Culture of melons, &c. 143 



indicated soundness j but, t>n unlaying the rope and drawing the 

 yarns, it was found, after trying 20 yarns of each separately, that 

 those of the dew-rotted hemp, prepared with pyroligneous acid, 

 suspended, upon an average, only sixteen pounds, while those of 

 the unrotted hemp sustained only eighteen pounds, although, when 

 new, the yarns of either would have suspended at least 125 lbs. 



From these facts, the conclusion appears irresistible, that Ameri- 

 can hemp requires only the same process of preparation practised 

 in Russia, to render American cordage fully as good, for every 

 species of service, as cordage made of Russia hemp. For the pro- 

 cess practised in Russia, in the preparation of their hemp for mar- 

 ket, the Commissioners would respectfully refer to the report whicli 

 they had the honor to make on the 1 7th November, 1 824. 

 I have the honor to be. 



With great respect, sir. 



Your obedient servant, 



JOHN ROGERS. 

 Hon. Sam'l L. Southard, Sec. of the Kavy, 

 [To be continued.] 



CULTURE OF MELONS ON CLAYEY SOIL, 



It has been found that if a hole be dug in a clayey soil, well- 

 manured, and then filled up with fine sand, melons may be raised 

 with comparatively less labor and care, and of better flavor than 

 on the clay alone. The cause is probably owing to the sand's re- 

 taining the heat of the sun longer than the clay. With a view of as- 

 certaining the fact, some sand was carted upon a stitFcold clay soil, 

 and distributed as above. After it had been there a few days, the 

 comparative heat of the two soils, was tested by a delicate ther- 

 mometer. The experiment was tried at a quarter before 7 o'clock 

 A. M. The thermometer stood in the shade at 58°. It was then 

 buried one inch beneath the sand, in which the melons were plant- 

 ed, and suffered to remain two minutes. When taken out it was 

 found to be 4° higher than when it was put in. It was buried the 

 same depth, in the clay soil, about a foot from the sand, and suffer- 

 ed to remain the same length of time. On taking it out the mercu- 

 ry had sunk 4°. The thermometer was then laid, with its tube 

 upon the surface of the sand, and suffered to remain the same time, 

 as before. On taking it up, it was found to have risen 6°. \i was 

 then laid in a similar manner and for the same length of time, upon 

 the surface of the clay, and on taking it up, it was found to have 

 lost 5" of temperature. It may be well to state that there was a 

 bright sun, shining at the time. The same experiments were tried 

 at noon, and the difference of temperature was found to be 8°. 



