrous radicles demand a firmer soil than such as have tap-roots or extensive lateral roots.

The constituent parts of the soil which give tenacity and coherence, are the finely divided matters; and they possess the power of giving those qualities in the highest degree, when they contain much alumi na. A small quantity of finely divided matter is sufficient to fit a soil for the production of turnips and barley; and a tolerable crop of turnips has been produced on a soil containing 11 parts out of 12 sand. A much greater proportion of sand, how ever, always produces absolute sterility. The soil of Bagshot heath, which is entirely devoid of vege table covering, contains less than one-twentieth of No. 9.-VOL. 9.

more absorbent than animal substances; animal
substances more so than compounds of alumina and
silica; and compounds of alumina and silica more
absorbent than carbonates of lime and magnesia:
these differences may, however, possibly depend
upon the differences in their state of division, and
upon the surface exposed.

pable of supplying that lost by the earth above, in consequence of evaporation or the consumption of it by plants. A sandy or gravelly subsoil often corrects the imperfections of too great a degree of absorbent power in the true soil. In calcareous countries, where the surface is a species of marl, the soil is often found only a few inches above the limestone; and its fertility is not impaired by the proximity of the rock; though in a less absorbent soil, this situation would occasion barrenness; and the sand-stone and lime-stone hills in Derbyshire and North Wales may be easily distinguished at a distance, in summer, by the different tints of the vegetation. The grass on the sand-stone hills usually appears brown and burnt up; that on the lime-stone hills flourishing and green.

In a moist climate, where the quantity of rain The power of soil to absorb water from air is much that falls annually, equals from 40 to 60 inches, as connected with fertility When this power is great, in Lancashire, Cornwall, and some parts of Ireland, the plant is supplied with moisture in dry seasons; a siliceous sandy soil is much more productive than and the effect of evaporation in the day is counteract-in dry districts; and in such situations wheat and ed by the absorption of aqueous vapour from the at- beans will require a less coherent and absorbent soil mosphere, by the interior parts of the soil during the than in drier situations; and plants having bulbous day, and by both the exterior and interior during roots will flourish in a soil containing as much as the night. The stiff clays, approaching to pipe 14 parts out of 15 of sand Even the exhausting clays in their nature, which take up the greatest powers of crops will be influenced by like circumquantity of water when it is poured upon them in a stances. In cases where plants cannot absorb suffifluid form, are not the soils which absorb most cient moisture, they must take up more manure, moisture from the atmosphere in dry weather. They And in Ireland, Cornwall, and the western High

lands of Scotland, corn will exhaust less than in dry inland situations. Oats, particularly in dry climates, are impoverishing in a much higher degree than in moist ones.

ture; but in a few years they degenerate, and require a fresh soil. Lands, in a course of years, often cease to afford good cultivated grasses; they become (as it is popularly said,) tired of them; and one of the probable reasons for this is, the exhaustion of the gypsum contained in the soil."

