570 



NE^Y ENGLAND FARMEE, 



Dec. 



ing to come up was probably caused by the seed 

 ha\ing been smoked by the Indians, a process used 

 l)y them in the curing of this grain. This should 

 be guarded against, by those procuring seed to 

 plant. One objection to the cultivation of this plant 

 might be the deciduous habit of this grain, as it 

 drops into tlie water as soon as ripe. To prevent 

 this waste Avhen cultivated in the water, a lesson 

 might be learned from the Indians, who are in the 

 habit about the time that it begins to turn from its 

 milky state and to ripen, to run their canoes into 

 the midst of it, and tying bunches of it together, 

 just below the ears, with l)ark, leave it in this situ- 

 ation three or four weeks longer, till it is perfectly 

 ripe. Cultivation might change this habit of drop- 

 ping its seeds, or the stalks, of the plant could be 

 cut up before it was ripe. 



According to Loudon, the Wild Rice has been in- 

 troduced into England, and grows, as with us, 

 aroimd ponds and streams of water. In the pres- 

 ent high ])rices of all cereal grains, it would seem 

 very important and desirable that we should intro- 

 duce the Zizana into cultivation, and thus realize 

 the high anticijiations of those, who have preceded 

 us. There is another plant which merits attention 

 from our farmers, viz. the ]\Iountain Rice, oiyzopsis 

 asperifolia of Michaux. It is found in Massachu- 

 setts, in the interior of the State, but has not been 

 seen to our knowledge on the seaboard. The seeds 

 are white, about as long as rice, and farinaceous. 

 Mr. Pursh says, I observed this grass on the broad 

 mountains of Pennsylvania, and consider it worth 

 the attention of fanners as the considerable large 

 seeds contain the finest flour of any grain I know. 



Li closing this article I would remark, we have 

 much to expect from the cultivation of any native 

 plant, capable of bearing a valuable grain, l)y its be- 

 mg perfectly adapted to our climates, and its com- 

 parative exemption from diseases incident to the 

 cereal grains of foreign origin. And while the 

 wheat, rye, barley, &c., natives of other countries, 

 are diseased and infested with insects, our Indian 

 corn, a native of America, being at home, delights 

 in our bright sun, and dry atmosphere, and is one 

 of the most healthy plants we cultivate, and remark- 

 ably free from blight and diseases. s. P. F. 



JDanvers-poH, Oct. 12, 1855. 



THE MONTHLY FARMER. 



It is well known to om- readers, that we publish a 

 Wetkhj and Monthly edition of the JVeiv England 

 Farmer. The Weekly is in the common newspaper 

 form, printed upon fine, white paper, and on new 

 type. Its first page is always made up of agi-icul- 

 tural reading, and the other three pages, of war, po- 

 litical, religious, mercantile, mechanical, manufactur- 

 ing and miscellaneous intelligence — together with 

 the prices current, carefully corrected, and a few ad- 

 vertisements. This part of the paper is conducted, 

 solely, by \^'illiam SiMONDS, Esq., a gentleman of 

 ability, and possessing great experience as a jour- 

 nahst. He resides in the country, but has his busi- 

 ness office in Boston. 



The Monthly Farmer is in Book form, and is 

 made up each month from the agricultural matter on 

 the first page of the weekly paper. Some of the 



leachng characteristics of the Monthly Farmer are, 



1. It is more valualjle than any mere book upon 

 agriculture, because it not only contains the general 

 principles of the great Art, but because it is made 

 up from the latest experiences of practical men upon 

 the soils in our own localities. 



2. The elegant mamicr and convenient form in 

 which it is printed ; making a handsome volume for 

 the Khrary when bomid. The bmding, in muslin, 

 with gilt back and handsomely lettered, will cost 

 but twenty-five cents. 



3. The expensive engra\ings which illustrate the 

 stock, plants, fruits, climbers, flowers, machines, 

 buildings and fences, which are described in its col- 

 umns. 



4. The absence of long catalogues of premiums 

 and programmes, which are only of temporary in- 

 terest. 



5. Its articles spring from leading principles in 

 the art of agriculture, and will, therefore, be as val- 

 uable to the inquirer any future year, as at the pres- 

 ent time. 



6. Its writers are nearly all men of practical ac- 

 quaintance with the business of the farmer. 



7. Some of its writers are men of profound learn- 

 ing in the various arts and sciences, and particularly 

 in chemistry, in its relations to agriculture. 



8. The matter which has been collected and print- 

 ed with so much care, is easily made available by a 

 full and accurate index to the articles and illustra- 

 tions and names of correspondents ; so that any 

 principle which has been discussed, or any fact re- 

 corded, may be referred to without loss of time. 



These are some of the points which are promi- 

 nent in the Monthly Farmer, and which we know 

 have been appreciated, /or its circulation has more 

 than doubled during the last year! 



WORK, WORK! 



I have seen and heard of people who thought it 

 beneath them to work — to employ themselves in- 

 dustriously in some useful laboi". Beneath them to 

 work ! Why, work is the motto of life ; and he who 

 accomplishes the most by his industry is the most 

 truly great man. Aye, and is the most distingiushed 

 man among his fellow-creatures and his God — who 

 so forgets the great blessings of life, as to allow his 

 enei'gies to stagnate in activity and uselessness, had 

 better die ; for, sajs the Holy Writ, "He that will 

 work not, neither shall he eat." An idler is a cum- 

 berer of the ground, a weariness and a cui'se to him- 

 self, as well as to those around him. 



Beneath human beings to work ! Look in the ar- 

 tist's studio, the poet's garret, M'here the genius of 

 Immortality stands ready to seal his works with her 

 ineflaceable signet, and then you will only see indus- 

 try standing by her side. 



Beneath human beings to work ! What but work 

 has tilled our fields, clothed our boches, l)uilt our 

 houses, raised our churches, printed our books, culti- 

 vated our minds and souls? "Work out your own 

 salvation," says tlie inspired Apostle to the Gen- 

 tiles. — Cornish Banner. 



