3G2 Correspondence of the Cincinnatus. [August 



in breadth, and in times of the highest floods, like that of 1842, has 

 been subject to overflow, but invariably benefitted by the sediment 

 left behind. This goes to prove the benefits always resulting from 

 irrigation and liquid manure. It is frequently the case that during 

 the months of July and August from one to three boats are engaged 

 at the farm-landing receiving from 1000 to 3000 barrels of potatoes 

 a week, for the down-river trade. In 1855 eighteen hundred bar- 

 rels of potatoes were grown on eighteen acres of ground, which were 

 all shipped by the owner to the New Orleans market and sold at 

 the highest prices. Every barrel has the brand of the grower upon 

 it, and those usually raised are of the best quality of meshannock. 

 The yield this season, though about two weeks later than usual, 

 it is believed will exceed all previous ones. 



The question is asked, why is it that after taking oflF a crop of 

 potatoes, and putting in cabbage-plants into the same ground directly, 

 the soil is always found in a better condition for the next crop ? Is 

 it from the protection the shade of the cabbage-leaf gives, or from 

 the roots drawing vitality from the sub-soil and depositing it upon 

 the surface, or is it from the atmosphere ? The best gardeners here 

 are in the habit of raising four crops of some kinds of vegetables 

 ofi' the same land in one season, and instead of wearing out, it act- 

 ually improves by careful attention and proper cultivation. 



FARM OP T. H. COLLINS, ESQ. 



This lies about two miles below New Albany. Previous to his 

 coming in possession of it about eight years ago, the "place" was 

 nearly ruined, and hardly paid for the labor bestowed upon it. As 

 a truly scientific and enterprising man he immediately turned up the 

 soil to the depth of a foot or more. Thus introduced to sun and 

 air it never had come in contact with before from mere surfice plow- 

 ing, the result was an increase of 100 per cent, in yield. So, too, his 

 land in the rear, hitherto submerged in water, is redeemed, disen- 

 thralled and made the most profitable. How? By a systematic 

 draining process. True, three miles of land drain cost him $4000 ; 

 but the many acres of arable land he gets for it returns him a profit 

 of four-fold, and that which was formerly " too wet even for the wild 

 grasses to flourish on, is now the most valuable and productive por- 

 tion of the farm." Mr. C. has seven main drains with cross drains 

 leading into them at distances of every 50 feet, and as a substitute 

 for drain tile machines has used the slate rock, found in the border 