is, Sir H. Davy observes, another agency between crops: these plants, likewise, by their large systems soils and organizable matters, which may be re- of leaves, absorb a considerable quantity of nongarded as chemical in its nature. The earths, and rishment from the atmosphere; and when ploughed even the earthy carbonates, have a certain degree in at the end of two years, the decay of their roots Many soils are popularly distinguished as cold or of chemical attraction for many of the principles of and leaves affords manure for the wheat crop; and hot; and the distinction, though at first view it may vegetable and animal substances. This is easily at this period of the course, the woody fibre of the appear to be founded on prejudice, is really just. exemplified in the instance of alumina and oil; if an farm-yard manure, which contains the phosphate Some soils are much more heated by the rays of the acid solution of alumina be mixed with a solution of lime and the other difficultly soluble parts, is sun, all other circumstances being equal, than of soap, which consists of oily matter and potassa, broken down: and as soon as the most exhausting others; and soils brought to the same degree of the oil and the alumina will unite and form a white crop is taken, recent manure is again applied. Peas heat, cool in different times; i. e. some cool much powder, which will sink to the bottom of the fluid. and beans, in all instances, seem well adapted to faster than others. This property has been very The extract from decomposing vegetable matter, prepare ground for wheat; and in some rich lands little attended to in a philosophical point of view; when boiled with pipe clay or chalk, forms a com- they are raised in alternate crops for years togeyet it is of the highest importance in culture. In bination by which the vegetable matter is rendered ther. Peas and beans contain a small quantity of general, soils that consist principally of a stiff white more difficult of decomposition and of solution. a matter analogous to albumen; but it seems that clay are difficultly heated; and being usually very Pure silicia and siliceous sands have little action of the azote, which forms a constituent part of this moist, they retain their heat only for a short time. this kind; and the soils which contain the most alu-matter, is derived from the atmosphere. The dry Chalks are similar in one respect, that they are dif- mina and carbonate of lime, are those which act bean leaf, when burnt, yields a smell approaching ficultly heated; but being drier, they retain their with the greatest chemical energy in preserving to that of decomposing animal matter; and in its heat longer, less being consumed in causing the manures. Such soils merit the appellation, which decay in the soil, may furnish principles capable of evaporation of their moisture. A black soil, con- is commonly given to them, of rich soils; for the becoming a part of the gluten in wheat. Though taining much soft vegetable matter, is most heated vegetable nourishment is long preserved in them, the general composition of plants is very analogous, by the sun and air; and the coloured soils, and the unless taken up by the organs of plants. Siliceous yet the specific difference in the products of many soils containing much carbonaceous matter, or fer-sands, on the contrary, deserve the term hungry, of them, prove that they must derive different maruginous matter, exposed under equal circumstances which is commonly applied to them; for the vege- terials from the soil; and though the vegetables to the sun, acquire a much higher temperature than table and animal matters they contain, not being having the smallest system of leaves will proporpale-coloured soils. attracted by the earthy constituent parts of the soil, tionably most exhaust the soil of common nutritive When soils are perfectly dry, those that most readily are more liable to be decomposed by the action of matter, yet particular vegetables, when their probecome heated by the solar rays, likewise cool most rapid- the atmosphere, or carried off from them by water. duce is carried off, will require peculiar principles ly; but the darkest-coloured dry soil (that which con- In most of the black and brown rich vegetable to be supplied to the land in which they grow. tains abundance of animal or vegetable matter; sub-moulds, the earths seem to be in combination with a Strawberries and potatoes, at first, produce luxuristances which most facilitate the diminution of tem- peculiar extractive matter, afforded during the de-antly in virgin mould, recently turned up from pasperature,) when heated to the same degree, provided it be within the common limits of the effect of solar heat, will cool more slowly than a wet, pale soil, entirely composed of earthy matter. Sir H. Davy "found that a rich black mould, which con tained nearly one-fourth of vegetable matter, had its temperature increased in an hour from 56 to 88° by exposure to sunshine; whilst a chalk soil was heated only to 69% under the same circumstances. But the mould removed into the shade, where the temperature was 62° lost, in half an hour 15°; whereas, the chalk, under the same circumstances, had lost only 4°. We may also refer to the influence of Growing different crops in succession is a practice black earth in melting snow, as practised empirical- which every cultivator knows to be highly advantaly on the Alps, and tried philosophically by Frank-geous, though its beneficial influence has not yet lin and Saussure. The latter placed on the top of been fully accounted for by chemists. The most the high Alpine mountain Cramont, a box lined general theory is, that though all plants will live on with black cloth with the side next the sun, closed the same food, as the chemical constituents of their by three panes of glass at a little distance apart the roots and leaves are nearly the same, yet that many one from the other, and found the thermometer rise species require particular substances to bring their thirty degrees in two hours from the concentration seeds or fruits to perfection, as the analysis of these of the sun's rays. (Agriculture applique, &c. tom. i. seeds or fruits often afford substances different from 82.) A brown fertile soil, and a cold barren clay, those which constitute the body of the plant. A were each artificially heated to 889, having been sort of rotation may be said to take place in nature, previously dried; they were then exposed in a tem- for perennial herbaceous plants have a tendency to perature of 570; in half an hour the dark soil was extend their circumference, and rot and decay at found to have lost 9° of heat; the clay lost only 6. their centre, where others of a different kind spring An equal portion of the clay containing moisture, up and succeed them. This is more especially the after being heated to 88 degrees, was exposed in a temperature of 55 degrees; in less than a quarter of an hour it was found to have gained the tempe- The rationale of rotation, is thus given by Sir H. rature of the room. The soils in all these experi- Davy. "It is a great advantage in the convertible ments were placed in small tin-plate trays, two system of cultivation, that the whole of the manure inches square and half an inch in depth; and the is employed; and that those parts of it which are temperature ascertained by a delicate thermometer. not fitted for one crop, remain as nourishment for Thus the temperature of the surface, when bare another. Thus, if the turnip is the first in the orand exposed to the rays of the sun, affords at least der of succession, this crop, manured with recent ene indication of the degrees of its fertility; and dung, immediately finds sufficient soluble matter the thermometer may be sometimes a useful in- for its nourishment; and the heat produced in ferstrument to the purchaser or improver of lands." mentation, assists the germination of the seed and The moisture in the soil and subsoil materially af- the growth of the plant. If, after turnips, barley fects its temperature, and prevents, as in the case of with grass seeds is sown, then the land, having been constantly saturated aquatic soils, their ever attain- little exhausted by the turnip crop, affords the soluing to any great degree either of heat or cold. The ble parts of the decomposing manure to the grain. same observation will apply to moist peaty soils, or The grasses, rye-grass, and clover remain, which peat bogs. derive a small part only of their organized matter Chemical agency of soils. Besides these uses of from the soil, and probably consume the gypsum soils, which may be considered mechanical, there in the manure, which would be useless to other

