stood. PRICES CURRENT. ARTICLES. Havana,. COTTON, Louisiana, &c. An advance of 1 cent FEATHERS, Live, WHOLESALE. RETAIL. per. from Ib. to from to 7 11 33 34 40 50 18 19 22 25 15 17 FLOUR, Superfine, city, bbl. 4 62 4 75 5 50 6 25 than is experienced after a few loads in using the may mention our own practice, in reference to the FIELD SPORTS.-It gives us pleasure to intimate to the lovers of field sports, that we have reason to feel assured that the appropriation of a small portion of the Farmer to their use and amusement, though condemned by a few, is, upon the whole, approved and encouraged. There is, in a word, a decided and growing taste for such amusements, and There was lately published in an Ohio paper, for discussions calculated to enhance the pleasures which has been mislaid, an article on the culture, of those healthful diversions that necessarily con- &c. of tobacco, from a gentleman in Baltimore to We should be glad to have duct gentlemen from the bar-room and the gaming friend in that state. table into the open air and over the fields; where the paper containing it, that we might republish the article, though so much has been said on that subject in previous volumes; as we have many new subscribers in Ohio lately, who desire information on the subject. To the Representatives from Ohio, we shall send, for distribution, the seed of the bright The huntsman ever gay, robust and bold, CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER. a 4 4 25 Do. Country lb. Turpentine, Soft, do. 328སྐྱུ 9 188850 76 7 2 25 200 2 12 gal. 30 401 50 70 88 1 00 975 10 00 ton. 600 6 12 lb. 3 3 lb. 20 Brown, do. Brown, SALT, St. Ubes, lb. 10 10 50 2 50 3 00 3 50 1 20 1 30 2 00 4 115 125 150 1 75 His drooping head, and cheer his heart with joy." It is, however, as we trust, well understood, that we would not inculcate a fondness for rural sports yellow tobacco. to an extent that would involve the neglect of any man's cardinal duties and pursuits. They cannot be TOBACCO.-Inspections in the three state waretoo little estimated, who, whatever may be their for- houses for the month of January, 83 hhds. tunes, can pass their lives in listless idleness; doing nothing to benefit society, or to add to the stock of hu man comforts or human knowledge; lounging drones, On Sheep, opinions of practical Farmers on Southnati consumere fruges; but on the other hand, we hold down sheep, and the value of Yolk in wool-Proceedthat the greater the industry, and the more constant ings of the Pennsylvania Agricultural Society-Night the application of our faculties to useful business, Soil, its preparation, use and value in Agriculturethe greater the necessity for, and the benefit of re- Proceedings of the Philadelphia Society for promoting WOOL, Merino, full bl'd Ib. laxation and amusement. That the best bow, will Agriculture-Inquiry respecting Steam-mills-Cotton lose its elasticity if never unstrung, every boy can Planter, invented by Mr. C. Ford, of Virginia-Descripunderstand; and even scripture tells us, there is a tion and Engraving of Mr. F. H. Smith's Patent Cotton Planter and Cultivator-Cob-mills and Cob-meal-Histime for all things. The question in reference to amusements is, as to their kind and degree; and ory of Ancient and Modern Wines, by Alexander Hen-Printed every Friday, at $5 per annum, for JOHN S derson, M. D.-The Unnatural Mother, a Sermon by though it may savour of egotism, yet as it will prove Wm. Cobbett, concluded-The Field Dog-Woodcock, our sincerity, and better explain our meaning, we in answer to Scolopax on shot cartridges-Editorial. do. crossed,. Common, Country, Skinners' or Pulled, doz. 4 8 5 00 9 00 gal. 1 502 00 2 50' SKINNER, Editor, by JOHN D. Toy, corner of St. No. 47.-VOL. 7. AMERICAN FARMER-BALTIMORE, FEBRUARY 10, 1826. AGRICULTURE. ON BREEDING SHEEP, &c. 369 scarcely be believed, except by those who have seen ture, or perhaps defects will arise, which did not the animals thus improved. exist when the breed was in its natural state, unless An able exposition of the scientific principles and the greatest attention is paid to the selection of the practical deductions upon which their art has been individuals who are to breed together. founded, was made some years since by one of the We must observe the smallest tendency to immost eminent surgeons in Europe, the celebrated perfection in our stock, the moment it appears, so [Where the opinions of a writer are canvassed, Henry Cline, whose authority has been universally as to be able to counteract it, before it becomes a fair discussion requires that they should be well un-received, by practical men, except upon one point defect; as a rope-dancer, to preserve his equiliderstood by the party opposing them, and therefore-the injurious effect of breeding closely in. brium, must correct the balance, before it is gone we have extracted a letter from the Memoirs of the Sir John S. Sebright, at the instance of Sir Joseph too far, and then not by such a motion, as will inPennsylvania Agricultural Society, to shew that Banks, has published an excellent paper, which as cline it too much to the opposite side. Col. Powel has strenuously urged the adaptation of it exposes the error of Mr. Cline and evinces perparticular breeds to particular circumstances, cli- fect knowledge of the breeder's art, I have recentmates and soils. ly obtained from England, and have now the honour I am, with great respect, yours, &c. JOHN HARE POWEL. President of the Penn. Agricul. Society. Where the population is thin, and the consequent to present. The Art of Improving the Breeds of Domestic Ani- The breeder's success will depend entirely upon the degree in which he may happen to possess this particular talent. Regard should not only be paid to the qualities apparent in animals, selected for breeding, but to those which have prevailed in the race from which they are descended, as they will always