382 



Jerusalem Artichohe. — Editcrial JVotices. 



Vol. X. 



Jerusalem Artichoke. — Thisr(fct is cul- 

 tivated precisely like the potatoe, in hills or 

 drills. At the South and West it is fed off 

 by turning swine on to the fields, who root 

 them up and consume them at pleasure. A 

 winter's supply of food is thus easily pro- 

 vided for their hogs, and the crop fed off the 

 land greatly enriches it. The artichoke is 

 considered one of the best of fertilizers, as 

 it derives a large amount of its carbon and 

 nitrogen from the atmosphere. They should 

 be cultivated extensively in well grown or- 

 chards, as they do well in the sliade, pulver- 

 ize the soil without exhausting it, and leave 

 it in a good condition for growing trees. 

 After the fruit is gathered, turn the swine 

 on to feed them off. Rooting them up is 

 nearly as beneficial as ploughing; at the 

 same time the swine destroy nearly all the 

 insects harbouring round the trees, and the 

 manure they leave is equivalent to a good 

 top-dressing. The artichoke is a delicious 

 table vegetable, pared and cut up raw in 

 thin slices with vinegar added to it. Many 

 are also fond of it boiled and mashed like 

 turnips. Frost does not injure the roots, and 

 after the first planting they propagate them- 

 selves. 'J'he roots of the Jerusalem are ill- 

 shaped, rather large, and of a pure white 

 colour. The kind of artichoke bearing a 

 root with pink streaks or spots on the flesh 

 part, is not as good as the Jerusalem. They 

 grow well in the poorest land. — American 

 Agriculturist. 



THE FARMERS' CABINET, 



AND 



Philadelphia, Seventh Month, 1846. 



From our exchange papers, and from numerous let- 

 ters, we learn that, as we would naturally anticipate, 

 through our vast country, the grain harvest has pro- 

 duced varied results, in various districts. While in 

 Bome, the wheat crop has been heavy, and every way 

 satisfactory, in others, the hopes of the farmer have 

 been disappointed by the extensive ravages of the hes- 

 Bian fly. The remarkably dull and wet spell of wea- 

 ther during the first week in this month, operated in 

 our district of country, very inconveniently. Where 

 the wheat was cut, and not secured, we suppose con- 

 siderable injury was sustained— in some neighbour- 

 hoods where it was heavy and not cut, it was much 

 beaten down, — had to be cut with the naked scythe, 

 and was found to have sprouted in the ear. The coun 

 try, however, through the good I'rovidence of the great 

 Husbandman, who faileth not to send the rain in his 

 season — summer and winter— seed time and harvest, 

 will yield an abundance of the good things necessary 

 for our daily wants. The crops of grass, are almost 



without exception, remarkably fine. Flour remains 

 low : say $4 to $4.50— corn 55 to CO cents. 



In little excursions made a fortnight ago to Haddon- 

 field and Woodbury, we were delighted with the great 

 luxuriance of vegetation of every kind. The wheat 

 and grass would vie with those in our very best farm- 

 ng districts. The improvements made in those neigh- 

 bourhoods within the last twenty years, would astonish 

 our fathers, as indeed' they do ourselves. An obi=ervant 

 friend remarked recently, that there was now more 

 produce gathered within a circle of one ii.ile radius 

 from Haddonfield, than there was a quarter of a cen- 

 tury ago, within one of five miles from the same place. 

 This is certainly gratifying evidence of great pro- 

 gress, and of a disposition in farmers to improve their 

 condition. 



The J^Tew England Farmer is discontinued. We re- 

 gret that we no longer find that valuable paper among 

 our exchanges; but all things here Iiave their day, and 

 come to an end. It has lived longer than most of its 

 contemporaries. It was established in 1822 by Thomas 

 G. Fessenden, who continued its Editor, until his death 

 in 1837. The cause of agriculture has been ably advo- 

 cated, and its interests promoted by this paper, and its 

 editor, Joseph Breck, may enjoy the satisfaction of be- 

 lieving that it did not "outIive~its usefulness." 



"Patience" will find her enquiries pretty fully an- 

 swered by Cliemico, in his communication on page 368. 

 Her letter was forv\'arded to hinri, and he was particu- 

 larly gratified by the estimation in which she is pleased 

 to hold his essays that have appeared in the Cabinet. 

 The Editor also partakes of this gratificalion, and pro- 

 mises to be assiduous in his endeavours to furnish to 

 her and others "much delightful reading connected 

 with the improvements in agriculture— the manage- 

 ment of poultry — dairies, and by no means forgetting 

 flowers." 



The New York State Agricultural Exhibition and 

 Fair, will beheld at Auburn on the 15lh, 16th and 17th 

 of the Ninth month next. A long and liberal list of 

 premiums is offered, not very materially differing from 

 those of late years. We have not room for it in detail. 

 A ploughing match will take place on the first day of 

 the show. New York always makes these occasions 

 of great excitement and interest. 



The sixth number of Caiman's Agricultural Tour, 

 has been received and forwarded to our subscribers. 

 Many highly interesting statements are given on the 

 subject of draining, showing an expenditure of capital 

 and labour that would be frightful to our farmers; and 

 nothing could justify it in Great Britain, but the high 

 value of land, and lowness of wages. 



Subscribers can have their volume of Colman's 

 Tour, and any other books well bound at this ofRce. 



The number for this month — the first of vol. 2, of 

 the Farmers' Library, is on our table. Its contents 

 are as usual, varied and valuable. We wish its enter- 

 prising publish( rs and able editor every success. The 

 fore part of the number commences the publication of 

 Stephens' Book of the Farm. 



