VOL. XV. KO. 40. 



AND GARDENER'S JOURNAL 



\ 



315 



ROTATION OP CROPS, POTATOES AND CORN. 



Rotation of crops, is cert.'iinly among the most 

 valuable of tlie modern improvements in agricul- 

 ture. The scientific researches of many ibrmers 

 have onahled them to discover some of the prin- 

 ciples of vegetation, formerly but little understood. 

 And it is belicve<l that they will gejierally soon be 

 fidly convinced by experiment of the great benefits 

 to be derived from rotation of crops. The ilifferent 

 kinds of vegetables require nutriment peculiar to 

 each class, and by planting the same kind on the 

 satne soil for a number o( years in succession, the 

 vegetables or plants degenerate for the want of 

 tlieir [leculiar aliment; or as the common expres- 

 sion is, the soil becomes exhausted. It is thenifore 

 conceih'd to be an injudicious practice to cultivate 

 the same crop, upon the same soil, for even two 

 years in succession. 



The same remark is apjjlicable in horticulture; 

 although a |)leiitiful supply of manure annually, 

 may aft'jrd some remedy for a previously exhausted 

 soil. 



By a judicious succession of crops, and the fre- 

 quent use of that most important instrument to 

 fiirmers, the plough, the fertility of the soil may be 

 maintained. So many valuable essays have of late 

 been published upon this subject, that we will not 

 extend our remarks ; but beg leave to refer to that 

 of J. Hamilton Conper, republished in the Northern 

 Farmer of 9lh March 1833, as containing much 

 valuable information, and as being worlhj' of an 

 attentive perusal. Connected with this subject is 

 the adaptation of the different soils to the various 

 kinds of plants. Many skiltid farmers acquire 

 some practical knowledge of this subject, without 

 understanding its true principles. Indeed, these 

 l)rinciples cannot be well understood without the 

 aid of the science of Chemistry. Chemical Science 

 is indis|)ensal)le to the Physician; but it falls not 

 exclusively within his province. The ])ractical 

 farmer will find it of vast service in his pursuit. 

 Its study ought therefore to be encouraged. 



By ascertaining the food which different kinds of 

 vegetables require, and the nutritious qualities of 

 the various soils, the agriculturist is enabled to de- 

 cide how he can, generally, produce the largest 

 crops, with the least labor and expense. 



He cannot have sufficient foresigiit to guard 

 against unpropitious seasons; but acting upon en- 

 lightened principles and correct theories, his pros- 

 pects of a good harvest will seldom be cut off. 

 Our present object is to submit a few remarks upon 

 two of our most es.seniial agricultural products, 

 potatoes and corn. 



In this section we raise no vegetable of greater 

 profit or more general use than the potato. — And 

 its annual cousutn|)tion seeems to be yet on the in- 

 crease. We learn from aged persons, that some 

 fifty or sixty years ago, ten or fifteen bushels of po- 

 tatoes were considered as a large crop for each 

 farmer; and at that period, it was as uncommon 

 for a slaughtered i-wine to weigh 250 lbs. as it now 

 is, to weigh seven or eight hundred — Now, a 

 thousand bnshels or even fifteen hundred, is not an 

 uncommon crop, upon a farm of one hundred and 

 fifty or two hundred acres. 



It has been believed by many, that high, sandy, 

 or gravelly soils are best adapted to the growth of 

 potatoes. But the modern theory, proved liy ex- 

 periment, is, that a low, cold bottom, or clay-pan is 

 preferable. I have for several years cultivated this 

 vegetable upon a low, level, clay-pan, taking care to 

 have proper drains in case of hea^y rains; and 

 find that it not only yields largely, but that the 

 quality or flavor of the potato is superior to that of 

 those produced on high, sandy soils. A cold bot- 

 tom is more congenial to them. And it is generally 

 known, that in a cold, wet season, they flourish 

 better, than in a very warm and dry one. But 

 when planted in low lands, the drains should al- 

 ways be kept open, to prevent overflowing. 