show themselves, sooner or later, in the progeny: it is for this reason that we should not breed from an animal, what is called well bred; that is, descended from a however excellent, unless we can ascertain it to be race of ancestors, who have, through several generations, possessed, in a high degree, the properties which it is our object to obtain. that I can throw any light upon the art of improv-themselves; it is, therefore, a good precaution, to DEAR SIR,-I have not the presumption to think, The offspring of some animals is very unlike ing the breeds of domestic animals, which is now try the young males with a few females, the quality Powelton, 1824. so well understood in this country: but in obedience of whose produce has been already ascertained: by THE forms of the various breeds of British sheep, to your commands, I print these observations, to this means we shall know the sort of stock they get, are distinct, as the districts whence they take ther which I am sensible you have attached more value and the description of females to which they are names. The objects to be attained in Great Britain, than they deserve. the best adapted. and most parts of America, are a quick return in flesh, The attention which gentlemen of landed pro- If a breed cannot be improved, or even continued and fleece, with as little offal, as is compatible with perty have, of late years, paid to this subject, has in the degree of perfection at which it has already the due proportion of bone, indispensable for the been extremely beneficial to the country; not so arrived, but by breeding from individuals, so selecthealthful exercise of the animal, or the exertion ne- much by the improvements which they themselves ed as to correct each other's defects, and by a jucessary for the supply of its food. We find that have made, as by the encouragement which the dicious combination of their different properties, (a particular breeds, have been for ages retained in professional breeders have received from their pa- position, I believe, that will not be denied,) it folcertain parts of Europe, where the shape of the tronage and support, without which they could not lows that animals must degenerate, by being long animal, has been made conformable to the purposes, have carried the breeds of cattle and sheep, to the bred from the same family, without the intermixto the climate, to the food, and face of the country perfection which many of them have now attained ture of any other blood, or from being what is techupon which it has been reared. On the mountains They have, likewise, been the means of making nically called, bred in and in. of Scotland and Wales-on the bare chalk hills of the best breeds known in every part of the king- Mr. Bakewell, who certainly threw more light the southern and western parts of England, races dorn, and of transporting them to districts, where upon the art of breeding than any of his predecesof sheep have always been bred, which by the it is not probable they would have been introduced, sors, was the first, I believe, who asserted that a lightness of their carcasses and the activity of their but through their agency. cross was unnecessary, and that animals would not muscles are enabled to find sustenance, and by the The Duke of Bedford, Mr. Coke, and some few degenerate, by being bred in and in, which was at closeness of their fleeces, are fitted to endure the others, have not only been the liberal patrons of that time the received opinion. exposure which in mountainous regions, must al- the professional breeders, but have themselves made He said, you could but breed from the best. Of ways be met. In the rich vales of Leicestershire, great improvements in the breeds, to which their this there can be no doubt, but it is to be proved, and highly cultivated marshes of Lincolnshire, and attention has been directed. how long the same family, bred in and in, will conother counties in the North, families, the very op- The same success has not, in general, attended tinue to be the best. posite to these have been as carefully bred, possess- gentlemen in this pursuit: the best breeds, after No one can deny the ability of Mr. Bakewell, in the ing heavy carcasses, long wool, shorter legs, very having been obtained by them at a great expense, art of which he may fairly be said to have been the insmall bone, with the most sluggish dispositions, too frequently degenerate in their hands, from mis-ventor: but the mystery with which he is well known without either the desire, or the power to make management. They conceive, that, if they have to have carried on every part of his business, and exertion to obtain food. In the western parts of procured good males and good females, they have the various means which he employed to mislead America, where the population is thin and the con-done all that is necessary to establish and to con- the public, induce me not to give that weight to his sequent demand for flesh exceedingly small, atten- tinue a good breed; but this is by no means the assertions, which I should do to his real opinion, tion to the carcass of the sheep, has not been pro- case. could it have been ascertained. perly given. The value of its fleece is certainly the Were I to define what is called the art of breedMr. Meynel's fox-hounds are likewise quoted as more important object of regard, as the difficulty ing, I should say, that it consisted in the selection an instance of the success of this practice; but upon of transporting the wool, when manufactured into of males and females, intended to breed together, speaking to that gentleman upon the subject, I cloth, is so much diminished, by the condensed in reference to each other's merits and defects. found that he did not attach the meaning that I do, value of the commodity, that a market is found at It is not always by putting the best male to the to the term in and in. He said, that