PRESENT CROP OF CORN IN THE UNITED STATES.

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faggots, piled in heaps, and covered like charcoal pits, where a smouldering fire expels the resinous matter, which is secured in trenches, and barreled in its liquid state as tar. Resin and pitch are other forms of the same crude material. One worthy citizen observed to me, people might laugh at North Carolina for its pine, but the inhabitants did mighty well by it.

The section of the state farther westward, and near the base of the mountains, is much more fertile, and produces abundantly of wheat, corn, and in many instances of cotton, flax, &c. The lands still further back are of a highly productive soil, on which is grown almost every variety of product suited to the climate, and the river banks, near the coast, afford some of the best rice lands in the United States. The legislative policy of the citizens of this State has been cautious, and generally judicious, and probably no one in the Union is in a safer condition.

will justify their use; where wood is abundant as it is generally south of the Chesapeake; use charcoal ashes; husband and apply all the animal and vegetable manures which can be procured; pursue a judicious system of rotation of crops, taking care ⚫ to give back to the soil a part of the vegetable matter by turning in a growth of clover, grain, peas, &c.; and finally, introduce stock which shall consume a part of the products on the soil, and return in their manure an equivalent for what they have exhausted. Sheep, of which there are comparatively few south of Delaware, would soon produce a marked and rapid improvement in the soil, while they yielded an ample return for the attention bestowed on them. The adoption of this system would result in slowly, but certainly restoring the land; while such as were more favorably situated, where peat, muck, and sea-weed can be obtained and profusely applied, would rapidly come up to the most satisfactory standard of fertility. Where the growth of clover or the cow-pea can be secured, Wilmington has increased rapidly of late, since the success is certain with proper management. These construction of the railroad, and now contains some will secure the means of augmenting fertility to 8,000 people, with most of the important buildings any required extent, by occasionally turning in a new and well constructed. It enjoys a profitable crop, and making their consumption contribute to trade from the regions drained by the Cape Fear the same object, by applying the manure from the and its branches, and its traffic and manufactures animals, fed upon them. We know nothing beyond of turpentine are productive. Both Richmond this; nor has science, or the most successful and Petersburg are thriving from their considerable practice, so far as our knowledge extends, discov-introduction of cotton, iron, and woollen manufacered anything further. There is no royal road to tures of late. The former has about 25,000, and farming, more than to education; and its pursuits the latter near 20,000 inhabitants. R. L. ALLEN must be sought by the intelligent and diligent ap- Charleston, S. C., Nov. 11th, 1846. plication of nature's slow, but certain means, or success is unattainable.

So far as my route enables me to determine the staples of the eastern part of North Carolina, they are exclusively turpentine, and its products. For a distance of considerably over one hundred miles, there is but one interminable plain of pine and oak, and mostly of the former. There are two species here, the long and short leaf. The former, when but a few feet in height, has a very graceful appearance with its long, spreading, grass-like, tufts of luxuriant leaves, and when grown, giving a palmetto aspect to its branches. Both are rich in turpentine, while they yield freely. The system adopted here, is to bare a part of the trunk of its bark, and fresh or external wood, say one-third to half its circumference, and two or three feet in height, cutting a basin at the bottom to catch the turpentine. This is done in the spring, and the deposit removed from time to time as it exudes and is accumulated through the season. Another year requires a fresh cut, which is made higher up on another side of the tree, and a thrifty growth will bear from five to eight years' tapping. As may be supposed, an extensive forest is required to afford adequate employment to many laborers; yet it is found highly remunerating under favorable circumstances. A single hand will frequently earn $500 or $600 in a season, and sometimes $120 in a single month is realized by an active person. Much of this crude material is manufactured into spirits of turpentine in the woods where produced, and barreled for market, many of the furnaces employed for this purpose meeting the eye as we passed. In other focalities, the pine is split into

PRESENT CROP OF CORN IN THE UNITED STATES.We see that the Louisville Journal estimates this at 500,000,000 bushels. We should be pleased to learn upon what data this estimate is founded. The census for 1840 sets it down at 387,380,185 bushels; but we place no dependence whatever on the careless returns of this census. For example, it sets down the potato crop at 113,183,619 bushels, not one-third of that of corn. We are of the opinion, that in the Northern States more potatoes are raised than corn; at the South and West, not near so many; still we doubt whether the crop of corn is double that of the potato. Admitting our present census to be 20,000,000, in round numbers,500,000,000 would be 25 bushels of corn to each man, woman, and child, in the United States. doubt whether there are 3,000,000 of farmers among our people. The above estimate would make the average among these 166 bushels eachentirely too much in our humble judgment.

