The best manures for plants are hen-house and chaff manure. This latter we make by littering our horse stalls with chaff and feeding on provender perfectly free from grassseed. When it becomes saturated with the liquids of the stable we apply it as a topdressing in the latter part of February, covering the beds, say one-fourth of an inch thick. Hen-house manure should be chopped in at the time of burning. Our experiments with guano on plants have not been very extensive or accurate; they, however, lead us to fear that this manure cannot be depended upon. Any other strong well rotted manure, free from grass-seed, may be used. Plant beds should be burned as soon after Christmas as the weather and condition of the land will admit. It is difficult to convey an idea of what amount of burning is necessary. If it be done in the month of January it is almost impossible, the land being in proper condition, to burn too hard. We have, however, known this to happen at a later period. So much depends upon the condition of the land and the character of wood used, that every planter must be his own judge as to the amount of burning necessary-of course it must be suffi cient to destroy the grass-seed and roots which are near the surface of the bed. Our plan is to lay down skids of hickory or oak (green) about the size of a man's arm, and pile thereon a layer of wood about four feet wide, set fire and burn until the skids are consumed; then move the fires to the next section (taking care to leave no belts of unburned land between the sections,) and so proceed until the entire ed has been covered. We prefer this to the hode sometimes adopted of covering and rning the entire bed at one time, as we beve it can be done more regularly by moving fires. As soon as the bed cools off sufficiently p it up with grubbing hoes until the soil is ced to a fine tilth, removing all roots, &c. taking care not to chop below the mould face soil-then rake until you level the e. If this be as early as January, sow If an even table-spoonful of seed to one d square yards, mixing it with plaster, or sand to facilitate evenness of sowing, ad in with the foot. Then about the February sow another half spoonful, ad in as before: or if it be as late as h of February sow the whole spoonful . When the bed is sown as directed, id be covered with fine, straight brush, on as to protect against frost while it some sunshine to strike the bed. This aay be left on dry beds until the plants arge as a dollar, aud upon wet ones ey are half that size. If it be necesforce plants, plaster may be used. Of at is indispensable that the bed should ased of grass, weeds, &c. whenever pear. It is good policy to edge plant ih mustard as a protection against fly. w of no other remedy, and this is only partial. Never burn two successive years in the same neighborhood, as the fly deposited about the old bed is almost sure to destroy the new one. It is well to destroy, by burning, all the foul growth around the bed, as this is often a harbor for fly during the winter. It is, perhaps, hardly necessary to say that ditches should be opened around plant beds to prevent any flow of water over them. Preparation of Soil.-The land selected for tobacco should depend somewhat upon the prospective price of the article. If we have reason to suppose it will command a high price, we pitch the crop upon our best lands, and either increase the number of hills, or at any rate, by applying the manure to rich land, increase the weight of the plants. But if we apprehend low prices we put it on poor land, and find the enrichment of the land no inconsiderable part of the profits on the crop. But of this we will have more to say hereafter. We like to break up tobacco land early, particularly red land, so as to let it be thoroughly pulverized by the action of the winter's frost. If possible, we would like to do this when the weather is just above the freezing point, in order to destroy the insect deposit in the soil, and with the same end in view, to harrow in the cold weather of February. We plough with a three-horse plough followed by a subsoil coulter. During March, April and May, haul out and scatter the manure intended for the crop-sow one bushel plaster per acre, and plough in with a one or two-horse plough.Such red land as has no sand in it, after the first ploughing, should not be ploughed the second time, except with a coulier or shovel, so as to break it to the proper depth, without turning under the pulverized soil on the surface. For this purpose a coulter is to be preferred. When the land is properly reduced by harrowing, lay off with a shovel plough three feet four inches each way, and throw up a large hill. This hilling should, if possible, be done early, while there is season in the land, so as to be ready to receive the plant when the time for planting arrives. This brings us to the end of the subject embraced in our first division, which we beg leave, with an apology for the imperfect manner in which it is gotten up, respectfully to submit. Your friends, Ivy Creek, Albemarle. WILLIAM GARTH, R. W. N. NOLAND. PRESERVING WILD FOWL.-Remove the intestines carefully, and wipe out all the blood with an old soft towel, until the flesh is quite dry; then dust flour over the inside, and scatter two or three drops of creosote upon a piece of blotting paper, and put that in and tie the bird up tight in another piece of similar paper, upon which put a few drops more creosote; then hang up each carcass separate, in a cool, dry place, and it will keep sweet for a long time. Never remove the feathers from a bird you wish to preserve.