he frequently little cost. But it is to be apprehended, that disre-best female, that the best produce will be obtained; bred from the father and the daughter, and the mogard of shape and inattention to the rules of breed-for should they both have a tendency to the same ther and the son. This is not what I consider as ing, will eventually injure the constitution of the defect, although in ever so slight a degree, it will breeding in and in; for the daughter is only half of sheep, and materially affect the useful secretions, in general preponderate so much in the produce, as the same blood as the father, and will probably parand consequently the quality, and weight, of the to render it of little value. take, in a great degree, of the properties of the wool. This mistake has not been confined to those A breed of animals may be said to be improved, mother. parts of our country where the carcass can with when any desired quality has been increased by art. Mr. Meynel sometimes bred from brother and difficulty be sold, but may be traced in some large beyond what that quality was in the same breed, in sister: this is certainly what may be called a little Merino flocks in the neighbourhood of the great a state of nature: the swiftness of the race-horse, close; but should they both be very good, and, partowns. The extraordinary power, which the vigi the propensity to fatten in cattle, and the fine wool ticularly, should the same defects not predominate lanee, and science of some distinguished breeders in sheep, are improvements which have been made in both, but the perfections of the one promise to in England, have shown, in varying the forms, and in particular varieties of the species to which these correct in the produce the imperfections of the even in assigning, if the phrase may be used, de animals belong. What has been produced by art, other, I do not think it objectionable: much further finite properties, shapes, and even peculiar colours, must be continued by the same means, for the most than this, the system of breeding from the same fato whole families of neat cattle and sheep, can improved breeds will soon return to a state of na-mily cannot, in my opinion, be pursued with safety. No. 47.-VOL. 7. Mr. Bakewell had certainly the merit of destroy- the properties that are essential to the animals we and Ryeland ewes, not with a view of obtaining the ing the absurd prejudice which formerly prevailed breed. The Leicestershire sheep prove that too good properties of both kinds, but from the difficulagainst breeding from animals, between whom there much may be saerificed, even to that most desira-ty of procuring Spanish ewes, and with the intenwas any degree of relationship; had this opinion ble quality in grazing stock-a disposition to get tion of obtaining the Merino blood in sufficient pubeen universally acted upon, no one could have fat at an early age, and with a small quantity of rity, for every practical purpose, by repeatedly been said to be possessed of a particular breed, food. crossing the female produce with Merino males. good or bad; for the produce of one year would Many causes combine to prevent animals, in a I have no doubt but that better stock may be obhave been dissimilar to that of another, and we state of nature, from degenerating; they are perpe- tained, in a few years, in this manner, from a large should have availed ourselves but little of an ani- tually intermixing, and therefore do not feel the flock of well-chosen ewes, than by breeding, at mal of superior merit, that we might have had the bad effects of breeding in and in; the perfections first, from a small number of the pure Merino good fortune to possess. of some correct the imperfections of others, and blood, (and many of them cannot be obtained,) for they go on without any material alteration, except the great advantage to be derived from the means what arises from the effects of food and climate. of selection afforded by a more numerous flock, The greatest number of females will, of course, will more than compensate for the little stain of imfall to the share of the most vigorous males; and pure blood, which would be insensible in a flock, the strongest individuals of both sexes, by driving crossed in this manner, for four or five generations. away the weakest, will enjoy the best food, and the The introduction of Merino sheep to this country most favourable situations, for themselves and for opens a fine field for improvement: it has been their offspring. ascertained, that neither the sheep nor the wool The authorities of Mr. Bakewell, and of Mr. Meynel, being generally quoted, when this subject is discussed, I have stated, why I reject that of the former altogether, and that the latter, in point of fact, never fairly tried the experiment. I do not find that any of the many advocates for breeding in and in, with whom I have conversed, have tried it to any extent; they say, that it is to perfect animals only that the practice applies; but the existence of a perfect animal is an hypothesis I cannot admit. A severe winter, or a scarcity of food, by destroy-sustain any injury from the change of climate or ing the weak and the unhealthy, has all the good pasture; and the absurd prejudice, that Merino effects of the most skilful selection. In cold and wool could be grown only in Spain, is fortunately I do not believe that there ever did exist an ani- barren countries no animals can live to the age of eradicated. mal without some defect, in constitution, in form, or maturity, but those who have strong constitutions; In comparing the Merino sheep with the Southin some other essential quality; a tendency, at least, the weak and the unhealthy do not live to propa- downs, which are allowed to be the best of our to the same imperfection, generally prevails, in dif- gate their infirmities, as is too often the case with short-woolled breeds, the