e. Barley I have only seen in the northern counIn Washington County, it is said to thrive as well Kentucky.

class of grain-bearing plants, which can hardly be to be cultivated, at least to any extent, but which often found growing in vacant spaces in the fields, uently, from a chance scattering of the seed, have a e for some purposes which should entitle them to e attention. I allude to the Holcas bicolor, Guinea 1, or Chicken Corn, as it is variously termed, and the d species, the Broom Corn, and another kind known ne only as the "Hebron Corn." These all resemble maize in the stalk and blade, growing equally as 1, , the stem more slender and of a tougher and more y character. The grain is produced on large heads, The extremity of the stalks.

he first two species are too common and well known
equire further description; the latter, or "Hebron
," grows in a compact and heavy cluster, the stalk
erally curving downward a few inches below the
1, which grows to maturity in an inverted position;
grains in each head are very numerous, and more
double the size of those of either of the other
ies.

hese all afford a valuable grain for young poultry;
their chief value consists in shading and fertilizing
land, and more especially for stopping washes and
eys in the fields, which is done very effectually by
matted roots, and for which purpose it is coming to
he practice of many planters to strew the seed of
Guinea corn about the ends of the turn-rows and
ls of hollows, a usage much to be commended.
f rice, the census returns give about 2,700,000
nds, as the crop of Mississippi in 1849. It is very

oun

well

My be

hich Fields,

are a

m to -uinea

ad the nown

semble

ally as

more

heads,

generally cultivated in the southeastern counties, ra however, beyond an acre or two on a farm, alth there are some plantations of considerable extent, a the tide-waters of the gulf, one of which was obse on Back Bay, a few miles in the rear of Mississ City.

The Upland variety is chiefly cultivated, and i some cases partially irrigated.

It is principally cleaned by pounding by hand. mill was met with, however, in Marion County, w both the hulling and winnowing were very effect performed by water-power, on a scale adequate to wants of a considerable neighborhood. The flavo the newly-prepared rice met with in those counti much richer and sweeter than that which we ordin purchase.

SUGAR-CANE.

The sugar-cane is cultivated to a limited exter some portions of the State. By the census retur appears that the crop of 1849 was equal to 388 1 heads, and about 18,000 gallons of molasses.

Molasses has been made as far north as lati 33° 40′ north, in Chickasaw County, where an ex ment of three years has encouraged the belief that s can be profitably produced there to the extent of local demand.

Sugar has also been made in Hinds County on a s scale for experiment, and small patches of the can come more common as we approach the sea-shore.

East of Pearl River, and south of Covington Co many of the most substantial planters make all the

1 molasses required for their own use, and some to re to their neighbors.

The cane is obviously becoming gradually acclimated,
1 may at no distant period be grown advantageously
oughout the greater portion of the State, for home
sumption.

The sugar-mills are, of course, rude, and of small
mensions, consisting, in fact, of little more than the
ers for grinding the cane, which are made of seasoned
timber, and stand generally in the open air; a com-
n shed suffices for a protection of the kettles, which
common iron ones, such as are used for stock.
There are two of these mills in Pike County, and as
my in Amite, where molasses has been made. In
rion County there are some eighteen or twenty, and
eral in Perry.

Should the ravages of the army worm and the rot
tinue to increase, and the present price of cotton not
maintained, the period is not remote, perhaps, when
cane will, to considerable extent, supersede the culti-
ion of cotton on the river plantations as high up as
tchez or Vicksburg.

1

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in

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ta

T th no

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cy

re

SWEET POTATO-BATATUS EDULIS.

The esteem in which the sweet potato is held may estimated by the extent to which it is produced, 42,000 bushels, worth more than two millions and a urter of dollars, being the crop of Mississippi of 1849. In the production of this esculent, Mississippi ranks rth among the States of the Union; Georgia, North colina, and Alabama only excelling her.

Five varieties are cultivated with us, which will be

rie

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th

se

ma

in

me to

mated,

ously

home

small

in the asoned

a com

which

and as

de. In ty, and

the rot ton not s, when

he culti

1 up as

ld may

roduced,

is and a of 1849. i ranks 3, North

will be

mentioned in the order of their excellence, as gene estimated. First in quality, as in extent of cultiva stands the Yam, which, if surpassed by some in av size, is approached by but one in delicacy of flavor. shape is oval or roundish, with a smooth exterior, yellowish tint. It is as prolific as any other, and 1 remarkably well.

The next in place is the Spanish, or White potat is long and crooked, with large veins or nerves run lengthwise on the exterior, by which it is universally racterized. Another characteristic, which distingu it from all others, is an aptitude of the flesh, or me I may so designate it, when cooked, to divide or sep: in layers or flakes lengthwise, the fibre at the same being destitute of any stringy property.

Early in the season, it is rather too milky to sui taste of many, but when thoroughly cured, it bec very sweet and rich, differing somewhat in flavor the yam. It grows to a large size, and, singularly eno notwithstanding its excellence, it seems to be gre neglected of late, and is not now often met with.

The Bermuda potato has a deep crimson or pu skin; but the interior is very white. In form, it is cylindrical than the yam, somewhat elongated, an regarded by some as the largest and most prolific riety. Its flavor, however, is coarse and flat.

The Red is the earliest variety introduced here. was formerly very generally cultivated; it is inferi the foregoing in size, and not now very much in use It is rather dry and mealy, and is best early in season, when newly dug, and it is perhaps the earlie

mature.

The Poplar Root, which somewhat resembles the in outward appearance, but not generally so round,

mooth skin, and the color rather a deeper yellow, was roduced ten or fifteen years since with high comndations. It proved a watery, insipid kind, however, is now generally banished.

Up to the period of 1810 or 1815, the yam potato s rarely seen; the old red and white Spanish being ogether cultivated—the former much the most extenely.

The Bermuda is the most recent introduction.

All the varieties of the sweet potato succeed best in Loose sandy soil, although the yam is said to flourish the prairies of the eastern counties. I have seen one that variety raised near Macon, which weighed ten unds.

The proper time for planting is about the first of April,

the most approved mode of raising the yam is to
ead the small roots or potato plantings on a rich bed
out the first of March, covering them with three or
r inches of loose rich soil. When the sprouts make
ir appearance above the surface, they are drawn and
out in newly-made ridges after or during a rain.
These beds continue to throw out a succession of
outs, which may be planted every favorable season as
e as the first of August, and if well worked, and the
ather be not too dry, will make good potatoes. It is
d the red potato does not succeed so well when planted
this way.

At some seasons, the sweet potato is sufficiently
tured for early use by the first of September; but it
attended with great waste to commence on them so
n, as it is thought the tubers grow more in October,
er the vine begins to decline than before.
The best time for digging potatoes is the first good dry

d weather succeeding the first frost that kills the

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