65

100

We

The census for 1845 of the State of New York, sets down the potato crop at 23,653,418 bushels; the corn crop at 14,722,114—a little over one-half of that of potatoes. Admitting the population to be 2,604,495, this would be 50 bushels of corn for each man, woman, and child. Suppose the corn crop of this State to be an average of that of the Union, the population of which is estimated to be 20,000.000, the whole crop then would be only 113,000,000. In a note, page 375 of this number of our paper, taking the late U. S. census for guide, we estimate the corn crop at 400,000,000 Without doubt this must be too high.

Mr. Norton's Letters.

whole county; that is, he has a right to everything that is under the surface. He may sink a shaft for coal or lead in the middle of any gentleman's garden, on merely paying him for the extent of surface occupied by the mouth of the shaft, and the buildings which it may be necessary to erect about it. Chirk Castle, Mr. Biddulph's residence, is a building of immense extent, and great antiquity. The rooms are very superb, and the repairs and improvements now going on, must cost from £60,000 to £70,000, or about $300,000. Many hundred acres are devoted to a deer park, where there is a herd of 600 deer. Some of the stags are of great size, with noble branching antlers.

As I find myself once more upon this side of the Atlantic, I shall take pleasure in renewing, according to your request, an occasional, if not a regular correspondence. My time in Holland during the coming year, will be almost entirely engrossed in the pursuit of my chemical studies, but opportunities will undoubtedly present themselves for the communication of anything interesting to your readers, that may fall within the range of my observation either in the laboratory or on the farm. Before our ship had reached the docks at Liverpool, I received an invitation from a Scotch friend, Mr. Girdwood, to visit him at his new home in My stay in Wales was too short to admit of North Wales, about 40 miles from Liverpool. As those particular inquiries into their agriculture and it was a part of the country which I had never systems of cropping, which I could have desired. visited, I determined to spare a day in compliance It was easy to see, however, that they were far with his request. From Chester to Chirk, the from perfection, and that deeply-rooted prejudices place of Mr. Girdwood's residence, a distance of 22 were abundant. There is much more hope of our miles, I rode on the top of a coach, and thus had country than of such districts as these, where their an opportunity of enjoying some of the most beau-practices, founded on the habits of many hundred tiful scenery that I have ever observed in England. years, have become almost sacred. The face of the country is agreeably undulating, I had no idea until I landed in this country, of the with high bare mountains rising in the background. extent to which the potato disease has prevailed. The hedges are very luxuriant, and a sufficiency of In many districts, the destruction seems to be noble trees are scattered about to give a finish to almost entire. The factor of Islay, one of the the view. The number of gentlemen's seats is very Western Hebrides, told me a few days since, that great, this being a favorite region. The Marquis there were not enough potatoes for seed left in the of Westminster has a magnificent place, with a island; he had seen none upon his own table for straight avenue of three miles in length, lined with some time. Many of the crops were not lifted at trees, running up to the house from the high road. all, but the starving poor were allowed to pick over I was particularly struck by the fine appearance the fields and save what they could. The populaof the grass along my whole route; it was close, tion of the island is about 17,000, and of these a thick, and beautifully green. It is no doubt better very large proportion depend almost entirely upon than usual this year, as the summer has been a potatoes for their food. The factor said they must warm and dry one, so that the undrained fields starve without assistance from government. The have enjoyed the most favorable conditions. Now price of potatoes here in Edinburgh is 25 cents per that the rains have commenced, a great breadth of peck. In Ireland, as you have doubtless heard, the the country shows the want of drainage, a branch destitution is becoming frightful. A general moveof farming in which this section is particularly deficient. I saw some of the finest fields of turnips imaginable, one of about 40 acres would yield at least 25 tons to the acre. This must not be considered as a fair specimen of Welsh agriculture, which is notoriously inferior.

ment of the whole disposable military force thither, has taken place within a few days, as in some counties the people are proceeding to violence. In other places there have been gatherings of men who have marched peaceably to their landlords and asked what they should do to avoid starvation. On assurances of relief the poor creatures have quietly dispersed.