former have very much ferent degrees in the same family. By breeding in our domestic animals. To this I attribute the pe- the advantage, both as to quantity and quality of and in, this defect, however small it may be at first, culiar hardiness of the horses, cattle, and sheep, wool, but, I believe, the latter would produce by will increase in every succeeding generation; and bred in mountainous countries, more than to their far the greatest quantity of meat, from a given will, at last, predominate to such a degree, as to having been inured to the severity of the climate; quantity of food, which is the criterion by which render the breed of little value. Indeed, I have no for our domestic animals do not become more har- we determine the relative value of all animals as doubt but that by this practice being continued, dy by being exposed, when young, to cold and hun- grazier's stock. animals would, in course of time, degenerate to ger: animals so treated will not, when arrived at Taking the gross produce, both of wool and carsuch a degree, as to become incapable of breeding the age of maturity, endure so much hardship as cass, at the present prices, the Merino breed may at all. those who have been better kept in their infant perhaps be the most profitable, but should it be The effect of breeding in and in may be accele- state. generally introduced, fine wool would become cheaprated or retarded by selection, particularly in those If one male, and one female only, of a valuable er, and mutton dearer; it is therefore not easy to animals who produce many young ones at a time. breed, could be obtained, the offspring should be brm a conclusive opinion upon this subject. There may be families so nearly perfect as to go separated, and placed in situations as dissimilar as Great improvements may undoubtedly be made through several generations, without sustaining possible; for animals kept together are all subject-in the Merino breed, as to their disposition to get much injury, from having been bred in and in; but ed to the effects of the same climate, of the same fat. Their advocates say, with truth, that the Southa good judge would, upon examination, point out food, and of the same mode of treatment, and con- down sheep were but a few years ago as imperfect by what they must ultimately fail, as a mechanic sequently to the same diseases, particularly to such in shape as the Merino now are; but they should would discover the weakest part of a machine, be- as are infectious, which must accelerate the bad recollect, that a disposition to fatten at an early fore it gave way. effects of breeding in and in. Breeding in and in will, of course, have the same effect in strengthening the good, as the bad properties, and may be beneficial, if not carried too far, particularly in fixing any variety which may be thought valuable. By establishing the breed in different places, and by selecting, with a view to obtain different properties in these several colonies, we may perhaps be enabled to continue the breed for some time, without the intermixture of other blood. age was always the characteristic of the Southdown breed, even in its most unimproved state, and that it was from its possessing this very essential quality that so much attention has been paid to it. It is well known that a particular formation generally indicates a disposition to get fat, in all sorts of I have tried many experiments, by breeding in If the original male and female were of different animals; but this rule is not universal, for we someand in upon dogs, fowls and pigeons; the dogs be- families, by breeding from the mother and the son, times see animals of the most approved forms, who came, from strong spaniels, weak and diminutive and again from the male produce and the mother, are slow feeders, and whose flesh is of a bad qualilap-dogs; the fowls became long in the legs, small and from the father and the daughter in the same ty, which the graziers easily ascertain by the touch. in the body, and bad breeders. way, two families sufficiently distinct might be ob The disposition to get fat is more generally found There are a great many sorts of fancy-pigeons; tained: for the son is only half of the father's in some breeds than in others. The Scotch Higheach variety has some particular property, which blood, and the produce from the mother and the land cattle are remarkable for being almost all quick constitutes its supposed value, and which the ama- son will be six parts of the mother and two of the feeders, although many of them are defective in teurs increase as much as possible, both by breed- father. shape. The Welch cattle have but lit le disposiing in and in, and by selection, until the particular Although I believe the occasional intermixture of tion to get fat: not from being particularly ill-shapproperty is made to predominate to such a degree, different families to be necessary, I do not, by any ed, but because they are almost invariably what in some of the most refined sorts, that they cannot means, approve of mixing two distinct breeds, with the graziers call bad handlers. exist without the greatest care, and are incapable the view of uniting the valuable properties of both: We must not, therefore, suppose, that the bad shape of rearing their young, without the assistance of this experiment has been frequently tried by others of the Merino sheep is the sole cause of its being other pigeons. kept for that purpose. as well as by myself, but has, I believe, never suc-so ill calculated for the purpose of the grazier. The Leicestershire breeders of sheep have inhe-ceeded. The first cross frequently produces a tole- An observation which Dr Genner made to me rited the principles, as well as the stock of their rable animal, but it is a breed that cannot be con- about ten years ago, (the truth of which has since leader, Mr Bakewell. He very properly consider- tinued. been