composition of vegetables; this is slowly taken up or
attracted from the earths by water, and appears to
constitute a prime cause of the fertility of the soil.
Thus all soils are useful to plants, as affording
them a fixed abode and a range for their roots to
spread in search of food; but some are much more
so than others, as better adapted by their consti- The powers of vegetables to exhaust the soil of the
tuent parts, climate, inclination of surface and sub principles necessary to their growth, is remarka-
soil attracting and supplying food. [Encyc. of Ag.bly exemplified in certain funguses. Mushrooms

ROTATION OF CROPS.

case with travelling roots, as in mint, strawberry,
creeping crowfoot, &c.

are said never to rise in two successive seasons on the same spot; and the production of the phenomena caled fairy rings, has been ascribed by Dr. Wollaston to the power of the peculiar fungus which forms it, to exhaust the soil of the nutriment necessary for the growth of the species.

The conse

quence is, that the ring annually extends; for no seeds will grow where their parents grew before them, and the interior part of the circle has been exhausted by preceding crops; but where the fungus has died, nourishment supplied for grass, which usually rises within the circle, coarse, and of a dark green colour.

A rotation is unnecessary, according to Grisenthwaite; and, in a strict chemical sense, what he asserts cannot be denied. His theory is a refimement on the common idea of the uses of a rotation stated above; but by giving some details of the constituent parts of certain grains and certain manures, he has presented it in a more clear and striking point of view than has hitherto been done. To apply the theory in every case, the constituent parts of all manures and of all plants (1st, their roots and leaves, and 2dly, their seeds, fruits, or grains,) must be known. In respect to manures this is the case, and it may be said to be in a great degree the case as to the most useful agricultural plants; but, unfortunately for our purpose, the same cannot be said of garden productions in general, though no branch of culture can show the advantage of a rotation of crops more than horticulture, in the practice of which it is found that grounds become tired of particular crops, notwithstanding that manures are applied at pleasure. If the precise effects of a rotation were ascertained, and the ingredients peculiarly necessary to every species pointed out, nothing could be more interesting than the results of experimental trials; and whoever shall point out a simple and economical mode by which the potato

may be grown successively in the same soil, and produce annually, neglecting the effects of climate, as dry and well flavoured tubers, or nearly so, as they generally produce the first and second years on a new soil, will confer a real benefit on society. That wheat may be grown many years on the same soil, by the use of animal manures, or such as contain gluten, Grisenthwaite's theory would justify us in believing chemically; and it ought to be fairly tried by such cultivators as Coke and Curwen. Till this is done in the face of the whole agricultural world, and the produce of every crop, and all the particulars of its culture accurately reported on annually, the possibility of the thing may be assented to from the premises, but will not be acted on; and, in fact, even the best agricultural chemists do not consider that we are sufficiently advanced in that branch of the science to draw any conclusion, à priori, very much at variance with general opinion and experience. It should always be kept in mind, that it is one thing to produce a crop, and a different thing to grow crops with profit.