Mr. Girdwood has recently become the agent of an immense property, more than 20 miles in extent, and will no doubt gradually introduce most of the The demand for our bread-stuffs must be enorfeatures of that improved system of agriculture mous during this winter, particularly for Indian which he has so successfully practised on his own corn. We are highly favored with an abundant crop, farm in the Lothians of Scotland. He has taken and it is to be hoped that by the energetic measures one very large and neglected farm under his own which the British government are now adopting, supervision, and will proceed to drain, subsoil, and a sufficient supply will be procured from us and otherwise improve it, so as to form an example for others, to avert the unspeakable horrors of famine. the rest of the property. Improved implements are Edinburgh, Oct. 16, 1846. JOHN P. NORTON. much required. There are immense coal mines on the estate, one of the beds being 18 feet in thick- Above, we have the gratification of laying before ness. The lime quarries are also worked to a very our readers the first of a second series of letters from great extent, 120,000 tons were raised and burned Europe, by our excellent friend, Mr. Norton. Suflast year. This is in great part used for agricultu- ficient funds having been recently donated to Yale ral purposes, and is transported on the Ellesmere College, to establish a professorship of Agriculture canal, which passes within a short distance of the in that venerable institution, Mr. N. was appointed quarries. A railway now building from Chester, will to it, and sailed from this port on the 16th of last still farther increase the advantages of the property. September, with a view of passing another year in Mr. Biddulph, the owner of this wide domain, Europe, in order to better fit himself for assuming has also what are called manorial rights over the the duties of his station.

PIGSTIES.-SHOW OF THE BERKSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

THERE is perhaps nothing that more strikingly marks the thrifty farmer than the judicious arrange- THE thirty-sixth anniversary of this Institution ment and good condition of his farm-buildings. was celebrated by the farmers, mechanics, merHaving had occasion lately to erect some pig-chants, lawyers, physicians, clergy, and ladies of sties, and being dissatisfied with the old arrangement, I set about devising a more convenient one. My plan, on trial, is found to answer an excellent purpose. I send you a copy, with a description, hoping that it may prove of some service to my fellow farmers; or at least excite their attention to this important, but much-neglected branch of farm economy.

366

IMPORTATION OF PURE-BRED MERINO SHEEP.-ITEMS.

and all the et ceteras on which their failures or successes depended. He further urged the immediate introduction of agriculture as a science into all our common schools, by stating that these are the institutions where the great body of American farmers are to receive their first and final education.

After the address, the reports of the Committees were read, which gave satisfactory assurances of the increasing interest in agricultural advancement, and of the flourishing condition of the county.

wonder. For the encouragement of southern economists, who prefer purchasing in foreign markets, rather than manufacturing at home, we must note a piece of carpeting, of more than ninety yards in length, manufactured by Miss C. F. Peirson, of Richmond, in a style which a southern nabob might be proud to admire, while, at the same time, he might be prouder still that he is a native of a republic where the persevering energy and discriminating taste of such women are allowed ample scope for their operations. Then we saw on the The exercises at the Church closed, and the opposite end of the hall, a beautiful silk bed-quilt, Society, with their guests, returned to the Berkworked by Mrs. Lucy Gay, of the same place. We shire House, and partook of the excellent repast did not attempt in the hurry, and amid the excite- provided for the occasion; after which, they sepament of the occasion, to count the number of pieces rated, with much kind feeling, to their quiet homes, arranged in this rich and gay article, but were cre- rendered dearer by the late festival, to commence dibly informed that they numbered seven thousand anew their labors of preparation for another similar six hundred and ninety-two, all beautifully orna-scene. mented in roses. What a bed of flowers that must be, adorned with an article enriched by so much labor and fine taste! And what a dowry must the bride present to her husband who can bring such specimens of the labor and skill of her girlhood's sunny days. Then there were butter and cheese of the richest flavor, paintings of the highest finish, furniture of the most polished brightness-in short, almost everything calculated to

Variegate, adorn,

And make the farmer's home delightful.” There, too, we saw a card of finely-wrought hardware, from the manufactory of L. Pomeroy & Sons, of Pittsfield; a box of chemicals from Mr. Fish, of Salisbury, Conn.; and a model of Benson's new machine for raising water, all matters that indicate the growing prosperity of our country.