confirmed by my own experience-that no ed a propensity to get fat, as the first quality in an If it were possible, by a cross between the new animal whose chest was narrow could easily be animal, destined to be the food of man: his succes Leicestershire and Merino breeds of sheep, to pro-made fat,) applies particularly to the Merino sheep, sors have carried this principle too far; their stock duce an animal uniting the excellencies of both; who are in general contracted in that part, and is are become small in size, and tender, produce but that is, the carcass of the one with the fleece of the well worth the attention of those who wish to imlittle wool, and are bad breeders. other; even such an animal so produced would be prove this breed. By selecting animals for one property only, the of little value to the breeder; a race of the same Perhaps the great secretion of yolk, so essential to same effect will, in some degree, be produced, as description could not be perpetuated; and no de the production of fine wool, and which is excessive by breeding in and in: we shall obtain animals, with pendence could be placed upon the produce of such in the Merino sheep, may be incompatible with the the desired property in great perfection, but so de-animals; they would be mongrels, some like the fattening quality. ficient, in other respects, as to be upon the whole new Leicester, some like the Merino, and most of I have always found the fineness of the fleece in an unprofitable stock. them with the faults of both. exact proportion to the quantity of yolk it conWe should, therefore, endeavour to obtain all' Merino rams are frequently put to Southdown' tained. Those who are unaccustomed to examine wool, may consider this as a certain criterion of its quality: for although the hair of some dry fleeces may be fine, it will always want the elasticity which is so much valued by the manufacturer. Easton, July 11th, 1825. A greater proof, I conceive, of what may be ef- DEAR SIR, fected by selection and perseverance, cannot be ad- I have frequently observed in the course of conduced. versation with my agricultural friends, as I have There is, perhaps, no means by which the breeds done to you, that every farm in this county had reIt is to be regretted, that so little attention has of animals can be so rapidly, and so effectually im- sources within itself, which, if properly managed, been paid to the improvement of British wool, and proved, as by its being the particular business of would be sufficient to fertilize its soil, so as to make particularly to that of the short-woolled breeds: a some breeders to provide male animals for the pur- many blades of grass grow, where one would fine fleece is not only more profitable to the owner, pose of letting for hire. Our horses could never scarcely grow to perfection before; thus, according but from the closeness of its texture, and the quan- have arrived at the degree of perfection which they to the exalted sentiment of Dr. Swift, placing our tity of yolk it always contains, is a much better have now attained, but from the facility which has farmers above the greatest conquerors, whose glory protection to sheep in bad weather, than the open been afforded to every one, by the public stallions, consisted in destroying their fellow men, while that and hairy covering which too generally disgraces of breeding from the best horses of every descrip- of the farmer will ever be to provide for their subtion, at a moderate expense. sistence and comfort. our flocks. This extraordinary negligence in the sheep- The breeds of sheep to which this practice has Under these impressions, in looking around me, breeders may, in some degree, be accounted for, by been applied, have attained great perfection, while I could not think of a gentleman altogether equal the manner in which the wool-trade is carried on those which have never been attended to by per- to yourself in scientific knowledge and of the same The growers are seldom well acquainted with the sons in this particular business, show no signs of ardour, as well as public spirit, to undertake the invalue of this article, or indeed with its quality, and improvement. vestigation of a subject, which would be most likethe buyers find their account in fixing a general No trouble or expense will be spared by those ly to make our farmers more useful and of higher price every year, for the wool of each breed, with- who expect to derive profit, not from the quantity, character than the greatest conquerors of the earth. out making any distinction between the very difler- but from the quality of the animals which they Chemistry is so much connected with agriculture ent quality of the pile of different flocks. breed. The competition, which must always exist as well as the arts generally, that it may well be It is likewise the custom, in many parts of Eng- between breeders of this description, will be a ne- called its chief corner-stone, and if properly diland, for the growers to deliver their wool to the ver-failing stimulus to exertion. rected will have the happiest tendency to its imbuyers, upon their engaging to give them the high- The common farmer, who seldom sees any stock provement. Permit me to say, without any intenest price of the year: such bargains (and they are but his own and that of his neighbours, generally tion of flattering, that much is expected from you very general,) are of course strong inducements to concludes, that his own have arrived at the summit as an experimentalist as well as a theorist, on the the purchasers not to give the full value for any of perfection: but the breeder who lets for hire, subject of "burned clay," both as to the applicawool that may be offered to them of a superior must frequently submit his male animals to the in- tion as well as the modus operandi of this manure, quality. spection of the public, and to the