LAWRENCE'S TONGUELESS BUCKLE. The Subscriber offers for sale the above patent buckle in any quantity, in all parts of the United States, except Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and so much of New York as lies west of the Hudson river. The right to make the buckles for all Pennsylvania and New York belongs solely to the subscriber, and he will furnish buckles to all who own rights to sell and use in those two States; and they must procure them of the subscriber. Persons in those two States, who wish buckles, must furnish to the subscriber a certificate of the patentee, that they own the right to sell or use. For an account in full of this buckle, which is superior to all others, see the American Agriculturist for Sept., 1845. The buckle being without a tongue, the trace is not weakened by cutting holes in it; it is a compound lever, and holds the trace by pressure, and as the pressure condenses the trace it makes the trace stronger, just where the buckle having a tongue makes it weakest; and the greater the draught the greater the pressure of the buckle on the trace. For buckles apply to Cornell, Brothers, 269 Pearl Street, New York. THOS. HOLLIS.

GENUINE EAGLE PLOWS.

The subscriber is sole Agent in this city for these celebrated plows, and any one else pretending to keep them has only a iniserable imitation; the public, therefore, are cautioned to be on their guard against deception. The following brief abstract from the circular of the manufacturers, Messrs. Ruggles, Nourse & Blason, will give some idea of the public estimation of their merits. In each year, 1842 and 1843, the Agricultural Society of Essex County, Mass., offered premiums for the best plows, and instituted full investigation and trials, which resulted each year, in awarding to Ruggles, Nourse & Mason, the highest premium. The judging Committee for 1843, in their printed Report, say, "our at tention was called to the quality of the eastings on the plows of Ruggles & Co., their finish and durability. Their appearance is certainly more perfect than anything we have elsewhere seen. The process of chilling the point, the entire edge of the share and flange or base of the landside, gives a permanence and durability to the work that renders it of a decidedly superior character,' "and we think there is no hazard in saying, that the value of the parts thus made, is more than doubled by the process."

From recent and extended operations in the trials of these machines at the South, as well as the decisions of scientific and reputable individuals from various and remote parts, the proprietors are now in possession of the most conclusive evidence that this machine not only stands unrivalled, but that its arrangement will ever remain the climax of improvement in Corn Shellers. In the further support of which, the following additional facts are respectfully submitted, viz. :-Its structure is simple and compact; of strong and durable materials; is easy of transportation; safe in its operation against accident; is adapted to all the various kinds of corn, whether damp or dry; receives the ears promiscuously from the shovel, basket, or erib; breaks neither the corn nor the cobs; is readily attached to any horse or other power (being The following Table shows the number of premiums awarded simply driven by belt or rope); operates in the double capacity of to competitors contending for the prizes before the several differ-sheller and separater, doing its work perfectly clean, and at the ent societies named, and the number awarded to those who used rate of from one hundred to one hundred and fifty bushels per plows made by Ruggles, Nourse, & Mason. hour.

the highest,

do

83333388

Windham do Vt., 1845
the highest,
Dutchess do N.Y., 1845 4 do
It is but just to remark that the competition was as great be-
tween the different plow-makers as between the plowmen; and,
in most instances, noted, the plows above-named were strongly
contested by Prouty & Mears' (so called) "Centre Draught,"
Martin's imitation of our " Eagle" plows, and that in every case,
the first premiams were awarded to plowmen, who performed
their work with plows made by Ruggles, Nourse & Mason.
A. B. ALLEN, 187 Water Street, N. Y.

DAVISON'S PATENT PROCESS FOR CURING
MEAT.

The undersigned is authorized by the patentees to sell patents
for the using and sale of Davison's Apparatus for Curing Meats;
and preserving timber; and also for the sale of rights for States.
The nature of the apparatus may be learned from the article
page 28 in this volume of the Agriculturist. By this process, all
kinds of meat can be perfectly cured in twelve hours, and in
warm weather as well as cold. It leaves all the juices in the
meat, and of course it makes a better article; bacon cured in it
may be put to smoke in two days. It is just such an article as
every planter in the South should have. Application for rights
and for single machines may be made to the subscriber.
price of the machines is from $75 to 8300, according to size.
A. B. ALLEN, 187 Water Street, N.Y.