-Germantown Telegraph. For the Southern Planter. Mr. Editor-Confined to the house by a bad cold, I am forcibly reminded of the promise I made to furnish you my notions of hollow horn in cattle. It might have been better to consult Youatt, or Skinner, if either of them has written on the subject, but I failed to find their books, and I must leave it to you to judge whether I have only repeated what they teach, or have misapprehended what I profess to have observed, when my speculations come to be compared with those masters. I enumerate the facts of one case, as recorded at the time. 1839, Aug. 6. Lost a very fine cow of what was said to be hollow horn. Had a calf seven weeks before, while very fat; gave great quantity of milk; was observed after a few days to be feverish, indicated by hair turned back, looking rough, low of appetite, and speedy loss of cud. Held head straight out, tossing it up and down and from one side to the other, a symptom which increased in time, though it occurred quite early in the case. More or less discharge from the nose, at first of only mucus; in process of time it was pus. Had sore bag, and very much distended, so that I thought the symptoms were due to milk abscess, or inflammation of bag. The cow doctors consulted, laid it upon loss of cud, and at first were confident of restoring the cud and so curing the cow. All the remedies were resorted to: drenched with vinegar and salt; ball of corn meal with pepper, salt and vinegar; balls of raw beef, whole herrings thrust down the throat. Frogs were alone omitted, of all the remedies we knew. Coincidently I had the horns bored, and one sawed off. Nothing issued but a fluid like white of egg and some flakes of pus. The former I took to be incipient pus or coagulable lymph. Seemed to suffer much pain somewhere, but could not tell where. Gradually became excessively poor, and died in about five weeks from attack. After death examined head. Crest between horns perfectly hollow; all the little divisions and offshoots of bone which usually are found in the cavity, were removed in greater or less degree, and there were only the white-of-egglooking matter and pus. The horns also entirely hollow, one of them filled with nearly a pint of the lymphy and purulent matter. The cavity extended to the orbit of eye, thence communicating with the nostrils, especially on one side. The brain, which lies in very near contact with this cavity of the crest, (which we had as well call the "frontal sinus,") was softened and fallen, in one hemisphere, into a thick mush; a small part only of this half was of healthy consistency, preserving its form or vessels entire. The other half (hemisphere) was not softened, but the vessels were very full of blood and the membranes exhibited signs of intense inflammation. No other region or organs examined. Remark-Some persons have supposed hollow horn to be a matter of fancy, and not rerefutes the idea. ally to exist. This case, as far as it goes, Hollow horn usually occurs in cattle while very poor, in the winter or in early spring, This case shows it occurring in the summer, when just coming out of winter quarters.and in a very fat cow. The cow lost her cud. A very rude notion holds as to this fact. It is no more, I presume, than such an impairment of the health of the digestive function, as deprives the cow of the Power to throw up from the stomach the food which requires a chewing over prior to its being sent on upon its route through the intestines. affects the appetite and digestion. If the It may, therefore, arise from any disease which cause happen to reside in the stomach itself, or in the nervous influences controlling the regurgitating faculty, the stimulant boluses would seem somewhat calculated to restore the power. Why a herring or a frog alone can do it, is absolutely unintelligible, and as I have never seen the "cud restored" by any of these means, though I have witnessed their use very often, I withhold, as yet, a belief in their efficacy. The crest in the cow answers to the frontal sinus in the human, and its diseases probably resemble those of that cavity. A bad cold affects the lining membrane of the nose, or it may at once reach that of the frontal sinus, immediately connected with the nasal passages, producing, there, inflammation which may result in various degrees of mischief, from simple pain, to be relieved by remedies, to suppuration and death. tracted in bad weather, and most often when We may suppose that the disease is conthe body is debilitated. "Cold," as it is called, is taken, and, as in men, symptoms of catarrh arise; running from the nostrils, and sometimes even cough; then signs of a local inflammation about the head, tossing it, holding it straight out, first one side, then the other, loss of appetite, loss of cud, or, as it really is, severe indigestion, with loss of regurgitating faculty. After a while pus is found to flow with the mucus from the nostrils; or, if the horns are bored, pus and coagulable lymph issue. Various washes being injected into the horn, and thence into the contiguous cavity where the inflammation started, cause the fluid pus to be discharged, and may, at a certain stage of progress, help the diseased membrane to regain health. As the inflammation of the sinus advances, the brain, by contiguous sympathy, becomes involved, and then, probably, death seldom fails to ensue. Cows certainly recover after pus has been discharged from the horn and nose. In such case the inflammation may not have reached the brain, and simply conducting the matter off, gives the usual impulse to the membrane of the cavity to heal. The brain does not necessarily take on disease, though it is in such near vicinity to the seat of the inflammation. When it does, I suppose it is usually mortal. Dry hollow horn is spoken of. I know nothing of its phenomena. Is it so called when, on boring the horn, no fluid issues, or when the horn, on being sawed off, is found hollow, yet holding no fluid? Treatment.