The principles of rotations of crops, are thus laid down by Yvart and Ch. Pictet, (Cours complet d'Agriculture, articles Assolement, and Succession de Culture; and Traité des Assolemens. Paris, 8vo.) The first principle, or fundamental point is, that every plant exhausts the soil.

The second, that all plants do not exhaust the soil equally.

The third, that plants of different kinds do not exhaust the soil in the same manner.

The fourth, that all plants do not restore to the soil the same quantity, nor the same quality of manure. The fifth, that all plants are not equally favourable to the growth of weeds.

The following consequences are drawn, from these fundamental principles:

First. However well a soil may be prepared, it cannot long nourish crops of the same kind in succession, without becoming exhausted.

Second. Every crop impoverishes a soil more or less, according as more or less is restored to the soil by the plant cultivated.

Third. Perpendicular rooting plants, and such as root horizontally, ought to succeed each other. Fourth. Plants of the same kind should not return too frequently in a rotation. Fifth Two plants, favourable to the growth of weeds, ought not to succeed each other.

ON GRASSES AND OTHER PLANTS.
No. 8.

dent.

fore, for the alternate husbandry, it is one of the best grasses for permanent pasture, and should never form a less proportion than one-eighth of any Extracts from G. Sinclair's Hortus Gramineus-with mixture of different grasses prepared for that puroccasional notes and observations, by a Correspon-pose: its merits demand this, whether with respect to early growth, produce, nutritive qualities, or (Continued from page 59.) permanency. It has been observed by the Rev. Mr. "ALOPECURUS pratensis. Meadow fox-tail grass.* Swayne, that nearly two-thirds of the seed is con"Specific character-Stem erect, smooth; spike stantly destroyed by insects: according to my exsomewhat panicled; calyx-glumes acute, hairy, comperiments this evil may be almost entirely obviated bined at the base, shorter than the awn of the co by suffering the first culms of the season to carry rolla. Sm. Engl. Fl. i. p. 79. Native of Britain the seed. It flowers in April, May, and June, acand most parts of Europe, from Italy, through cording as it may have been depastured earlier or France, Germany, Holland, to Denmark, Norway, later. Seed ripe in June and July, according to the Sweden, and Russia. season of flowering."

"The proportional value of the grass of the latter math to that at the time of flowering, is as 4 to 3; and the crop, at the time the seed is ripe, is to that of the latter-math as 9 to 8.

This grass is very little known in the United States; and, it is believed, has not yet been cultivated-though it may possibly be worthy of being introduced.

Which infest the Farms in Chester county, Penn.
(Concluded from p. 59.)
No. 10.
MONOECIA-PENTANDRIA.

Amaranthus albus. White amaranth.

A frequent, worthless weed, in Indian corn fields, about barn-yards, &c. but not difficult to keep in subjection, if attended to. Amaranthus hybridus.

Sagittaria sagittifolia. Arrow-head.

A frequent plant in the swampy meadows, and about springs. It is of no value to the farmer, except that the tubers attached to its roots afford a favourite food of hogs; but their rooting after the tubers disfigures and injures the ground. The plant is easily subdued by draining and culture.

Euphorbia hypericifolia. Spurge.

