3S0 



MONTHLY JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE. 



during tlie second as the first season ; but re- 

 quires only two tlressings before covering up 

 in the fiill. During tlie tliird season it should 

 be dressed once certainly, and twice if prac- 

 ticable ; and by this time the tops may be 

 expected to cover the ground nearly from 

 one bed to the other. During the iijurdi sea- 

 son, it requires no attention till the time for 

 digging, which may be any time in tlie 

 months of September or October. At dig- 

 ging time, the tops shoidd be cut otf with a 

 scythe, and rolled out of the way ; then, with 

 a plow, cut a deep furrow on each side of the 

 bed ; afterward take dungforks and shake 

 the dirt fi-om the roots. They may then be 

 ])icked up. Proceed in this manner till the 

 wliole bed is dug, washed clean, and dried 

 in a hop-kiln. A store is preferable to char- 

 coal for drying. Fifty bushels of roots may 

 be dried in a kiln 12 feet square. They 

 should be turned while in the kiln, at least 

 once in six hoUrs, until they are thorouiihly 

 dried, which takes from 3(5 to 40 hours. When 

 taken out of the kiln, they should be taken 

 immediately to the mill for grinding. Mad- 

 der has fonnerly been ground in grist-mills, 

 but a much more convenient and economical 

 way, is to grind in cast-iron mills, constructed 

 expressly i()r grinding madder. They also 

 answer a valuable purpose, for grinding coarse 

 grain for provender, in sections of country 

 where grist mills are not near by. They 

 may be propelled by horse power, (one horse 

 being sufficient,) or by water power if it is 

 convenient. One of these mills \vlll grind 

 800 or 1,000 pounds a day with one horse. 



Improved mills of this kind can be obtained 

 by aiiplying to me at West-Wiufield, Herki- 

 mer coimty, or Lester Curtis, Nelson, Madi- 

 son county. Orders for mills will be promptly 

 attended to ; price $20. 



The followhig bill exhibits nearly the cost 

 of cultivating an acre of madder, hicluding 

 the expense of digging, diying and grinding: 



Seed per acre S32 00 



Interest of land 4 years, at S40 11 20 



Plowini^ and harrowing twice 2 50 



Planting 2 00 



Dressing first year 8 00 



Do. second year 7 00 



Do. third year 3 OO 



Digging 21 00 



Drying, 2.jc. per cwt 12 50 



Grinding, 25c. per cwt 12 50 



Total cost Sill 70 



Product, if well cultivated, 5,000 lbs. at 



20 cents per lb Sl.OOO 00 



Deduct cost Ill 70 



Net profit SS88 30 



A good crop of madder looks small the first 

 season, but those interested need not be dis- 

 couraged. I have now planted nine acres, 

 and slicdl be ready at the season for digguig 

 to suj)ply seed to a considerable amount 

 Those who wish for seed had better obtain it 

 in the lall. Quantity per acre, as I plant, 8 

 bushels. 



Price of seed: under 6 bushels, $4 per 

 bushel ; over 6 and under 12 bushels, $3 50 ; 

 over 12 bushels, $3. 



HERBERT WOODBERRV. 



West- Winfidd, N. Y., July 20, 1835. 



In our next we will give a supplementary communication from Mr. Woodberry. 



A GREAT OPERATION PROPOSED. 



Extract from a Letter to the Editor of The Farmers' Library. 

 * * * " The domain I told you of is in Pickens Distiict, South Caroluia, and contains 

 more than 100,000 acres — beginning, say two miles above the mouth of Chatuga River; nin- 

 ning up that stream to about the dividing ridge between Village Creek and Tomassee Creek ; 

 across, along it several miles, and thence slojn'ng wider to embrace the country of the Chau- 

 ga, and extending toward the source of Long Nose Creek ; then making a detour to com- 

 plete the circumscription at the Chatuga. I took die State Geologist all over it. He thought 

 it one of the most beautiful and interesting portions of the State. The forest is particularly 

 fine — the " range" superb. No loss from rocks ; almost every acre cultivable ; the soil good, 

 resulting from decomposed hornblende, gi-antic slates, &c. As the hills are in ranges, the 

 roads are surprisingly good. Iron ore, of several sorts, abundant. Lime, gold, &c. are 

 known to exist. Water-power pervading and innnense. The navigable waters of Tugola 

 River are only three miles distant from its western limit, and the Greenville Railroad will 

 come within some twenty miles of its eastern. The cheapest, easiest, healthiest and most 

 Jiataral route for coiniecting with the West, either by canal or railroad, is up the Tugola, 

 through the Rabun gap, and down the L. Teiniessee. [See the map.] " 



The owner's motive for selling: is with him a very natural one. Havins; very 

 large possessions besides, enough to employ all his lime, he would iind it more 



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