350 



Self- Sharpening Ploiigh, Sfc. 



Vol. n 



all the best sorts abhor a wet bottom when 

 they are young, and will not ra.t deep 

 enough in it, to bear the vicissitades of the 

 seasons ; and not increasing by tlie roots as 

 they ought to do, will die when they have 

 perfected their seed, and leave the land bare. 



The advantages to be derived from the al- 

 ternate, or convertible husbandry, cannot be 

 too much dwelt on. None but tha^e who 

 have tried it, can be fully aware, of the vast 

 improvement effected, by laying down old 

 ploughed land into grass, as well as convert- 

 ing pasture lands into arable. 



Under this system, also, when judiciously 

 conducted, the crops are always abundant, 

 and the soil is kept in a constant state of in- 

 creasing fertility. At the same time, it is 

 proper to remark, that too much pasture in a 

 populous country ought to be avoided. ' It di- 

 minishes the necessaries of life, while it in- 

 creases and cheapens the luxuries, and its 

 produce is much less efficient, in furnishing 

 subsistence to man. 



On the whole, it has been justly remarked 

 that the alternate system of hu.sbandry, is most 

 beneficial to the cultivators and the public. 

 A considerable capital is necessarily required 

 to commence and carry it on ; and it m ust oc- 

 casion some trouble in its execution ; but 

 these are circumstances, whicii indispensably 

 accompany every improved system. If one 

 half of a farm be kept under artificial grasse.'^, 

 and other green crops, as much live stock 

 may often be supported, and fattened upon 

 their produce, as if the whole farm were pas- 

 tured; while the other half, enriched by the 

 large quantity of dung produced by the con- 

 sumption of these crops, will fuinish as much 

 disposable produce, for supplying the market 

 with the various sorts of grain, as if the whole 

 farm had been sown with culmiferous crops. 

 Hence the superior advantages, and profit, 

 derived from a conjunction of stock and of 

 grain husbandry; by the union of which, 

 wherever such a plan is practicable, husban- 

 dry can be more substanstially improved, than 

 by any other means that has hitherto been 

 suggested. 



Quantity of rain which has fallen in each 

 month since January 1, 1838. 



1st month, 

 2d month, 

 3d month, 

 4'ih month, 

 5th month, 

 Philad. Hospital, June 



inche.s. 



2.20 



2.19 



ai7 



a.68 

 y.57 



1S38. 



Many of our readers are anxious to hear 

 again from A Penh Township Farmer. 



If a man cheat thee once, shame feiia ; if he 

 theat thee twice, shame on thee, 



Fig. 54. 

 CONCAVE SELF SHARPENING PLOUGH. 



This is considered as a superior article. 

 It is of lighter draft, turns stubble, weeds or 

 manure better, and without ciioking, than 

 those in general use. The inventor says that 

 they not only save the trouble of going to the 

 smith shop, but also four-fifths of the expense 

 of the other plough. We invite the attention 

 of farmers to this plough. It is olTered for 

 sale by the inventor ftfr. Wm. Beach, 426 

 Market street, who has on hand a variety of 

 cultivators (see page 327) hoe-harrows, straw- 

 cutters, &c., of the most approved kinds. 



For tlie Farmti-s CaUintt. 



G-ood Suggestions. 



Mr. Editor — I was much pleased with 

 the proposal of your correspondent, that our 

 children should be furnished with tools ssit- 

 ed to their strength, made in all respects 

 like those used by men, their size and weight 

 only excepted— not mere playthings. It is a 

 happy thought, and I hope that, ere long, we 

 shall be supplied with such from the stores, 

 as a regular matter of business. 



Allow me to remark, in passing, our farm- 

 ing implements are made too heavy and 

 clumsy, that they might have a greater ap- 

 pearance of strength; this I have discovered 

 to be an error. My neighbor Kendall's tools ■ 

 were made so large and heavy, particularly 

 the handles of liis rakes, shovels and forks, 

 that it was difficult to grasp them ; and I 

 have known his men,designedly, toput them 

 under the wheels of his wagons, to break 

 them. At last, he 'got one conttructed of light 

 materials, and then the men looked out for 

 that, to take care it did not get injured — This 

 convinced him oi his error. 



Too little regard is paid to the children of 

 Farmers ; they are generally considered an 

 inferior class, destined to turn the sod, of 

 which they are supposed to form a part, and 

 to be beneath the care and attention which is . 

 bestowed upon those intended for the count- 

 ing house or worksiiop. But why should this 

 be^3 All admit that the employment is the 

 most independent, and favorable to reflection 

 and observation, and the time is not far dis- 

 tant, when it will nlso be admitted that the 

 scope which it oflers for experiment and im- 

 provement, is not inferior to, what are called, 

 the professional labors. 



I have long thought that there is room for 

 a lad's b(;ok on this subject, which, if it were ' 