It is said that in some pars of Ireland, famous 



for excellent potatoes, the potatoes are ]jlanted in 

 low, and boggy lands, in beds, between which a 

 ditch or drain is cut ; arul that the mud or most nu- 

 tritious portion of the soil which gradually collects 

 in these ditches, is taken up to cover the potatoes. 

 The practice, which many farmers are adopting, of 

 laying out their low and marshy lands into beds 

 rising in the centre, of four or five rods in width, 

 with intervening drains, running towards a com- 

 mon outlet, will prove bigldy beneficial ; and when 

 there shall be a great increase of population, and 

 the value of our lauds shall be greatly enhanced, 

 this practice will be adopted by all good farmers. 

 It will then be admitted by all, that our valleys, and 

 svvanjps contain the most fertile soil. In these, 

 have been collecting for ages, decomposed vegeta- 

 ble mailer, which constitutes the deep black soil. 

 This kind of soil conveyed on to high sandy bar- 

 ren land, with a mixture of animal manure, will 

 convert the latter into fruitful fields. And the fer- 

 tility of the low land is increased by spreading u|ion 

 its surface, loose sand or gravel from the hills. 



The old practice of making the potato hill in an 

 oval form or the shape of a sugar loafi is very cen- 

 surable. The same remark is ap|)licable to the 

 corn hill. Because, hills so formed, do not absorb 

 so much moisture, when the rain deseends, as hills 

 flat at the to[). 



It is believed that a former practice of planting 

 small potatoes, is now universally condemneil. 

 But many are yet of opinion, that it is as judicious 

 to plant cut potatoes, or slips, or the eyes, as whole 

 potatoes. This practice is contrary to the course 

 of nature. Nature is always right, in all her oper- 

 ations. The Farmer should take nature for his 

 great and luierriiig guide. — Hundreds of various 

 theories have been published upon this important 

 point. The result of our observations and reflec- 

 tions, respecting it, is, that it is always best to plant 

 the best potatoes whole, except those containing too 

 many eyes, of lumsuully largesize. The latter may 

 be ilivi(led. I raised a potato, iierfectly sound, of 

 an oval form, weighing two and a half jjounds. 

 This I cut into twelve pieci>s, which from twelve 

 hills, yielded two bnshels. If slips are planted, the 

 |)lants or sprouts come up more slender and (iicble. 

 In favorable seasons, they may often look very well, 

 but not so well as those from the whole potato. 

 Caie should be taken to jirevent the growtli of too 

 many s[irouts or stalks. Four or five in a common 

 bill are suflicient. The size of the potato depends 

 very mucli upon the number of stalks, and the size 

 as well as richness of the bill. Potatoes degener- 

 ate by means of an improper mode of cultivation, 

 and not from the climate. This vegetable of ines- 

 timable value contributes most to the health, growth 

 and fatness of cattle, after being boiled, (r steamed. 

 It ought never to be given to swine in a raw state, 

 unless, (lossibly, in the warmest season of the year, 

 after being partially dried. 



The common practice of mutilating corn stalks, 

 or " topping corn," before the ear has come to ma- 

 turity, ought to be condemned. It may be difKcult 

 to account for the origin of so singular a practice. 

 But we trust that its termination will not be at a day 

 far distant. It stands opposed to reason and philos- 

 ophy. But our suggestions upon this imjwrtant 

 subject must be deferred until a more convenienl 

 time. W. CLAGGETT. 



Portsmoth, February 19. 



Mr. CruntPs New Work on Americans. 

 AMERICAIV BOYS. 



