1855. 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



93 



markets. The idea is gaining ground in New 

 England, I think, that there is more profit in 

 killing our swine, at a year old, than in keeping 

 them over an entire winter. Here, however, the 

 dead bodies of these quadrupeds indicate that 

 their sphere of action was not limited to a sty 

 merely, but that a good long set of legs and a 

 Hose to match, were essential to their style of 

 life. 



One fact impresses all who come here from the 

 north, that in every thing pertaining to agricul- 

 ture, there is wanting the system, and neatness 

 and energy, which educated free labor alone can 

 develope. 



I am expecting to visit the farm of a friend 

 near the city soon, and will give in my next some 

 idea of how a New England man cultivates a 

 southern farm. H. r. f. 



Washington, D. C, Jan. 8, 1855. 



For the New England Farmer. 



PEALING THE BASKET WILLOW. 



Mr. Brown : — I have lately witnessed the trial 

 of a machine, invented by George J. Colby, of 

 Jonesville, Vt., for peeling the baskti willow, which 

 is destined to become of great importance in this 

 country. It does the work in the most perfect 

 manner, is operated by one horse-power, and with 

 two men, will peel one ton per day. 



It has been fully proved, within a few years, 

 that the European Osier will thrive as well in 

 this as in the old country, and those cultivated 

 here are sought after by the manufacturer in 

 preference to the imported. There are annually 

 imported to the United States over Jice millions 

 dollars worth, besides the manufactured article, 

 whicii amount is very large, all of which might 

 be cultivated in this country to great advantage. 



The only objection to the cultivation of the 

 willow in this country, has been the searcity«of 

 labjr required to peel it for market, as it must 

 bo d me in the spring, during the short period 

 that the bark will strip, and in many localities 

 the required labor cannot be had. The estimated 

 cost for peeling by hand, is about $40 per ton. 

 That objection is now removed by the invention 

 of a machine for the purpose. I doubt if there 

 is any business that will yield the husbandman as 

 large a profit as the cultivation of the ivillow, by 

 those who have suitable soils. It will thrive well 

 on most of our soils, or any that are rich and 

 moist, or what is termed goi)d grass land ; but 

 that is best adapted which is natural to our na- 

 tive willow, and will yield an average of two 

 tons per acre. The pr(!sent price for the willow 

 is cents per pound, witli an increasing demand, 

 and much larger than tlie supply. 



The best willow for cultivation of which I am 

 acquainted, is th(' Salix viminalis ; it gi'ows in 

 this locality from eiglit to ton feet high, is very 

 smooth, free from knots, and never branches. 

 There are other varieties that are valual)le for 

 hedges, or live fences, which will yield an annual 

 profit for Osiers. J. R. Jewell. 



Bol/on, Dec, 1854. 



FORGIVE AND FORGET. 



BY THB ACTnoR OF " PKOVERBIAL PHILOSOPHY." 



When streams of unkindness as bitter as gall, 



Bublile up from the heart to the tongue, 

 And meekness rising in torment and thrall, 



15y the hand of Ingratitude wrung — 

 In the heart of injustice, unwept and unfair, 



While the anguish is festering yet. 

 None, none but an angel of God can declare 



" I can forgive and forget." 



But if the bad spirit is chased from the heart, 



And the lips are in penitence steeped, 

 With the wrong so repented the wrath will depart, 



Though scorn on injustice were heaped ; 

 For the best compensation is paid for all ill, 



When the cheek with contrition is wet, 

 And every one feels it is probable still. 



At once to forget and forgive. 



To forget? It is hard for a man with a mind, 



However his heard may forgive, 

 To blot out all perils and dangers behind, 



And but for the future to live ; 

 Then how shall it be ? for at every turn 



KecoUection the spirit will fret. 

 And the ashes of injury smoulder and burn. 



Though we strive to forgive and forget. 



0, hearken ! my tongue shall the riddle unseal, 



And mind shall be partner with heart. 

 While thee to thyself I bid conscience reveal. 



And show thee how evil thou art ; 

 Remember thy follies, thy sins and thy crimes — 



How vast is that infinite debt '. 

 Yet Mercy hath seven by seventy times 



Been swift to forgive and forget. 



Brood not on insuHs or injuries old, 



For thou art injurious too — 

 Count not the sum till the total is told. 



For thou art unkind and untrue ; 

 And if thy harms are forgotten, forgiven, 



Now mercy witli justice is met ; 

 0, who wouldn't gladly take lessons of Heaven — 



Not learn to forgive and forget ? 



Yes, yes, let a man when his enemy weeps, 



Be quick to i-eceive him as friend ; 

 For thus on his head in kindness he heaps 



Hot coals — to refine and amend ; 

 And hearts that are Christian more eagerly yearn 

 Over lips that, once bitter, to penitence turn, 



And whisper, "forgive and farget." 



For the New England Farmer. 



MACHINE FOR CHOPPING BRUSH. 



jNIessks. EuiTOUS : — In passing through iMethu- 

 en, a few weeks since, I had occasion to call on 

 Col. Charles E. Stanley, of that town, when I 

 was shown by that gentlenian a machine, or 

 rather, cutter, Itelonging to him, to which horse- 

 power is ai>plied, for the purpose of catting limbs 

 and brush at the door. It is called '• Uaniers 

 patent" of Vermont, being very much on the 

 principle of some hay-cutters, only on a much 

 larger scale. Two huge knives, al)out eighteen 

 inches long, one-half inch thick, and four and u 

 half in width, are strongly fastened i)n the shaft 

 roll. A gooil feed roll is also applied. Hard 

 wood liml)s, Vvithoiit triiiuuing, that are not more 

 than three inches, or pine, that are not more 

 tlian four and one-half inches throiigli at tlic 

 butt, are cut with ease. By changing tiie gear- 

 ing, they can 1)0 cut any length desired, from 

 four and onc-luilf to one-fourth of an inch in 