The

In the manufacture of these machines, the parties concerned have spared neither pains nor expense in the establishment of that system which would produce an article of the greatest utility, accompanied with least expense. The machine in its present and improved style is respectfully submitted as evidence of success; and the proprietors only ask of the public a careful investigation, and they will cheerfully abide the result.

In regard to a fixed and uniform price, on which there has been no settled arrangement, the proprietors now have the satisfaction to state that the mode of manufacture has become firmly estab lished, and the price per machine will uniformly be Fifty Dollars. F. N. SMITH, Patentee. Samuel Hanna, proprietor for the States of New York and New Jersey, and general agent for the Atlantic States.

The subscriber having become sole manufacturer of the above machine, is now prepared to supply orders, and will forward at the established price. Apply to

SAMUEL HANNA, Valatia, Kinderhook, N. Y.

A. B. ALLEN, Agent, 187 Water Street, N. Y.

T B. WHEELER, Travelling Agent for the Southern States.

FASTOLFF RASPBERRY.

The Subscriber has just received a fresh supply of the above valuable Raspberry, esteemed in England superior to all other varieties. The fruit is very large, of rich flavor, and bears abun dantly. They are ready for delivery as follows: Package containing 25 canes, $5 Containing 12 canes, $3. Single canes, 30 cents. These are warranted true to name. Also for sale, a choice collection of green-house and stove plants. Orders addressed to the undersigned will receive attention, and from unknown applicants a remittance or satisfactory reference is required. JACOB R. VALK.

Horticultural Gardens, Flushing, L. I., N.Y., January 1, 1846.

A SUPERIOR STALLION.

A thorough-bred stallion for sale, of a fashionable pedigree i five years old; of a blood bay; black legs, mane, and tail, and without white. He stands 15 hands high, and will weigh 1,100 lbs. He has won several races, and is a superb trotter, going level in his pace. He is perfectly sound; kind in temper; possesses great style, and would have made a capital roadster. He has two crosses in him, of the famous imported Messenger, and may be depended on to get first-rate roadsters. His price is $400, which is extremely low for him. He would have brought $1,200 easily three years ago, but his owner having no further use for him is desirous of selling.

Also for sale a road stallion 16 hands high, and four years old, of a bay color and fine style. Price $400. Apply to A. B. ALLEN, 187 Water Street.

AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST.

-WASHINGTON.

Agriculture is the most healthful, the most useful, and the most noble employment of man.-
NEW YORK, MARCH, 1846.

VOL. V.

A. B. ALLEN, Editor.

TO AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.

NO. III.

SAXTON & MILES, Publishers, 205 Broadway.

close of the year. But we will not anticipate too much, knowing how hard it is to get the farmer and planter to support what is for their best interests. How important that their minds be open to conviction; yet we cannot expect to see this done till a general course of agricultural education is introduced into the district schools. This would make an effectual revolution.

Subscribers will please remit direct to the publishers, Saxton & Miles, 205 Broadway; and not to the editor, A. B. Allen, 187 Water Street. Enclose the money in preference to Post-office orders, as these are very troublesome to collect. The former may be done at the risk of the publishers.

EARLY PLOWING.

Ir will be recollected that one of our correspondents in volume 4, page 376, proposed that we should offer the paper to Agricultural Societies, when distributed among its members, at the low rate of FIFTY CENTS a year per copy. With a view of aiding all such in the good work in which they are engaged, and to encourage the farmers to become members, the publishers immediately acceded to the proposition, and, in addition, have since offered the volumes handsomely and uniformly bound for SEVENTY-FIVE cents per copy. We hope that these very liberal deductions from regular prices, will be met with a corresponding spirit, and that they may not only be the means of increasing the number of members to these Societies, but ensure a preference among them for the American Agricul- PERHAPS Some of our readers may think that an turist. The great benefit that would arise from the article on plowing in the month of March is dissemination of such a work as this among the rather out of place. This depends entirely upon people must be apparent to all. Some Societies the climate and season. Sometimes we have a have not only taken a large number of copies warm spell of weather in which plowing may be already, but, in addition to this, have employed performed, even in the northern States; but plowagents to go around among the farmers to forming is always going on more or less during this clubs and deliver lectures. This course has again been marked with success, and finds much favor when properly carried into effect. Would that we could see a hundred thousand copies of our periodical distributed among the rural population, and faithfully read, although we should not make a single cent by it. There would be a great reform then in many places, and an amount of good done for the farming community that could scarcely be calculated. We earnestly entreat attention to this subject among all interested in agriculture.