criticism of his which may be manufactured on almost all the farms rivals; who will certainly not encourage any preju- of the Eastern Shore of Maryland. dices he may entertain of their superiority. General Beaston, as well as some of our modern In this trade, as in every other, there ought to be farmers, have made the matter of burning clay a a regular gradation; those, for example, who hire a very simple process indeed; and so it may be, when male for eighty guineas, will be amply repaid by properly understood; but until then, we shall be letting seven, or eight, for twenty guineas each, as constantly hearing first one and then another exwill those who hire for twenty guineas, by letting pressing doubts as to its efficacy as a manure. You several for five or six. know, and every body ought to know, there is a The fineness of the fleece, like every other property in animals of all kinds, may be improved by selection in breeding. The opinion, that good wool could only be produced in particular districts, is a prejudice which fortunately no longer exists. Climate, food, and soil, have certainly some effect upon the quality of wool, but not so much as is generally supposed. The fleece is affected by the degree of nourishment which the animal re- Thus each, besides the improvement of his stock, right and wrong way of doing almost every thing; ceives, not by the quality of the pasture on which will receive a fair remuneration, and every breeder if the right way should not be fallen upon in burnit is fed. If sheep are highly kept, their wool will have the means of selecting the male he thinks ing clay, the object will be almost entirely defeated, become less fine, but in other respects its quality best calculated for the females he may happen to and an end will be put to any further experiments will not be deteriorated. The wool of a starved possess. with such persons! sheep may be apparently fine, but it will be brittle, The same effect will not be produced by the sale As to the rationale of the modus operandi, it will of male animals; for we are induced to keep a male be of little consequence to the farmer, if he can and of little value to the manufacturer. A regular supply of food to the sheep is essential we have purchased at a high price, although we learn the art of burning the clay, and experience at to the growth of good wool; for that part of the may not be entirely satisfied with his produce, but all times its beneficial effects. But this alone will hair which grows when the animal is in a high by hiring, we endeavour to select a male every not satisfy the inquisitive mind, and one who is so state of flesh, will be thick, and that which is year, with the properties in which our females are capable as yourself of penetrating into the arcana grown when it is reduced by hunger, will be weak deficient, and whom we think calculated to correct of nature. I confess, I feel the same propensity, and thin; and consequently the thickness of hair the faults which arise from time to time in our stock though I may come short of the truth, and differ will always be irregular, if the animal passes from These observations are the result of many years with you as to the rationale of the modus operandi one extreme to the other. experience, in breeding animals of various descrip- of a manure, the efficacy of which I have expe The alteration which may be made in any breed tions; but the life of man is not long enough to rienced to my satisfaction. of animals by selection, can hardly be conceived by form very decisive conclusions upon a subject which You believe that clay to become a manure must those who have not paid some attention to this sub- is so little understood, and which is darkened by be burned in open kilns, and thus be oxydated; but ject; they attribute every improvement to a cross, innumerable prejudices. Many experiments must I, on the contrary, am of an opinion, that the clay when it is merely the effect of judicious selection. be tried, to establish a single fact; for Nature is must be carbonated in close kilns, in the same I have often been told, that from the beautiful sometimes so capricious in her productions, that the manner as wood is charred or carbonated. If open shape of Mr. Elman's Southdown sheep, they must most accurate observer will be frequently deceived, kilns are necessary to make an oxyde of the clay, have been crossed with the New Leicester; and if he draws any inference from a single experiment. there will soon be an end put to this expensive methat from the fineness of their wool, they must have I have freely stated my opinions, without consi-thod; but if it is to be burned in close kilns in the been crossed with the Merino breed; but I do not dering them as conclusive, and shall be much grati- same manner as common coal kilns, it will be no conceive, that even the skill of this very distinguish-fied if they induce others to direct their attention more expensive to burn five hundred loads than it ed breeder could have retained the good shape of to a subject which appears to me of great impor- would be to burn five, for when the clay is comthe former, without any appearance of the coarse-tance to the agricultural interests of this country.pletely ignited, it may be heaped on ad infinitum. ness of its wool or the fine fleece of the latter, I have the honour to be, dear sir, without the deformity of its carcass, had he crossWith great regard, ed his flock with either of these breeds. Your obed't humble servant, J. S. SEBRIGHT. Beechwood, August 1, 1809. BURNED CLAY. It may as well be contended, that the white pheasant, which has now become very common, was produced from a cross with a Dorking fowl, whereas it was one of those accidental varieties, which sometimes occur, and which has been perpetuated by selection. The same may be said of the endless [In a former number of this volume we published variety