THE FARMERS' REGISTEii. 



119 



the use to which ila occupants are converting 

 it. 



This valley on ila first settlement must have 

 presenied a beautiCul and attracuve apijearance. 

 It abounds in springs, is genily undulating, only 

 swelling in vales sulficient to carry oti its redun- 

 dant waters. Here too are seen the evil effects 

 of severe cropping, reducing parts to an alnusi 

 hopeless waste ; but the hand of desolation will 

 be arrested, lor the march of improvement is on- 

 ward and progressing. The attention of the 

 traveller in passing is arrested by the evidence of 

 what zeal and energy can accomplish. A wonhy 

 and enterprising member of our society, recoiling 

 from the desolating course of his predecessors, 

 and bursting through the shackles oi an exploded 

 system, has set an example of improvement that 

 well entitles him to be hailed as a friend lo the 

 best interests of his country. 1 hope no apology 

 is needed lor this public expression of my ap- 

 probation where 1 think it so justly deserved. 

 There has been another example ot successful 

 improvement in the upper part of the valley, on a 

 ditierent character ot soil, that was much admir- 

 ed lor a period, until finally blighted and extin- 

 guished. 



A gentleman, now a resident of Mason and 

 then the owner of that estate, who was remarka- 

 ble (or his energy and industry, was the first to 

 clothe a naked soil in all the blushing glory of 

 rank and luxuriant clover. 



He sold the property, and since then other 

 councils and other plans have been pursued. I 

 lately passed by that estate, and really it seemed 

 to me, that some southern sirocco had swept over 

 it, its devastating influence, withering and parch- 

 ing out every vestige of that beauty, which was 

 the delight and admiration of all who saw it. I 

 have now taken a cursory view of parts of your 

 county, pointed out some lacilities at your com- 

 mand lor its improvement, and would finally say 

 to those who are reviving their exhausted lands 

 by grass — go on, increase the quantity sown until 

 you cover all not required lor the plough. Your 

 example will eventually be followed by those who 

 are desirous to share with you the rich reward 

 you will certainly reap. Continue to inclose your 

 wood land — cut out the under brush, sow it thick 

 with seed. A good example is furnished you, 

 by a countyman, a spirited member of our society, 

 who has now thousands under fence, and every 

 revolving year i^ adding to his almost unlimited 

 means lor extension. 



A I.IST OF PREMIUMS 



Awarded at the annual meeting of the Mason, Cabell 

 and Kanawha Agricultural Society, held in the 

 town of Guyandotte, on Thursday, the 11th Nov- 

 ember, 1S41. 



To Gen. P. H. Steenbergen, bull Rocking- 



liam, Durham, !Jj20 00 



James Shelton, 1 year old bull S 00 



Dr. Benjamin Brown, bull calf 5 00 



George Moore, cow 10 00 



Sampson Landers, 2 year old heifer 5 00 



Washington Shelton, 1 year old heifer 5 00 



John Morriss, stallion [by Greybeard] 10 00 



James Y. Quarrier, 2 year old colt Prince 



Albert ------ 7 50 



Dr. Benjamin Brown, 1 year old colt by 



Sir William 5 00 



J. Y. Quarrier, brood mare, dam ofP. Albert 7 50 

 John Morriss, suckingcolt by Young Grayb'd 5 00 



Roman Manager, Berkshire boar 5 00 



A. L. Doolittle do sow 5 00 



Joseph Nagle, ram, Bridgewater 6 00 



do ewe do 5 00 

 John Capehart, acre of corn, 114 bushels 



7qls* 25 00 



John Mdrriss, acre of meadow, 6482 lbs. 



timothy, 10 00 



John Capehart, best sample tobacco, 



(very good) - - - - - 10 00 

 Mrs. Frances Moore, of Mason, domestic 



carpet 10 00 



Mrs. Lucy Matthews, of Kan'a, rag carpet 5 00 

 Mrs. Sarah Doolittle, of Cabell, pair blan- 

 kets 5 00 



Mrs. Frances Moore, of Mason, piece of 



flannel • - 5 00 



do do piece of jeanes 5 00 



do do lancy bedquilt 5 00 

 Miss Olivia Holdridge, of Cabell, silk 



stockings - - - - - 2 50 



Arlldes for which preniums were not previ- 

 ously awarded, but pronounced by the judges 

 highly deserving attention : 



Mrs. Lucy Matthews, a very fine silk shawl, 

 grown, spun, and manufactured by herself. 



Miss Abigail S. Adam, of Cabell, a rich hearth 

 rug and 2d best quilt. 



Miss Sarah Poor, of Cabell, a fine woollen 

 shawl, 5.4 square, 



Mrs. Sarah Couch, of Mason, a rich toilet 

 cover. 



Miss Johanette Magnes, of Cabell, four infant 

 net caps, very rich ; and best piece of cotton 

 hose. 



Miss Leonora Chapman, of Cabell, the beat 

 specimen of sowin<? silk. 



Mrs. Mary A. Nixon, of Cabell, a very fine 

 palm leaf hat. 



Ambrose L. Doolittle, three barrels cocoons. 



Miss Julia A. Wright, of Cabell, presented a 

 very fine speciman of race ginger cultivated by 

 herself. 



SILK CULTURE IN EAST TENNESSEE. 



From tlie Tennessee Agriculturist. 



'l"he following extract handed us by a friend, 

 from the most experienced silk culturist in Ten- 

 nessee, we hope will be interestmg to many of 

 our readers : 



Rotherwood, January 4ih, 1842. 



Dear sir : — In reply to your questions on the 

 progress of the sifk culture. &c., I remark, that 

 notwithstanding the gloomy aspect of moneyed 

 matters for some time past has deterred from all 

 adventure, the silk business is now in a fairer 



* There were three other competitors for this pre- 

 mium: Samuel L Alexander produced evidenre of 

 having raised 112 bushels to the acre ; Charles Beale 

 10 li, and Morgan Moore 100, 