Since the commencement of the present volume, our paper has materially increased in its circulation, and we have no doubt that several thousand new subscribers will be added to the old list before the

month in the southern States. To those who cultivate clay lands, which they neglected to plow last autumn, we would say, take the first opportunity when the frost is out to plow such land, and be sure to plow it deep, and be careful to lead off all the surface water by running furrows in different directions before you begin to plow. Another caution, don't work either your men or your team in rainy weather, neither after a rain until the ground is sufficiently dried not to make mortar in the furrows by the tread of the team. The object of this timely plowing is, that the land may if possible have a chance at the frost before sowing or planting. The mechanical effect of the frost upon the land thus turned up and exposed, is to make a stiff

76

RULES FOR THE APPLICATION OF GUANO, ITS HISTORY AND VALUE.

RULES FOR THE APPLICATION OF GUANO,
ITS HISTORY AND VALUE.

cellent to start crops on cold, moist land. It hastens the ripening of crops on all kinds of soil.

Take Particular Notice.-In speaking below about applying a tablespoonful, or any other quantity of guano, we mean that amount, without admixture; if mixed with four times its quantity of soil, then it would require five tablespoonfuls of this compost to be applied to get the single one of guano, &c.

Grass and Grass Lands.--Spread broad-cast, from 250 to 400 lbs. per acre, mixed in a compost of earth of about four to one. As soon as the snow is off the ground and the frost begins to come out, is the

150 to 200 lbs. may be given in midsummer, directly after the first mowing. Care should be taken to do this just before a rain. Grass lands may be top-dressed in the fall; but in that case, much of the guano is likely to be washed off by the heavy rains and lost. We recommend applying it at the rate of 200 to 300 lbs. per acre, on land re-, cently seeded with grass. This should be done just previous to harrowing and rolling.

Preparation. Before using guano, pass it through a fine sieve, and all lumps remaining break up, and these pass through the sieve. Now take at least four times its bulk of sand, or dry sandy, or light loamy soil, and pass this through a coarser sieve, if you have one, and mix it in layers with the guano. Let this compost lie a few days-several weeks would be better-then toss it over and beat it up well together, and it will be fit for use. Some prefer mixing the guano with ten or twenty times its bulk of soil for a compost, and do not take the trouble of sifting it, but mix them together in alter-best time to apply it. Another application of from nate layers as well as it can be done with a shovel. Sifting, however, is best, as it is done so much more evenly. Sawdust is an excellent material with which to mix guano; but powdered charcoal is perhaps the best of all, as it fixes the ammonia, absorbs its unpleasant smell, and is in itself an excellent manure. When convenient to be obtained, plaster of Paris ought to be used in the compost, at the rate of 30 to 50 lbs., for every 100 lbs. of guano it acts in the same way as charcoal. Lime When sward land is to be plowed for a crop, it and ashes must be avoided in composts, as they may be top-dressed with guano previous to plowrapidly expel the ammonia, the most valuable part ing, and then be turned under the sod. It will warm of the guano. Muck, if possible, should not be and hasten the decomposition of the soil, and afford used for the compost, as it is too moist and tena-food for the crop about the time the grain or fruit is cious to form a proper mixture. The same objec-filling, and thus add largely to the product tion holds good against clay or any tenacious soil. Wheat, Rye, Barley, Oats, &c.-On winter wheat Nevertheless, if there be no other soil at hand, and rye, spread broad-cast from 200 to 300 lbs. of muck or clay may be thoroughly dried and pulve- guano, per acre, just before the plant commences rized, and then used. Guano should not be mixed growing in the spring. If applied in the fall, unless with barn-yard manures, or indeed with any moist on very poor soil, it is apt to give the crop too rank substance, as these cause it to undergo the very de-a growth before winter sets in. On spring wheat, composition requisite to promote vegetation. The rye, barley, oats, &c., spread the same quantity at compost should be made under cover, unless the the time of sowing, and harrow it in with the seed. weather be dry. Rain would be quite injurious to If this be not convenient it may be applied within it, in hastening the decomposition of the guano, a week or fortnight after the grain appears above and expelling its ammonia in the atmosphere. ground. Caution must be used about applying too Value.-Guano is valuable for every kind of soil, much on the small grain crops, otherwise it will be except that which is already very rich, and to every likely to promote too rank a growth and occasion kind of field and garden crop, grass, grain, vegetables, fruits, and flowers. The reason it is so serIndian Corn.-For this crop guano may be viceable to all, arises from the fact of its containing spread broad-cast upon the land, the same as for every kind of food necessary for the growth of wheat; but it is better to apply it directly to the stem, flower, fruit, and seed. The eminent chemist, hill. Hollow out the hill with the hoe, put in Dr. Jackson, of Massachusetts, says: "It comes about a tablespoonful of guano, cover it over onenearer to a UNIVERSAL COMPOST than any other ex-and-a-half to two inches deep with soil, and then cremental manure." sow the seed and cover up. If the corn be sowed in