in the colour, shape, and size, of rabbits, a communication from Doctor Muse to Dr. Ennalls ducks, and pigeons, in a domesticated state; a Martin, on the subject of burned clay. The an variety produced by the art of man, and which swer of Doctor Martin has only now falien under did not exist in these creatures in their natural our observation in the Easton Gazette, from which state. Fit is copied as follows.] The great object is to exclude the air altogether as in a coal kiln. If the air is permitted to have access to the wood, it will soon burn down to ashes, and if the air comes in contact with the clay, it goes out and the process ceases. There is something mysterious in carbonating wood, and so of clay. It has been observed to me by blacksmiths and others who are in the practice of burning coal kilns, that green pine is equal, if not superior to any other wood. Now it is known that pine, and more especially its leaves, contin more oxygen, that is, the acidifying principle, than any other wood or its leaves; and I have observed, that wherever the pine-fallings, as they are called, that is, the leaves of the pine, have been deposited in any manufacturing establishment I have yet seen, On the wine cellars of the ancients Dr. Henderas a manure, the sorrel puts up in great abundance, I shall be greatly mistaken if the proper application son is very full and satisfactory; but here also we and where it did not grow before. Hence the ad- of what he has will not furnish him with the means could have wished that the Greek authors had been vantage of liming all such lands as those where of doing his work without any other aid. If he more consulted, if it had merely been to illustrate sorrel grows, and I would say, hence the advantage will, through the medium of your paper of the 17th, or contrast their modes with those of the Romans. of burning such lands, or putting on them "burned or by the post if he prefers it, return me an answer That a cool part of their houses was preferred for clay," to neutralize the acid in the soil. I am con- to the following queries, I can give him a tolerably keeping their wine in, appears from the instructions fident "burned clay" will be more beneficial on a correct idea of what improvement his present esta- given by Xenophon in his Economics, [cap 9;] in soil of stiff clay, than on a light sandy soil, though blishment is susceptible. this they agreed with the Romans. That wine was iny experiments on "burned clay," have been prin- 1st. What is the fall, in feet, of water by which kept in cellars, or rather in caves under ground, is cipally confined to a soil where sand predominates. his wheel is worked? proved by a passage in Xenophon's Anabasis, and Clay, taken from below the surface, say two feet, 2d. The height and width of the water wheel, more particularly by the scoliast on the Ecclesias and used in making bank fences, puts forth the first and the depth of the shrouding, and if it is an over- of Aristophanes. The former in his retreat arrived year an abundant crop of sorrel, and at once de- shot? at a rich plain, where they found such abundance monstrates that the clay had become a deutoxide, 3d. The number of revolutions the water-wheel of wine that the inhabitants kept it in cisterns lined that is, had acquired by attraction from the atmos- makes in a minute, when the stones are driven at with plaster naxxois xnviarois. This word naxxos phere a second dose of oxygen, besides what was their full working speed? If the number of revo-occurs in the play of Aristophanes alluded to [v. 154.] attached to it from the creation. A view of the lutions are counted for five successive minutes, and on it the scoliast remarks, that it was custosubject in this light demonstrates the absurdity of they will be ascertained the more correctly. mary for the Greeks and other nations to keep their voir consist? HORTICULTURE. The mode of applying the fumarium to the melW. PARKIN, Engineer.lowing of wines-borrowed from the Asiatics—is particularly and clearly described. Where the wine was of a strength and quality adapted to this practice, its effects were beneficial; but it was often used to force inferior wines. The inspissated wines of the ancients, Dr. Henderson seems to think, were. solely produced by the fumarium. We are, however, rather disposed to coincide with De Pauw in his opinion, that in the earliest ages of wine-making in Greece, nearly all the wine was inspissated. He From the Westminster Review-London. By Alexander Henderson, M. D. deep ploughing in every soil, and explains the 4th The number of hours which he can work wine and oil in caves or cisterns dug in the ground. reason why there ought to be an immediate appli- one pair of stones in 24, in ordinary dry seasons? Oil is occasionally kept by the Zantiotes in similar cation of a manure capable of neutralizing the acid 5th. Of how many acres does his dam, or reser-receptacles.t qualities of the earth, when the soil is ploughed in Before the amphora containing the stronger wines below a certain depth in some particular fields. I wish he would name the distance of his resi- were deposited in the fumurium, for the purpose of That carbon enters largely into every kind of dence from Washington city. bringing them to an early maturity, a label was put wood as a component part, is self-evident, from the For more than 30 years I have availed myself of on them indicating the vintage and the name of the circumstance of burning coal, as it is termed; and gaining a correct knowledge of the proper applica- contemporary consuls; to this there is frequent althat it is a manure of the first degree, when reduc- tion of water for moving machinery, and last year lusions in the classics, as those who were fond of ed to an impalpable powder, has been proved over sent an essay on the subject to the Franklin Insti- good old wine were very particular in examining