SOLON ROBINSON, 1846 21 



have known potatoes so kept at sea, much longer than any 

 other way. One voyage in particular I recollect, our decks 

 were often swept by the sea breaking over them, and 

 leaking down through the hatchway among the potatoes, 

 endangering them by the moisture. Who knows but pota- 

 toes might be kept thus from being affected in winter by 

 the rot? [We doubt whether sand-packing would pre- 

 serve them, but are confident fine charcoal dust would. 

 The latter would also be a much better preservative at 

 sea, as it is a great absorber of moisture.] Such articles 

 as these are among the most valuable of a work like the 

 Agriculturist, but the directions should always be very 

 plain and simple, and, above all, correct. 



Importation of Pure-bred Merino Sheep. — I am well 

 pleased that we have got one importation of pure Meri- 

 nos, about which there can be no dispute. It is pleasing 

 to see such a devotion of wealth to such a national object 

 of benefit to the cultivators of American soil, as this act 

 of Mr. Taintor,^ who is entitled to receive a meed of 

 praise from all the friends of agricultural improvement 

 in the country. It is a great pity that many other men of 

 wealth do not "occupy their leisure hours with as useful 

 a hobby." It is my opinion that this kind of fine-woolled 

 sheep, taking all things into consideration, are the very 

 best of any in the United States for profitable wool- 

 growing. Though, indeed, I entertain serious fears that, 

 under the new tariff, that branch of American industry 

 is destined to be prostrated. [We have no fears of the 

 kind. We will turn out American intelligence, industry, 

 and perseverance, in growing wool, against the whole 

 world, tariff or no tariff.] 



Patent Fence.- — I do abhor this disposition to patent 

 every new thought. In fact, this is not new. and is un- 



' John A. Taintor spent fifteen months in France, Spain, Saxony, 

 Prussia, and Austria examining sheep. He brought home four 

 Saxon bucks and four ewes and three Merino bucks and twenty- 

 three ewes. Avierican AgriculUirist, 5:266. 



"^ Posts made of the same composition as common bricks, burnt or 

 baked to consistency of hard arched brick. Ibid., 5:267. 



