90 



THE FARMERS' REGISTER 



introduced here : it does not ripen early, and I do 

 not think produces equal to the Washington, or red 

 chaff. 



1 last summer saw some Chester county farmers 

 in Washington, who stated that they grew there 

 a wheat which they called the Mediterranean, 

 which, though sown the last of August, would re- 

 sist the Hessian fly. Dr. Darlington, a gentle- 

 man of science and intelligence of West Chester, 

 •confirmed their statement; and I purchased a few 

 bushels, which I have eown for experiment. I 

 have also sown a small quantity of white wheat 

 which I procured from Ovvego county. It has a 

 fine white grain, and much resembles our Wash- 

 ington while wheat. 



From reading, and not from experience, I have 

 been induced to think, that the change of seed 

 wheat ie beneficial. The Scotch farmers often im- 

 port seed from England, and Scotchmen generally 

 understand their business. I cannot undertake to 

 ■ay that the white Washington or red chafl' beard 

 has degenerated on my lands ; on the contrary, 

 when the season is favorable, 1 have found them 

 equal in weight and product to what they were 

 in my earliest recollection. iVJy theory is, that 

 there are certain soils to which particular varieties 

 of wheat are best adapted, and when this ia ascer- 

 tained, it is always safest to rely on those varieties. 

 If it be true that wheat adapted to a soil degene- 

 rates from long sowing the same seed, raised from 

 the same ground, 1 should prefer the same variety 

 from a remote place. 1 have seen some beautiful 

 parcels of wheat brought into this neighborhood, 

 which very soon degenerated. Some years ago, 

 Judge Thomas Buchanan sent me, from the high- 

 lands of Washington county, some beautiful white 

 wheat, from which I had formed high expecta- 

 tions ; but it very soon degenerated, which I attri- 

 buted to its not being suited to this soil. Upon 

 the second introduction of red wlieat, after Mr. 

 Carter had ceased to sow it for filleen years, he 

 found it to produce well ; and when the product 

 first diminished, it is probable if he had gotten 

 seed of the same variety from a distance, he would 

 have derived the same benefit. The adaptation 

 of certain varieties of wheat to particular soils is 

 proved by the Washington wheat growing in 

 ealt-water districts, and degenerating when car- 

 ried into the interior. Mr. Carter illustrates the 

 necessity of the change of seed wheat by analogy 

 to animals. It is now generally agreed that horses, 

 cattle, sheep and hogs degenerate from long ex- 

 clusive association. If from this cause a herd of 

 Durhams had depreciated in value, I apprehend 

 if one of the same herd was introduced when the 

 connexion had been long broken, the cross would 

 be as beneficial aa if made by a Devon. I am 

 well satisfied that the while Washington and the 

 red chaff wheat are best adapted to my lands, and 

 though I am not sensible they have degenerated, 

 I should be pleased to get seed of both or either 

 from a distant region, for experiment. 



The community stands much indebted to Mr. 

 Garnett, for his persevering efforts in the cause of 

 agriculture ; and I am pleased to find that an agri- 

 cultural convention has met in the city of Wash- 

 ington, which has framed a constitution, and or- 

 ganized a society; though, I much fear, it will 

 languish for want of funds. Agriculture, though 

 the paramount interest of the country, and ex- 

 tending into every section, it seems is not so con- 



nected with the general welfare as to be entitled to 

 the countenance of the general government. Per- 

 haps one of the causes is, that no demands have 

 been made. If I was a member of this society, 1 

 would bring the subject before them at their next 

 meeting, to see if something could not be made 

 out of this clause of the constitution. The manu- 

 facturers, though (or the most part a sectional in- 

 terest, placed themselves under its (bstering wings, 

 where they would still have remained, but for the 

 ardent and determined spirits of the south. I am 

 not a latiiudinarian in construction ; but there are 

 many problems in agriculture not solved, many 

 discoveries not assayed, for want of means, and I 

 think an appropriation to these objects would be 

 more lor the general welfare, than sending ships 

 on discovery lo unknown sea?, even if they should 

 be so fortunate as to find an island within the Arctic 

 circle. 



Among other new discoveries, the wheat drill 

 was presented last year. The patentees are 

 Pennsylvanians, from Chester county. They 

 stated that, in their richest lands, one and a half 

 bushel had been found sufficient seed ; on my im- 

 proved grounds I generally sow two to the acre. 

 I had a lew acres put in at llie rate they proposed, 

 alternating spaces, with the plough, inflwhich I 

 sowed two to the acre. The next harvest will 

 test the accuracy of their statement. I kept the 

 time of the work done by the drill, for two succes- 

 sive hours, and found it would plant one acre to 

 the hour, with two men and two horses, without 

 fatigue to either. It deposites the wheat and 

 covers it by the same operation ; and none can be 

 found on the surface. The saving in labor and 

 the saving of seed are no small considerations. 

 I was much pleased with the woik done by the 

 drill. It is somewhat complicated, and I have not 

 sufficient information in mechanics to determine 

 on its stability, and whether it can sustain the 

 rough usage of rough hands. 



It appears to me that there is great defect in the 

 patent law, and I think the subject not unworthy 

 the consideration of the National Agricultural 

 Society. The commissioner is directed to award 

 a patent if the machine or composition of matter 

 be new and useful. By examining and comparing 

 a machine with the models in his office, he can 

 determine if it be new ; h\x< he has not the science, 

 experience, ability, and means of experiment, to 

 determine on its utility ; which does not depend 

 only on its apparent fitness (or the work intended 

 to be performed, but its ability to sustain it in con- 

 tinued practical operation. I do not speak from 

 any personal knowledge of the master of patents, 

 but it would be rare to find a man possessing all 

 the requisite qualifications. The Patent Office 

 ought to have attached to it a scientific practical 

 chemist, and a scientific practical mechanic, (with 

 salaries to command the best abilities,) who 

 should be provided with full means lor experiment. 

 In the departments under the general government, 

 where the general welfare is concerned, no rea- 

 sonable expense ought to be spared. Patent ma- 

 chines and patent medicines have long been a 

 gross imposition, and must so continue, until the 

 Patent Office shall be put under better regulations. 

 If the wheat drill had passed through the Patent 

 Office under the inspection of men competent to 

 decide on its usefulness and durability, though the 

 price is ^100, 1 would purchase one for the next 



