GRAPES. shepherds' DOGS. 413 



GRAPES. 



Dear Sir : I find that Gen. Dearborn joins Dr. Underhill in asscrlin? that for- 

 eign grapes cannot be grown by open culture in this country. It is very possible 

 that the delicate grapes of the south of Europe cannot be reared by open culture 

 in the neiijiiborliood of Boston, or on the sea-shore norlli of New-Jersey ; but I 

 have raised at my farm, as you know, rvliller's Burgundy, in great perfection, in 

 open culture; also, Muscadine grapes, in bunches of over two pounds, and Black 

 Hamburghs weighing from half a pound to over one pound bunches ; and the fla- 

 vor of the Hamburghs is better than those raised under glass. 



1 am determined to try and raise the Fontainbleau grape, as cultivated at 

 Thomery for the Paris market ; and, if 1 succeed, all lovers of fine fruit will 

 thank me. 



I wish you could persuade Mr. Wetmore, our Navy Agent, to get some grape- 

 cuttings or grape-seeds from Oregon and California. I am told he is very oblig- 

 ing, and desirous to benefit our country. If he will procure any kind of seeds or 

 plants, you know I will do all in my power to propagate them, and distribute 

 them as he shall direct. 



What do you know about the native flax that grows west of the Rocky Mount- 

 ains ? Couid we get some seed, or some of Oregon wheat, that weighs 66 lbs. 



to the bushel ? Ever yours, C. 



[We should be glad to be made the medium for pi-omoliiig the enlightened and utilitarian 

 views of our esteemed correspondent.] 



SHEPHERDS' DOGS.— How Tkained.— A gentleman wi-ote us, not long siBce, that he 

 had succeeded in procuiing a pair of Shepherds' Dogs, and that the slut had whelped eight 

 fine pups. 



The dog, on going into the field, would collect a flock of any size into a compact initss, but 

 then ho found difficulty in giving him to understand when he was to let them go at large, 

 and asked for instruction. 



We referred liis letter to a gentleman of much experience in the observation and use of 

 such dogs in the old countries ; and, on his receiving a letter from him, our original corre- 

 spondent writes what may be of use in the management of dogs generally, for all purposes. 



We are inclined to believe in the superior efficacy of mild and humane over testy and bel- 

 licose treatment, in our management and intercourse with dogs, as well as with other ani- 

 mals, not excepting man — who we seriously believe to bo uiore iuchued than any other ani- 

 mals to make war wantonly on his own species. 

 J. S. Skinneb, Esq. ISbdford (near Augusta), Ga., Jan. 7, 1847. 



Dear Sir: Your kind favor of the 16th December came to hand in regular course of mail, and 

 I return j'ou my grateful acknowledgments for your attention. Since its receipt, I have received 

 one fi-om Wm. Murdoch. Esq., of Asheville, giving me such directions as will aid me much ia 

 the management of my Shepherds' Dogs. 



He advises kind treatment, with suitable punishment, administered with judgment, when the 

 dogs are too rash with the sheep ; and observes that the dogs po.ssess great sagacity — vfill watch 

 every look and gesture of the owner— anrl the government must be left to the judgment of the 

 shepherd, as each shepherd has his peculiar management of his dog, as each sportsman has his 

 peculiar mode of treating his pointer or .setter. Young dogs should at first be coupled to well- 

 trained old dogs. 



It will give me great pleasure to add to the number of subscribers to your valuable work. . . 

 If my agricultural ideas are worth anything to me (and I think they are), I am n.iuch indebted to 

 you, and tliereforc owe you the exertion to inciea.sc your list of subscribers. Your " American 

 Farme-" was the first agricultural paper that ever fell into my hands; aiid I only regret I did not 

 read it with morp care. 



Most rcspcci fully, J. L. C. 



(84.5) 