-This I predicate more upon general principles than upon experience. It will seem proper, if the explanation of its nature and seat be correct, to bleed freely, (best from the nostrils) unless the cow's low condition forbid. Then purge with Glauber salts, one or two pounds at a dose. Bore the horns with onequarter inch gimlet, in such dependent point that the contents will flow out. Bore it close to the head (one and a half or two inches off,) so that, although when you do it, only blood may flow, the aperture will be ready to discharge the pus when it is formed. If the flow seems not to be free enough, the horn may be sawed off. I know no other reason for doing this. Apply a large poultice of mullein leaves boiled and mashed up with bran, just over the crest, wrapping the whole top of the head. Change it three times a day, or oftener, having first sheared the hair close. To Restore the Cud.-Boluses of one-half pint corn meal dough and an even table-spoonful cayenne pepper, thrust down the throat two or three times a day. Or one-half pound raw beef balled up with salt and pepper, to make it hot. Herrings, frogs, &c. are advised; those who will, can try them. A drench of red-oak bark tea and wild cherry bark tea, and red pepper tea may do good; but doubtless the safest reliance will be upon trying to cure the disease of the head. The cud will come when health is restored. CHS. MINOR. Charlottesville, Nov. 19, 1851. For the Southern Planter. FARMING IN SURRY. Mr. Editor,-In the October number of the Southern Planter there is a communication from the Hon. W. Newton on the Improvement of Worn Out Lands in Virginia by Guano and Lime, which seems to have attracted general attention. Mr. Newton informs us that the first crop of wheat sowed was a total failure, not worth threshing, and was used as litter for stables, but the seventh and last crop, by the application of lime and guano, yielded over twenty bushels of wheat for one throughout the entire crop. This was certainly doing very well, and we are much indebted to Mr. Newton for his handsome communication setting forth the facts, as it will have a tendency to stimulate us to renewed exertions in improving our farms. My purpose now is to tell you, Mr. Editor, in as concise a manner as possible, what was done the last season in this county in raising wheat. But I confess I can't give altogether such cheering news as Mr. Newton has done, because, perhaps, we are not only less skilful as cultivators of the soil, but also less generous in the application of manures. Yet we are not entirely idle, and you will see that as we are on the right track, a little more perseverance and industry will enable us to almost equal Mr. Newton. Two of my neighbors, Mr. W. Ruffin and Mr. J. W. Watkins, made this year, the former twelve bushels of wheat for one and the latter fourteen for one through their entire crops. These farms before they were marled would hardly have made more than three, certainly not more than four for one, and the above gratifying result was achieved almost solely by the agency of marl (fossil shells,) for no guano or other bought manure was used at all on either farm. Mr. Watkins cultivates his farm on the three shift, strictly non-grazing system. Mr. R. is just throwing his farm into five fields-grazes moderately. This is much the better wheat farm of the two. Now, if our farms will yield twelve and fourteen bushels for one under the three shift system, what may we not expect when we have more enlarged views of agriculture adopt a more enlightened and scientific system of cultivation, namely, the five or six field rotation with all the advantages and benefits of clover and pea fallows? Surry, Nov. 15, 1851. J.... For the Southern Planter. A FARM ON THE LOWER JAMES RIVER, IN CHARLES To the Hole and Corner Club, No. 1, Prince George County: The committee appointed to report on this farm, take great pleasure in performing the duty assigned them. The Island is an alluvial formation, of course ancient in its character-being high and requiring little labor to drain it. Originally very fertile, it had shared the fate of all other lands before the spirit of improvement had dawned upon Virginia's sons. So low had this fine shovel plough is used previous to the second ploughing, running in the furrows made by the plough during the first working, and intended to loosen the earth around and below the roots of the young plants. After these several ploughings are finished, harrows or and hoes again follow to complete the operation and destroy any grass or weeds left by the ploughs or cultivators. This seems, judging from the clean condition of the field now in corn (about the first of August,) to be sufficient work to make as good a crop of corn as any other mode which could be adopted; the corn at that time looking well, although a rather dry season. estate become, that a few years ago, with a large force, scarcely enough corn was made to feed the laborers and teams engaged in till ing the farm, and a few hundred bushels of wheat for sale, were all which could be made under the management then prevailing. Now, under an improving system, with compara-cultivators are used to level down the beds, tively few hands, luxuriant crops of corn and wheat are made, and the fields present an unvaried appearance, teeming with vegetable life. Before improvement had taken place galls were seen on every knoll on the farm, level as it is. Now there are no naked places to mark the effects of the spoiler's hand; galls have been healed and nothing offensive is seen to mar the beauty of the aspect as the eye wanders over the landscape. The Island contains about four hundred acres of arable land. Mulatto soil, sufficiently stiff, but clay preponderating; subsoil of the same character, differing only in being stiffer. The farm is laid off in five fields of eighty acres each, with a road from the landing, running north and south, dividing the fields and parts of each shift, the division of fields being east and west; thus the crops are all convenient to the road, which passes through the farm-lot on which stand the buildings receiving the produce made on the farm. There has been commenced a hedge of Osage orange to divide two adjacent fields, and now in the second year of its growth. So far this hedge is looking well, and it is tended to continue the planting of hedges, should the present experiment succeed, around each field until all the fields are protected by a line fence. The fallow for wheat is commenced as soon as the last crop is threshed and delivered, (say 1st of August.) Here is seen one of the neatest operations on the farm. The clover and rank weeds are run over by a harrow drawn by four stout oxen, combing down the growth of clover, weeds and grass and rendering a chain before the plough unnecessary. A four-horse plough is used for fallowing, which does the work in good style, followed by hoes to level down any accumulations of clover or weeds and fill up any holes left by the ploughs, should any part of the sod fail to fall over, then follows the roller to press down the earth and close up the furrows. The corn land intended for wheat, is likewise ploughed with four-horse in-ploughs, three corn rows forming the bed for wheat. Of course, all land intended for wheat is harrowed before sowing and the seed harrowed in-the harrows running over the land until the surface is made smooth and put into Rotation of Crops.-First year, corn; second good condition. One and a half bushels of year, wheat; third, clover; fourth, clover, fal-seed are sown per acre, generally Purple Straw, lowed for fifth, wheat; to be followed by corn at the beginning of a second series of crops. The preparation and cultivation of the corn crop do not materially differ from the practice prevailing on most farms which are judiciously No fodder is gathered from the corn on this managed. The difference consists in fallow-farm, but tops are cut, which, with clover hay, ing the land intended for corn with a four-horse furnish ample long food for the teams. Owing plough, and using double ploughs in the culti-to this cause, sowing wheat is begun and vation of the crop. The fifteen feet beds farmed for the previous wheat crop, with a plough drawn by four mules, are reversed with a plough of the same size; the land is harrowed at the proper time, and laid off in rows five feet apart. Planting is commenced by the 25th of March-sometimes earlier, but not later than the 10th of April. The seed is dropped at intervals of twelve to fifteen inches in the step, one stalk being left in the hill when thinned out. The earth is thrown from the plants with a two-horse mouldboard plough, the bar running next to the corn, and two fur-from the land under this system. rows to the row. The hoes follow the first ploughing, cleansing the step of grass and weeds. but this fall it is intended to sow mostly the Blue Stem-a variety of white wheat which yielded nearly forty bushels per acre on the "Island" this year. finished sooner here than on farms where this practice prevails. Cloverseed are sown on land seeded down in wheat as early in February as practicable. As no fodder is pulled, clover is cut and made into hay, for the use of the teams. This, on a five field rotation, is not objectionable: in fact, it is doubted by some good farmers if any injury is sustained by so doing under the four field system. Be this as it may, here the Club will see the practical fact of land yearly improving and clover cut, being an additional crop taken Present Amount of Crops.-It has been stated that some few years ago, under an injudicious and exhausting system, very little corn and a Immediately after the first ploughing is com- few hundred bushels of wheat were made. pleted the mould board ploughs are again used The present year there have been sold and rethrowing the earth to the corn and breaking tained for seed about 3,200 bushels of wheat up the entire row. Sometimes the double-from 169 acres of land, or nearly 20 bushels per acre. The usual amount of corn will reach forty bushels per acre, being 3,200 bushels from eighty acres. Your committee believe that amount will be the minimum of the present crop of corn. Means of Improvement.