An American ot ten or twelve years of age, is as 

 much of a young man as an European at sixteen ; 

 and when arrived at that age, he is as useful in bus- 

 iness, and as much to be relied on, as a German at 

 24, or a Frenchman at 50. Something similar to it 

 may also be found in England : but neither climate 

 nor education promote it to the same extent as in 

 America. From the earliest period of his life a 

 yoimg American is accustomed to rely upon him- 

 self as the principal artificer af his fortune. What- 



ever he learns or studies is with a view to future 

 application, and the moment lie leaves school he 

 immerses into active life. His reputation, from the 

 time he is able to think, is the object of his most 

 anxious care, as it must afl!ect his future standing in 

 society, and increase the sphere of his usefulness. 



AMERICAN LOVE OF OCCDPATION. 



There is probably no people on earth with whom 

 business constitiues pleasiu'c, and industry, amuse- 

 ment, in nti equal degree with the iidiabitanls of 

 the United Stales of America. Active occupation 

 is not only the princifial somre of their happiness, 

 and the foumlation of their national greatness, bat 

 they are absolutely wretched without it, and instead 

 of the " dolce far meiite," know but the horrors of 

 idleness. Business is the very soul of an Ameri- 

 can ; he pursues it, not as a means of ]irocuring lor 

 himself and his family the necessary comforts of 

 life, but as the liiuulain of all human ielicily. From 

 the earliest hour in the morning until late at night, 

 the streets arc thronged by men of all trades and 

 ])rofession.i, each following his vocation like a per- 

 peluum mobile, as if he never dreamed of a cessa- 

 tion from labor, or the possibility of becoming fa- 

 tigued. Neither is this hurry of business confined 

 to the large cities — it communicates itself to every 

 village and liandet, and extends to and penetrates 

 the western forests. It is as if all America were 

 lint one gigantic workshop, over the entrance of 

 which there is the blazing inscription, "Ao admit- 

 tance here except on business." 



"Meadow Land," sold last week in Northamp- 

 ton, according to the Courier, at prices almost un- 

 examjiled in that town. Four acres in Old Rain- 

 bow, which is overflowed by the Connecticut ri\er 

 freshets, leaving a luxurious vegetable deposite, 

 sold for .$193 [)er acre. One acre sold at .$169. 

 Three acres at $101 per acre. Seven at $153 each. 

 Three and a quarter acres in Ventiue's fields, at 

 .$136 per acre. Four and a half acres on middle 

 Meadow Hill, at $1 17 per acre. Two and a half 

 acres, at $125 for each acre. 



Th'' ancient elm in Woodbridge N. J. fronting 

 the " Elm Tree Tavern," from its decayed state, 

 has been cut down ; the trunk was hollow aHcl 

 measured S'i feet in' circumference, capable of ac- 

 commodating 15/nen standing upright within. One 

 limb measurea.15 feet in circumference. About 

 half a barrel of honey, of exquisite quality and fla- 

 vor, was found in the tree. 



Oil. — The oil of Indian corn is used in Cincinnati 

 as a substitute for sperm or whale oil. It is said to 

 produce an equal quantity of light, to be quite as 

 transparent and free from disagreeable odour, in 

 addition to which it is not subject to freezing, having 

 resisted the greatest degree of cold diirina the present 

 season — say degrees below zero. The yielil of 

 oils is said to be half a gallon to the bushel, without 

 destroying the qualities of tlie grain for distillaiion. 



Sweet Api'LE Bi!Ead. — Peel and quarter the 

 sweet appl(!s, put them into a pan, cover it with 

 paste, bake theih till quite soft, rub them through 

 a coarse sieve,.take the pulp thus obtained, knead 

 in flour to a proper temper, putting in yea-t and 

 shortening sufficient. — Me. JFhr. 



Wueat. — Several vessels arrived yesterday, with 

 further supplies of this stafl'of life. At Philadelphia 

 and Baltimore, the arrivals of wheat are large, and 

 the sales every where small. As soon, however, as 

 the mills are accessible, there will be an increased 

 demand. A great deal of it makes excellent flour. — 

 Jou. of Com. 



Grains of w hole jicpper, put into a vessel in 

 which cheese is kept, will drive away mites. 



