19G 



Folds. 



Vol. X. 



thorough combination of sand and clay, un- 

 less these substances are of a marly nature, 

 or contain calcareous particles: where such 

 is not the case, these earths cannot be sui^- 

 ciently divided to incorporate with each 

 other." 



The mode of mixing these soils is by re- 

 peated ploughings — tiie two or three first as 

 superficial as possible — then harrowing, and 

 breaking the clods as soon as they are dry; 

 also by mixing dung or lime with them, or 

 by sowing plants whose roots have sufficient 

 strength to penetrate the clods, the opera- 

 tion may be accelerated; but after going 

 through all this labour, it seems that we 

 must wait before any beneficial effect is pro- 

 duced. 



Another mode of ameliorating argillaceous 

 soils, not unfrequent in Europe, is by paring 

 and burning; this process brings them nearer 

 to a sandy soil than any other, by destroying 

 the coherence and tenacity which make clay 

 so difficult to manage. 



On soils deficient in consistency and dis- 

 posed to retain moisture. Von Thaer speaks 

 very highly of sand, as being by far the best 

 dressing, as by penetrating the mould and 

 filling up its spongy texture, it, without af- 

 fecting the richness of the soil, made it much 

 more manageable in the cultivation. It 

 should be spread on land covered with grass; 

 it then, according to his experience, "pro- 

 duces a more beneficial efiect than the most 

 energetic manure; in fact, manure would be 

 rather injurious, than otherwise, to spils of 

 the kind of which we are now speaking." 



A. L.^E. 



(To be continued.) 



For tlic Farmers' Cabinet. 



Fowls. 



To THE Editor, — I have been a subscriber 

 to the Cabinet, I believe, from its commence- 

 ment, and have contributed but little to it, 

 except, perhaps, by adding to its circulation, 

 by speak mg of its value. Being no writer, 

 I have left it for those who are more compe- 

 tent; I find many inquiries on its pages on 

 very interesting and instructive subjects. 

 In the last number a writer is inquiring 

 about fowls, which, perhaps, lias prompted 

 me to query on the same subject. Your 

 citizens are fond of a fine appearance on 

 the farmers stalls, and good fat poultry con- 

 tributes much to that appearance. I have 

 had the common, the Poland, Creole, and 

 Pheasant stock of fowls, and as I want to 

 have the most profitable, for the family and 

 stall, will some writer inform where the 

 Game stock of fowls can be obtained, and 

 whether they are good layers, of a round 



plump form, and if hardy; and if they are 

 peaceable when running at large"! The 

 best stock of all kinds should be obtained by 

 farmers; I am very fond of having a large 

 flock of poultry about my buildings, but I 

 wish to have those that will pay for the grain 

 tiiey eat, which is not a little; and above 

 all, when prepared for the market, I wish to 

 have a breed that will show their feeding. 

 Also the best manner of winter keeping, 

 whether to be housed or running out is best; 

 what is the best kind of food ; and if they 

 require animal food when the ground is 

 frozen, or covered v.-ith snow] These seve- 

 ral questions answered, would gratify a 

 Delaware county farmer, wiio wishes the 

 welfare of the Cabinet and its editor. 



Where can clean orchard grass .=eed be 

 obtained, and at what price per bushel ; 

 when the proper time of sowing, and how 

 much per acre '] 



My experiment with the poudrette last 

 summer, was to put a small handfull in the 

 hill with the corn, all covered together, but 

 it did not show itself in the corn — my corn 

 was frozen down, and after it grew up, it 

 was cut down with the worms, which, per- 

 haps, operated against it. 



My neighbour's field showed the effects 

 of the poudrette. The corn was more rank 

 than his compost made it, side by side, and 

 the yield was better when husked ; his soil 

 is similar to my ovv'n, and why such a difl^er- 

 ence, I know not — his land has been more 

 cropped and less manured ; but strange as it 

 is, I have often seen better corn on thin land 

 than on that v.'hich is thought to be good, 

 and which has apparently received equal 

 care. If the next number of the Cabinet 

 shall have a column to spare for these seve- 

 ral interrogatories, I believe many farmers 

 will be benefitted, and I shall be obliged. 

 Respectfully, A. G. H. 



Ovn frisnd A. G. H., is correct when he sajs Pbila- 

 dclpliians like a fine appearance on tlie fanners' stalls; 

 and we have been parUy ready to conclude that some 

 of our farmers are little aware of the diflcrence it 

 makes, both in flie readiness of sale and in the prices 

 olitained, whether things look nice, or otherwise. In 

 scarcely any thing is there so great a contrast as in 

 poultry, unless it be in veal. When did the farmer 

 ever go home and complain to Iiis wife of dull prices, 

 when she had frcigiitcd him with plump and fat poul- 

 try, nicely picked and handled throughout, as if she 

 had always a clean apron on? Good poultry, well 

 handled, like good fruit, will always bring good prices. 

 But how can it be supposed that miserable skeletons 

 of chickens, murdered in the handling, and looking, 

 when in market, as if they had been thrown pell mell 

 into a basket, and then set on by ihe market-man; — 

 how can it be supposed these will bring a price to pay 

 for rearing them ? 