On the morning of the second day, the plowing match came off at eight o'clock. From five to seven thousand spectators attended to witness the feats of the occasion, and twenty-four teams, thirteen of horses and eleven of oxen, entered to compete for the prizes. The time for performing the labor was, in consequence of the dryness of the earth, and heat of the morning, lengthened to an hour, and the skill manifested showed itself worthy of Berkshire plowmen.

W. BACON.

Mount Osceola, Mass., Oct. 12th, 1846.

IMPORTATION OF PURE-BRED MERINO SHEEP.-— Gentlemen desiring any information whatever in regard to the late importation of sheep, by Mr. Taintor, of Hartford, Connecticut, will please address the editor of this paper, as Mr. T. has no time to answer letters on this subject. The editor is also empowered to make sales of the male produce of this flock, deliverable next season. Females will not be for sale. Special attention is requested to this paragraph by all interested in the matter.

THE LATE EPIDEMIC AMONG HORSES.-It is

known to most of our readers, that a very fatal epidemic has prevailed extensively, the past season, in the country around this city, among horses. It seems to have confined its attacks almost exclu

sively to pastured horses. A medical friend, in has made some dissections, informs us that he conwhose opinions we have great confidence, and who siders the malady a malarious congestive fever, affecting specially the head. General bleeding has not been useful. The treatment from which most advantage appeared to be derived, consisted in the topical abstraction of blood from the head (that is, At eleven o'clock, the Society moved in proces-cold water to it, by means of cloths bound upon it; bleeding about one quart), and the application of sion to the Congregational Church, to hear the re- and internally the use of calomel, about two port of awarding committees, and listen to the drachms daily, till the horse recovers. The disease address of JOHN S. GOULD, Esq., of Stockport, N.Y. has now ceased. Should it return, our friend thinks We would not anticipate the publication of Mr. that the best means of preventing its ravages, will Gould's address (for we hope it will be published be to confine the horses to stables, especially durentire, and go into the hands of every farmer in the ing the night. land), but we cannot forbear saying that it was what the present state of agriculture promptly demands-sound, pointed, and practical.

TRANSPLANTING TREES.-A correspondent in the He alluded to the exhausting system of husban- January number of the Agriculturist cautions gardry, which has depopulated some of the fairest por- deners against transplanting trees while the sap is tions of the earth That professional knowledge is in circulation, as it cannot be done without injuring necessary, and should be brought into continual them. How are ignorant cultivators to know when practice, to prevent a continuation of such calami-a tree is in a proper state? Are trees which lose ties. He conclusively showed, why so many fail- their leaves annually moved more safely in autumn ures arise from adopting what is called book-farm- or spring? What season is best for removing ing, and urged the importance of farmers keeping a evergreens in the Middle States? and why? strict account of their operations; and in giving AN INQUIRER. their statements to the public, that they should be For information on this subject "Inquirer" is particular in describing soil, situation, locality, referred to note on p. 224 of the current volume.

BRITISH AND IRISH FLAX CULTURE.-NO. 2.-THE ALPACA.-No. 7.

367

BRITISH AND IRISH FLAX CULTURE.-No. 2. | heavy soil; but the inexperienced will find the Nature and Preparation of the Soil, Sowing, &c.-most profitable crop to be that grown from six to The most suitable soil for flax is a deep loam, or eight pecks. Observe, if the drill is used, the rich haugh, on a moist bottom, where the pores are creases should be filled up with a bush; but if the not so close as in clay or till, and the strength of seed is sown broad-cast, fine light harrows must be the soil fully equal to the food which the plant re-used. An extra turn or two, therefore, with the quires. Clayey land seems to be of too close a harrows, the roll, and the scarifier, beyond the retexture for its tender roots, and binds too much to quirements for barley, will be sufficient. It will allow the fibres to expand themselves in quest of also be found that, where the soil has been well nourishment. A light sandy soil, on the other prepared and cleaned, the cost for weeding flax will hand, is too weak to bear a heavy crop, and is too be very trifling; because, when the land is rich, the much exhausted by it to render the lint crop a suf- plants spring up with astonishing rapidity, and ficient recompense for the chance of failure in the quickly overtop the small weeds. It is necessary, subsequent crops. On lands saturated either with however, to remove the larger, but much injury is underground or surface water, good flax cannot be often done in the attempt to eradicate the smaller. expected.