and over again, but from the labour and expense tute, in Philadelphia, of which honourable mention the nota or label; frequent impositions, as might, of applying it to the earth to act as such, it must was made at their annual exhibition in October last. however, have been expected, were practised. necessarily be excluded; but not so with regard to I remain, yours, truly, carbonated clay-one stroke of the hoe or spade crumbles the largest lumps into dust, and makes it at once capable of mixing with the earth. Of all bodies in the world, carbon has the greatest attraction for oxygen, and makes carbonic acid gas when united. It is this gas which enters into the composition of vegetables by being applied to their roots, and becomes their chief food. Other elementary bodies have their share in perfecting trees and plants of every kind, but it is as plain as that two and two make four, that carbon is the principal inThe third chapter treats of the wine vessels and says, in the time of the poet Alcman, only one gredient in their composition, and hence it is, that wine cellars of the ancients. Skins of animals, ren- small canton of all Laconia produced wines not "burned clay" must and will be acknowledged dered impervious by oil or resinous gums, were the condensed by smoke or fire; and Aristotle, as quoamong the best and strongest manures. It is to be most ancient receptacles for wine after it was taken ted both by Dr. Henderson and De Pauw, seems hoped, since the subject has been commenced, that from the vat. To these there are frequent allusions to warrant this conclusion. Indeed, if inspissated ⚫ farmers will be more and more zealous in the cause in Homer, the Scriptures, &c. Then vessels of clay wines were an after mode of manufacture, it is not of improvement, and that experiments will be made with a coating of pitch were introduced; where easy to find any good reason why the ancients by other farmers, as well as yourself, and that every wood abounded, wine casks were of that material; erected statues to the person who first taught them source of improvement will be tried with the art of but, in general, the Greek and Romans used earth- to mix water with wine. The produce of the preburning clay; that farmers may feel their import-enware, the smaller made on the wheel, the larger ceding vintage was first tasted at a feast in honour ance more and more every year, and that they will formed on the ground in stoves; these were bound of Bacchus in the month of May, when the westerleave nothing untried to make themselves happy with hoops. Dr. Henderson next elucidates the ly winds had generally set in; this feast was called wealthy and wise. measures of capacity of the ancients as compared misorgia, or rather the first day of the feast, for it with those of the moderns. Athens was celebrated lasted three days. It seems to have been celebrated for their manufacture, "whence the representation much in the same manner as St. Martin's day was of an amphora upon certain of the attic coins." in this country formerly, and is still in Germany, [p. 49.] We may point out to him a curious pas &c., when the ale barrels are first tapped, with sage in Theophrastus, from which it appears that drinking, mirth, and song.§ We have already mensome of the wine measures at Athens in his time tioned one ancient trick as exactly resembling a were made of metal, and that those who wished to modern one. Dr. Henderson at the conclusion of cheat their slaves, or their customers, indented the this chapter brings additional proof that there is I have seen in your paper of the 3d, an inquiry bottom so as to diminish the capacity. The anno- nothing new, whether good or bad, under the sun. from Virginia, of the practicability of uniting pro- tator on this passage justly remarks, that the ves- "In order to allure customers, various tricks appear fitably steam power to a water mill, to make up the sels must have been made of tin or some other to have been practised by the ancient wine dealers; deficiency occasioned by drought. I am not suffi-yielding metal, otherwise the trick could not have Very respectfully, yours, &c. DR. JOSEPH E. MUSE. STEAM MILLS. Near Wilmington, Del., Feb. 4th, 1826. J. S. SKINNER, ciently conversant with the charges of erecting been played; and adds, "Simile artificium oinopolis + Oil is kept in wells many fathoms deep in the rocks steam engines in this country, nor the quantity of nostris in usu esse, etiam nos hodie aliquoties cum in Zante. Teonge's Diary, p. 70. wood which an engine of 8 horses power would re- nostro damno sentimus."* De Pauw on the Greeks, i. 137. Mr. Buckingham quire per day; but I am convinced, from what I The casks that contained the stronger wines were was treated at Adjeloon with wine cakes, which, he have witnessed in England, that could the inquirer generally ranged along the wine cellar, sunk in supposes resemble the inspissated wine of the ancients. ⚫btain the most economical steam apparatus to sup- sand; it is probable the piston was occasionally re- -Travels among the Arab Tribes, p. 137. ply his lack of water, that any thing like the regu- sorted to for the purpose of emptying the larger times, in England, may be seen in Forster's Perennial § The bailad, entitled Martilmasse Day, sung, in old lar profit he can make by the manufacture of flour tuns; the smaller were tilted on one side, as ap-Calendar, p. 627. A curious, but not very delicate, would not reimburse him the expense of fixing up pears from several passages in the classics. Rythmus in Latin, in praise of wine, sung in Germany and working. on the same day, probably in the monasteries of the sixUnless the gentleman making the inquiries has * Theophrast. Charact. cap. 11, p. 65. Edit. Simp- teenth century, is inserted in that most strange treatise, his water applied to better purposes than is done son. Oxon. 1738. De Generibus Ebriosorura. |