JVo. 14. 



Agriculture. — Bussian Clover. 



253 



a committee was appointed to represent it, 

 andaltiioiigli the weather unfortunately most 

 unfavorable for the excursion, we learn that 

 a respectable number of the committee were 

 in attendance, among whom were Edward 

 Tatnall, Dr. Thomson, and Joseph, Tatnall 

 of this city — Alaj. Stockton of New Castle — 

 Philip Reybold, Anthony Hio-gins,and Pliilip 

 Reybold jr., of Red Lion Hundred. The 

 committee was met on its arrival at Salem 

 by Josiah Reeves Esq., of Alloways town, 

 Mr. Caseby of Salem, and other gentlemen, 

 and after spending a short time there — were 

 by common consent handed over to the par- 

 ticular care and kindness of Mr. Reeves, 

 who took them all to his house and to whose 

 kind attentions and elegant hospitality, we 

 have heard but one expression of opinion by 

 the gentlemen who were the recipients of it. 

 The whole of Friday was consumed in ex- 

 amining the marl pits about Woodstown, 

 Mannington and Sweedsborough and paying 

 a visit to Mr. Tonkins and his famous stock. 

 The rich specimens exhibited to us of the 

 shell and green sand marl brought over by 

 one of the committee, as also the lime stone 

 of Mannington quarries, which are in the 

 immediate vicinity of the finest beds of marl 

 — must make Salem one of the richest coun- 

 ties of the state and the clay soil, which 

 abounds there, a fine wheat country; — no 

 better evidence was exhibited to the com- 

 mittee in this improving county, (to which 

 nature has been so bountiful in natural ma- 

 nures) than was shown on the farms of the 

 Messrs. Reeve's, — lands which cost them 

 but four dollars per acre (and unimproved, 

 were dear at that,) covered with cedar bushes 

 and crab grass, and producing nothing like 

 good grass or grain — with the aid of lime 

 and marl, are now yielding three tons of 

 clover and timot'iy to the acre, with twenty 

 five bushels of wheat the past year — and corn, 

 rye and other products in the same propor- 

 tions. The same may be said of all the other 

 lands there, improved in this way — No one 

 without seeing, can imagine the contrast 

 now made between the old sedo'e commons 

 and the cultivated fields reclaimed from 

 them — the increased value thus given to in- 

 dividual and national wealth, is most obvious 

 and interesting. Specimens of Delaware 

 marl such as were analized by Mr. Booth, 

 State Geologist, (from St. George's hundred,) 

 were taken over by the committee and com- 

 pared with the best qualities of Jersey marl 

 — they appear very similar, and are no doubt 

 equally enriching if judiciously applied, be- 

 ing of the same great veins which cross each 

 of those states and penetrate largely into 

 Maryland — and containing by examination 

 about the same fertilizing matter. We augur 

 the best results to our agricultural interests 



of both states from this visit of practical and 

 improving farmers to each other, and the 

 good example set by New Jersey, will not 

 be lost on those of Delaware, who are now 

 bearing and finding marl daily, in most of 

 the lower parts of this country. 



Of the cattle of Mr. Edward Tonkins of 

 Gloucesster, the committee speak in the high- 

 est terms of admiration and praise. His stock 

 consists of pure Durhams — and of cattle 3-4 

 and 7-8th in this blood ; they say, his cows 

 and 3 and 5 year old steers of this description 

 are models of the kind — and that the two 

 enormous oxen now feeding by him and 

 nearly 8 years old exceed any thing of the 

 kind thoy ever witnessed. The average 

 number of persons who visit them is suppos- 

 ed to be one hundred daily, from all parts of 

 the country — and there is little doubt that 

 they will each weigh from 2000 to 25001bs- 

 nett — which will make them the finest pair 

 of cattle ever fed in the United States. A 

 report of this visit will be read at the next 

 quarterly meetingof the Society, The com- 

 mittee returned home safely on Saturday — 

 highly gratified with their excursion and ex- 

 pressing their warmest thanks and obliga- 

 tions to all those who tendered to make their 

 visit instructive and agreeable. Among those 

 we heard particularly alluded to were Mr. 

 Josiah Reeve and brother of Allowaystown, 

 Mr. Caseby of Salem. Messrs. Smith, Riley 

 and Squire Read of Woodstown and Mr. 

 Tonkins of Gloucesster county, and Messrs. 

 Ridgeway and Inskip of the Mannington 

 lime quarries. The farmers of Newcastle 

 county will be ever ready to reciprocate the 

 attentions and hospitalities which have been 

 paid them on their late visit, and we venture 

 to predict to our Jersey neighbors, that al- 

 rhough they concede the palm tor the present 

 to Gloucestercounty cattle, they will emulate 

 the spirit which has actuated Mr. Tonkins 

 and make the Newcastle ox out weigh thera 

 all. ° p. 



Russian Clover. 



A variety of clover seed bearing this name 

 was brought into our market, last year, by 

 Mr. A. F. Palmer, and a few pounds were 

 sold and sown. It grew up rapidly, and blos- 

 somed, with a somewhat long and conical 

 head. Some sown by friend Paine Wingate, 

 went to seed. It appears to be a thrifty varie- 

 ty, and will undoubtedly yield a good burden 

 per acre. How it will stand the winter, is a 

 question which we cannot now answer. We 

 hope it will receive a more extensive trial 

 another year. It will undoubtedly prove a 

 fine crop for many purposes besides for hay, 

 such as an excellent pasturage for bees, as 

 well as neat cattle, &c. — Maine Farmer. 