smut.

Guano is particularly valuable for conservatories drills, furrow out lightly with a one-horse plow, and gardens, inasmuch as it is quickly and easily then apply the guano as in hills, and cover it with applied; its fertilizing matter is in a very condensed the hoe or other implement. At the first time hoeform; and it contains no seeds of weeds to shoot up ing, put double the above quantity of guano around and check the growth of plants desired to be culti-the hill, and hoe it in, taking particular care that it vated. Its fertilizing properties being in a very con- does not touch the stalks, otherwise it will be very densed form, the whole cost of enough for an acre likely to kill them. If this can be done just before and its application, is frequently less than the cost a rain, so much the better. Some apply guano again of mere transportation of city or barnyard manures to the ground where they are to be used. This is a very important consideration to the farmer, and especially the gardener.

just as the corn is ready to tassel and fruit, but we should hardly think this necessary except in very poor soil. If more than the above quantity be applied to corn, it must be planted extra wide apart, Quantity Required per Acre.-This depends upon otherwise the growth will be so large as to make the kind of soil and its condition, and the kind of the stalks and leaves intermix and produce smut. crop to be grown. From 250 to 400 lbs. of guano Potatoes, Tomatoes, Sugar Cane, Tobacco, Cotton, per acre is the safest quantity to apply. It acts Cabbage, Cauliflower, and some other crops, may be quickest in a light sandy soil or loam, and is ex-treated nearly in the same manner as corn.

RULES FOR THE APPLICATION OF GUANO, ITS HISTORY AND VALUE.

77

Peas, Beans, Turnips, Beets, Carrots, Parsnips, | it. Then as often as you wish to use the guano, and Onions. If these are sown broad-cast, apply take out the stopper and draw out what is necessary the guano in the same way as directed to wheat; from the keg with an iron rod flattened and slightly if in drills, as directed with corn, except it might crooked at the end. Now make a liquid of it as not be best to cover the guano with more than one described above, or with a trowel dig a small quan to one-and-a-half inches of soil in the drill, and then sow the seed.

Asparagus and Celery.—It is a good top-dressing for these early in the spring.

Melons, Cucumbers, Squashes, and Pumpkins.Treat to guano the same as corn in the hill, allowing an even tablespoonful for each plant to be left to run to vine.

Strawberries, Raspberries, Currants, Grape Vines, and indeed all fruits, may have guano dug in about the small roots, early in the spring.

tity of it in the earth, around the plant. This, says Mr. Teschemacher, must be done before the plants form their full sized flowering buds, otherwise they will begin to make new shoots, the buds will be left behind, and the flowers will open with diminished beauty. Be very careful not to let the guano touch the stems or leaves of your plants, otherwise it will be certain to kill them,

A boquet of flowers may be preserved a long time in water, by adding a very small quantity of guano to it as often as renewed. A quarter of an ounce to a quart of water would be sufficient. It might be well also to add a tablespoonful of pulverized charcoal at the same time.