In those countries, in which the greatest quantity of flax is produced, the most favorite soil for this crop is on the banks of large and gentle-flowing rivers, which, by their flooding, have, in the course of ages, formed the richest and deepest mould. This may show us what is its native soil, and where it can be cultivated with the most profit.

Preparing the Land, than which nothing can be more simple; for, if the field destined for flax has been plowed the full depth, previous to the frost, it will only be necessary to reduce the surface to a garden-like state, by harrowing, scarifying, and rolling; it being scarcely possible to render the land too fine.

As early in April as the weather will permit, is the best time for sowing; for the earlier sown, the better the crop. Do not await perfect dryness when the ground is somewhat moist. in the soil, as the seed will vegetate more quickly

Facts connected with the Flax Crop.-1st.-Under the improved system of husbandry, flax is not exhausting, but a highly restorative crop.

2d.-If sown primarily for the seed, the value of the crop is equal to the average value of wheat, barley, and oats.

3d-Under experienced management, in every department, the crop is worth more than wheat.

4th.-Flax will grow upon any soils that produce grain, and upon soils where grain will not grow at all.

In order to ensure a first-rate crop, it will be necessary, during the above process, to sow six or 5th. The plant will flourish after any crop, eight bushels per acre of bone-dust, and about two turnips excepted, and probably carrots or mangel cwt, of real guano, by which means they will be wurtzel. intimately mixed with the soil; or if bone-dust 6th.-Flax has been grown upon my farm during cannot be had, the guano might be increased to the past six years in the following rotations, viz.: three or four cwt. per acre. But about eight loads clover, stubble, flax, wheat, barley-wheat, flax, of good farm-yard manure, well decomposed and wheat, barley-wheat, barley, flax, barley-potamixed with mould, is much to be preferred. Where land is in a previously rich state, less manure will, of course, be required; but if it has only been slightly plowed, a repetition will be necessary, as well as of the scarifying, &c. Small pieces of grass and roots of weeds left by the harrows should be gathered up, and a light roll drawn over the land before.

toes, flax, turnips, wheat-wheat, potatoes, flax, turnips the same year, barley-and so on, the improvement in each field being distinguishable.

7th. When wheat follows flax much less seed

is required.

8th. The successful cultivation of the plant depends upon the preservation of the seed a point hitherto not recognized either by the theory or practice of past or present times.-Condensed from

Warnes Treatise.

THE ALPACA.-No. 7.

Sowing the Seed, in order that it may fall upon an even surface. Linseed is generally sown by hand; but this process is best performed by such machines as are used for grass seeds. Some prefer depositing the seed by a drill set at intervals of Domestication of Alpacas in Europe and in the about seven inches; a practice I at first adopted, United States-The further introduction and domesbut now discontinue in favor of the broad-cast tication of the alpaca in Great Britain and Ireland, system, because the stalks will grow to a greater has been diligently and ably investigated by Mr. length, and be more equal in size; nor is my land Walton, from whose treatise we give the following infested with any noxious weeds to render hoeing condensed account:— necessary. Where the seed is sown by the hand, the machine or the drill, it must not be deposited deep. Half, or one inch, in damp weather, and one and a half in dry, ought not to be exceeded.

If seed and coarse flax are the aim, six pecks an acre will be sufficient; but if fine flax and seed, eight, ten, or twelve pecks will be necessary. It will be found in general that the greatest quantity will produce the most valuable fibre, but the least seed.

From

In 1817, the late D. Bennet, Esq., of Farringdon. House, Berks, received a pair of alpacas, and fed them, as he did his sheep, with hay and turnips in the winter. He found them hardy and healthy; and noticed that they required little care. this stock he reared fifteen, of which the greatest number he had in his possession at one time was eight. Generally the young ones passed into other hands.

From Viscount Ingestre I was favored with the A sandy does not require so much seed as a following, under the date of May 31st:-" In