-Marl from the "Hundreds" farm has been applied at the rate of two hundred and fifty bushels per acre. Half that quantity is now being applied as a second dressing, and your body saw the evident improvement resulting from the second application, as evinced by the more luxuriant and greener appearance of the vegetable growth where thus applied. Putrescent manures are largely applied to the land. These are obtained by moving large quantities of straw, corn-stalks, &c. with dung obtained from the stables and such additions as are made by other stock when put on the farm lot. In addition to which may be enumerated land improved by summer stock-pens, all the offal of the wheat crop, husks and refused clover-hay. Some of all these materials are passed through the farm-lot, and more or less trod by mules and cattle, undergoing some fermentation before being carried out and applied as topdressing to clover. Such is the situation of this farm, that no extraneous matter can be used for litter; neither is it wanted, for manual labor cannot be spared from the ordinary operations of the farm to collect material for manure, even could it be hauled in, when so much has to be carried out; first, from the lot in a state of decomposition; and in the next place, from the stack, where the straw has been kept sound until the time of its application. Stock. This farm has little stock on it, owing partly to the fact, that many cattle have died from disease. What stock passed in review before your committee were in fine condition. The oxen then under the yoke were fat enough to suit the palate of an English alderman! may-hap, the Lord Mayor of London himself!! Your committee saw about ten oxen and twelve or fifteen milch cows and smaller cattle. These are of the common breed of the country, crossed by an improved bull. Your committee were much pleased with a flock of sheep, consisting of some forty or fifty, in fine condition and of large size. These consist of Bakewell ewes crossed by a Reybold ram. Hogs are now being raised, and a good many were seen of different sizeamong them several very fine sows and a large boar. They were fat, and bid fair to give a good yield of flesh at the proper time for killing. All the stocks are under the control of a small boy or two, who keep them in proper bounds. They are grazed during the spring, summer and fall, and kept up during the winter months. The keep consists of the offal of the farm during cold weather, and suffered to graze at pleasure when a good bite of clover and grass can be had at other seasons of the year. Good and sufficient shelter is provided them when needed. Horses and Mules.-The work is done on this farm by eight mules. One horse is kept for the use of the overseer. These were all fat-an unusual thing on most farms during this season of the year. There are fifteen field hands, eight mules and one horse, and oxen, which comprise the whole force on the farm. The usual agricultural tools now to be had, of the best kinds, are used on the farm. Your committee noticed an improved M'Cormick's plough, obtained of Mr. Robert B. Bolling of Petersburg, who has had them in use on his Sandy Point estate for some time. The improvement consists of a block of wood resting on the top of the mouldboard, between it and the beam, fitted to each and curved at bottom so as to correspond with the curved mouldboard, by which the beam of the plough is raised to prevent clogging. This plough was doing good work during the visit of the Club, and the extended use of it would facilitate the great labor of a summer fallow. Smith's Chain-Band Horse-Power and Parker's Drum are used for threshing wheat. Your committee do not think it necessary to go more into detail, and will merely remark, that when the Club reflects upon the greatly improved condition of this farm-the total absence of any attempt at display-the combination of every thing useful, yet economy manifested in every department of labor; the neat appearance of the farm and servants' dwellings; the improved health of the laborers and comfort derived from improved houses; the fine condition of the stock of every kindall these things, combined with the manifest care in having every thing well done and at the proper time, show, on the part of Dr. Epes' friend, Col. James S. Gilliam, a well balanced and discriminating mind, so necessary in a profession requiring forethought to conceive and energy and determination to successfully carry out the many operations of agriculture. The report here presented may be applicable to "Hundreds" farm also; but having seen this farm during a hasty visit, your committee will only say, as far as seen, it showed conclusive evidence of good management and great improvement-the style of management well agreeing with that of the "Island." They will conclude this report by the expression of a hope, that when he returns, the owner of these farms, now in Europe, will devote his time and attention to them in such manner as to complete the good work-a work which his own interest, as well as the cause, alike demands of him. Respectfully submitted, Com. A potato gathering machine is in operation in New Hampshire. It is attached to a wagon. The wagon is placed at one end of the potato field, with oxen or horses attached, and as it |