Apple, Pear, Peach, Cherry, Plum, Quince, and other Fruit Trees.-Guano not only adds to the size, and fair, plump appearance of all fruits, but is said to increase the delicacy of their flavor. It Caution in Application.-Be very careful to place should not be applied around the body of the tree the guano so that it will not touch the embryo, or unless it be a very small one, but to the extreme young roots, or stalks of corn, potatoes, cabbages, ends of the roots, otherwise it cannot be absorbed, tobacco sugar cane, cotton, or any plant that has and of course will be nearly all lost. Roots of but one stem from its root; for it is of such a burntrees spread under ground about the same distance ing nature, that if a portion no larger than a small from the trunk, as the branches do above ground. pea comes in contact with the plant, before being Let the soil be well trenched from one to three feet watered or rained on, or undergoing partial decomwide, according to the size of the tree, directly position, it instantly kills it. With grass and small under the circle formed by the ends of the branches, grains this caution is not important, as other shoots and the guano then be incorporated with the soil, from the roots will immediately supply the place of within a few inches of the top of the rootlets; it those killed. will thus find its way to their mouths, and as it decomposes be taken up in the sap for the benefit of the tree and its fruit. If applied later than May or June, it will make a large, soft, spongy, growth of unripened wood of no value whatever.

Destructive to Insects.-That guano is destructive to insects may be proved by any one disposed to make the experiment. Take insects and put them in a saucer or bottle, and sprinkle a little guano on them; or mix up a tablespoonful of guano in a gill Steeps and Liquid for Watering Plants.-For of water, and pour this liquid upon the insects. It one pound of guano use 5, 10, or even 20 gallons will be found to kill the smaller ones almost inof water; or at the same rate for a smaller propor-stantaneously, and the larger in one or two hours' tion. Stir it up well and cover over the vessel time.

tight, so as to prevent the escape of the ammonia, History of Guano.-Guano, or huano, as it is and let it remain from one to three days before called in the Peruvian language, is the dung of seabeing used. Now water around (not upon) the birds which has been accumulating for centuries on plants as occasion may require. If this liquid the headlands and islands of the coast of Peru; the touches the plant, or its leaves, it is apt to burn it. birds resorting to these places to lay, and hatch, and Previous to watering, stir the earth well around the rear their young. A good many of the young die plant. One pound of guano for 20 gallons of water there, or are killed by being trodden under foot by may be thought to make a very weak steep for wa- the old birds. More or less feathers are annually tering plants, but such is not the fact; we have shed from the old birds and incorporated with the seen the most surprising results from watering with dung, all adding to its value. These birds exist in a steep no stronger than this. Some of our friends countless numbers, and living almost entirely on last year steeped their corn and other grain in this fish, their manure is of the richest kind produced. liquid, from 3 to 24 hours previous to planting. It It never rains on the coast of Peru; the fertilizing came up unusually quick, and grew very rapidly. properties of the dung, therefore, are not subject to For steeps we would recommend 10 to 20 gallons be washed out; and as very little of the salts can of water to each pound of guano, using the latter be evaporated in a dry atmosphere, it retains nearly quantity for the more delicate seeds. It is so pow- all its fertilizing properties for ages. This dry clierful a substance there is great danger of its killing mate is peculiar to the coast of Peru; guano comthe embryo of the seed, if applied in too strong ing from Chili or any other quarter of the globe, doses. The phosphate of lime and magnesia in the cannot therefore be so good as the Peruvian, as the guano are insoluble in water; the sediment there-analyses below fully show. fore is valuable to spread on the land.

Guano has been used by the Peruvians from time

To the Ladies.-Guano is very easily applied by immemorial, for manuring Indian corn and other you, and in the neatest possible manner, to your crops and fruits. After the Spaniards conquered conservatory and garden plants. Purchase a neat Peru, they adopted the use of it in their husbandry, keg of it containing about 60 lbs., have a hole bored and have continued it with the best effects for more in the head, into which insert a stopper. Now than three centuries. In the West India Islands it place the keg on its side as if to draw liquor out of has been used with good effect for a long time. It