"Experiments clearly shew that there is nearly three-fourths of produce greater from a clayey NOTICES OF PERNICIOUS AND UNPROloam than from a siliceous sandy soil, and that the FITABLE PLANTS, grass from the latter soil is of comparatively less value, in the proportion of 3 to 2. The culms produced on the sandy soil are deficient in number, and in every respect smaller than those from the clayey loam; which satisfactorily accounts for the difference in the quantity of nutritive matter afforded by equal quantities of the grass. It is not the strength and rankness of the grass that indicates the fitness of the soil for its growth, but the number and quality of the culms. The proportional value in which the grass of the latter-math exceeds that This is a homely, obnoxious species; very trouof the flowering crop, is as 4 to 3; a difference which appears extraordinary, when the quantity of blesome in gardens and cultivated lots. It requires flowering culms in the flowering crop is considered. considerable attention to keep it from usurping the In the Anthoxanthum odoratum the proportional dif-place of useful vegetables. ference is still greater, the latter-math being to the MONOECIA.-POLYANDRIA. flowering crop in nutriment nearly as 9 to 4. In the Poa trivialis, they are equal; but in all the later flowering grasses that have culms resembling those of the meadow fox-tail and sweet-scented vernal, the greater proportional value is always, on the contrary, found in the grass of the flowering crop. Whatever the cause may be, it is evident that the loss sustained by taking these grasses at the time of flowering, is considerable. In ordinary cases this seldom happens in practice, because these grasses perfect their seed about the season when hay harvest generally commences, unless where the pasture has been stocked till a late period in the spring, which cannot in this respect be productive of any ultimate advantage, but rather loss. This Seventh. In proportion as a soil is found to ex-grass, under the best management, does not attain haust itself by successive crops, plants which are to its fullest productive powers from seed till four least exhausting ought to be cultivated. years: hence it is inferior to the cock's-foot grass for the purposes of alternate cropping, and to many other grasses besides. The herbage, however, contains more nutritive matter than that of the cock's-a foot, though the weight of grass produced in one season is considerably less. It thrives well under irrigation, keeping possession of the crowns of the ridges: it is strictly permanent. Sheep are very fond of it: when combined with white clover only; the second season, on a sandy loam, it is sufficient for the support of five couple of ewes and lambs per acre. As it only thrives in perfection on lands of an intermediate quality as to moisture and dryness, and also being somewhat longer in attaining These two species of dwarf willow are prone to to its full productive state than some other grasses, form thickets in low, moist meadow grounds, and its merits have been misunderstood in many instances; and in others, as in the alternate husband-require the application of the grubbing hoe, to prery, it has been by some persons set aside altogether. vent them from becoming nuisances. In many rich natural pastures it constitutes the principal grass. Though not so well adapted, there

Sixth. Such plants as eminently exhaust the soil, as the grains and oil plants, should only be sown when the land is in good heart.

Influence of rotations in destroying insects. Olivier, member of the Institute of France, has described all the insects, chiefly tipulæ and muscæ, which live upon the collar or crown of the roots of the cereal grasses; and he has shewn that they mul tiply themselves without end, when the same soil presents the same crop for several years in succes sion, or even crops of analogous species. But when a crop intervenes on which these insects cannot live, as beans or turnips, after wheat or oats, then the whole race of these insects perish from the field for want of proper nourishment for their larva. (Mem. de la Societé Royal et Centrale d'Agr. de Paris, vol. vii.) [Encyc. of Agr.

GERMINATION OF SEEDS. The presence of oxygen gas being the principal requisite for germination, and chlorine the most powerful agent for developing this gas, it has been found that healthy seeds, steeped in the chlorine fluid, are accelerated in their germination; and that others, which appeared to have lost their faculty of germination, have recovered it by the same process.-Humboldt.

This is a worthless weed, frequent in cultivated fields and pastures. It has been supposed by some to be the cause of slabbering in horses; but the opinion wants further confirmation. It is not easily extirpated, but may probably be best kept under by promoting the growth of useful plants.

There are two or three other species equally destitute of value, though they are not considered of much importance.

Corylus americana. Hazle-bush.

This shrub is rather troublesome, sometimes, by forming thickets along fences, and giving the farm slovenly appearance, if neglected. The grubbing hoe is the proper remedy.

MONOECIA-MONADELPHIA.

Acalypha virginica. Three-seeded Mercury. A very common, worthless weed, in gardens, fields, &c. but it is rarely attended to except in gardens.

*This must be carefully distinguished from the plant usually called Fox-tail grass, in many parts of the United States. Our Fox-tail grass is the Setaria glauca, or Panicum glaucum of the botanists; and is rather a worth-a less, weed-like grass.

DIOECIA-DIANDRIA.

Salix Muhlenbergiana.
Salix grisea.

DIOECIA. HEXandria.
Smilax rotundifolia.

Smilax caduca.

These two plants are well known by the name of

* See Gramina Pascua, by the Rev. George Swayne— work which contains much valuable information on the subject of grasses.