74 Observations on Colonel Taylor'' s Letter. 



hours. His slaves might here be taught, by selections ; 

 and when taught, turned on his common farms, im- 

 proved m themselves, and exemplary to others. But the 

 southern gentlemen object to mixing slaves of different 

 habits together. It has I believe, never been systema- 

 tically tried. 



Yours very truly, 



Richard Peters. 



Dr. James Mease. 



I think the magotty bay bean operates like Mr. Taylor's 

 bird-foot clover, in some respects. It fertilizes by cover, and 

 rotting down its vegetation continually. It seeds plentifully j 

 and renews itself constantly. For I'ght sandy soils it has been 

 much used in Maryland ; and elsewhere. But it is only fit 

 to prepare for grain crops ; which it wonderfully assists. It 

 excludes clover and other grasses, by keeping the sole posses- 

 sion of any ground it once fully occupies. Being a legume, 

 it does not exhaust. We have tried it some years ago ; but 

 disliked it, as being injurious to the clover system. Cattle 

 and sheep feed on it : and it is good where nothing better is 

 to be had. It grows on light and barren soils, where better 

 products will not thrive, 



R. P. 



