1836.] 



FARMERS' REGISTER. 



S77 



cornstalks, &c. The stalks being generally large, 

 and the quantity great, compared to the treading 

 and animal matter received, they were but little 

 broken. On this account, the whole yard was 

 chopped over with sharp hilling-hoes, by which 

 the stalks were reduced to pieces ol'not more than 

 8 inches long. The Avhole were then heaped, as 

 usual, to be brought by termentation to a state fit 

 for the tobacco land. The heap was examined at 

 several times, and the heat lound to be more mo- 

 derate than usual : and when cut down for use, 

 at a later period of the spring, the manure was in 

 the most perfect condition — that soft "cheesy" 

 state, which English farmers call "spit dung," 

 from the ease with which a spade cuts into the 

 heap — and there was not a spot fire-langed, or 

 showing that white mould which is evidence ol 

 violent and destructive fermentation. 



Now, to mix fresh lime with highly putres- 

 cent matter, (as was theanimal part of this mas?,) 

 Fcems contrary to all proper deductions ti'om che- 

 mical laws. Caustic lime, in sufTicient quanti- 

 ty, rapidly decomposes and consumes animal or 

 other very putrescent matter — and fermentation 

 alone, also decomposes it, and injures its value, or 

 lessens its amount. Here both these difTerent de- 

 composing powers were suffered to act together, 

 and the combined effecis seem to have been highly 

 beneficial. Can it be that two decomposing pow- 

 ers, acting differently, serve to counteract, and 

 lessen the violence of each other, so that the joint 

 effect of both is less hurtful, or dangerous, than 

 would be the use of either one alone? It should 

 be observed that in this case, the proportion of 

 lime to the whole mass was very small. 



The makingofAi7/s for planting tobacco, which 

 heretofore has been universally considered indis- 

 pensable, is now abandoned by some planters : in 

 time, this practice, though more tenaciously ad- 

 hered to, will follow that of hilling corn, which 

 formerly was universal, and deemed absolutely 

 necessary, and which is disappearing wherever 

 reason and experiment are allowed to operate. 



It was a matter both of surprise and regret for 

 me to hear, on Wardsfbrk, that the value of gra- 

 duated ditches and beds, to prevent the washing 

 by rains on hilly lands, was estimated less highly 

 than formerly, by some of those who used them. 

 But, upon observation of the existing practice, 

 and conversing with several who entertained dif- 

 ferent opinions concerning the proper modes, and 

 effects, I had no reason to think less highly than 

 before of hill-side ditches, or beds, as described 

 and advocated by several writers in the first vo- 

 lume of the Farmers' Register. The lines for 

 these ditches are often carelessly and incorrectly 

 marked off — and in consequence, may do more 

 harm than good. Besides, none that I saw, even 

 where most effectual and most approved, seemed 

 to me large enough to resist the heaviest floods 

 from falling rain. Another cause of their beinff 

 considered less important, is, that after the land 

 acquires a good cover of clover, and it has been 

 ploughed under, the soil resists washing; so well, 

 that the farmer is tempted to dispense with a prac- 

 tice, which, however serviceable, is certainly at- 

 tended with much trouble, and requires more skill 

 and care than most overseers can or will exercise. 

 Though there is far less of hilly land in the lower 

 country, yet its sub-soil is of less worth, and there- 

 fore more disposed to be washed into giillevs : and 



Vol. IV— 48 



j for that reason, I think that this improvement is 

 j more wanting there, than on the more hilly lands, 

 I but better soils of Charlotte. I know, from expe- 

 I rience, tfiat horizontal or graduated plouw:hing, in 

 narrow beds, without the ditches, in the lower 

 country, causes washing to be even more destruc- 

 tive than before. 



I am sensible that observations made as hastily, 

 and therefore as imperfectly as these, are in them- 

 selves but of little value, even if correct ; and per- 

 haps are incorrect, owing to the haste, and pecu- 

 liar disadvantages under which the writer was 

 compelled to make and note his observations. But 

 if these remarks have ever so little worth, as con- 

 veying information directly, it is hoped that indi- 

 rectly, they will promote that end far better. It 

 has been my object to draw forth from the indivi- 

 duals whose labors are referred to, as well as 

 others, more full and correct statements on these 

 and other interesting subjects relating to agricul- 

 liu'e ; and if I have made mistaken and erroneous 

 statements, the corrections can be easily afforded, 

 together with mucfi more of the interesting and 

 instructive matter, which very many farmers of 

 this region can well furnish. 



A GLEANER. 



For the farmers' Register. 

 IMPROVEMENT OF THE APPOMATTOX RIVER, 



The Appomattox from Farmville to Petersburg, 

 is but little wider than a first rate canal. It lias 

 bold high banks, and a very moderate fall, not ex- 

 ceeding an average of one and a half feet to the 

 mile, from Farmville, to the head of the canal, near 

 Petersburg, a distance by the river of ninety-six 

 miles. The mode of improvement adopted is the 

 lock and dam ; the effect of which, when comple- 

 ted, will be to render the bed of the river a perfect 

 canal, with no more lockage than would be neces- 

 sary in a lateral canal of the same length — and al- 

 thongh the navigation of this canal, made of the 

 bed of the river, will be liable to the difficulties 

 arising from the freshets in the stream, yet these 

 disadvantages will be more than counterbalanced 

 by the cheapness and security of the improve- 

 ments, compared to a lateral canal. Lateral canah 

 are liable to frequent breaches in the numerous 

 embankments, bridges, arches, and tunnels, and 

 filling with mud, settling from the water flowing 

 into the canal, and from the hill sides. The bed 

 of the river is cleared out by the natural process of 

 the strong currents which occur in freshets — and 

 it is easy so to secure the locks and dams as to 

 render them safe against any rise of water. The 

 tow path of a canal will be wanting to this im- 

 provement ; but steam which is cheaper and bet- 

 ter, can be used instead of any other propelling 

 powerj and it has been generally considered that 

 steam power would be injurious to canals. The 

 loclis are constructing of such a size as to admit 

 of the use of boats of much larger size, than those 

 at present used, and with a view to the use of such 

 steamboats as are now used with great advantage 

 on the Connecticut River, both for passengers, and 

 for towing freight boats. The work is progres- 

 sing as rapidly as circumstances will permit, and 

 will probably be so far completed in eighteen 

 months as to realize great advantages to the trade 

 of the river, as well as to the farmers who reside 



