308 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



MARCH 11, 1«40. 



REPORT ON TREES AND LIVE HEDGES. 



The Committee of the Alassachusetts Society 

 for tho promotion of Agriculture, " On Trees and 

 Live llrduos," have attended to the application of 

 Daniel Stebbins, Esq., of Northampton, who has 

 submitted in due and regular form, his application 

 for a premium on an acre of the Yellow Locust, 

 contaiiiing over 1000 trees, the number made re- 

 quisite by the Society. 



The practice of Dr Stebbins will be publislied, 

 and is encouraging; in its course. 



It is not clearly stated whether the soil was cul- 

 tivated about the trees, or more extejisively. This 

 it would seem, might be iin advisable practice. 



Still the growth, considering the lightness or 

 sterility of the soil, was equal to what might bo ex- 

 pected in such case-. 



It would hardly be thought supposable, that the 

 Locust tree could favor the growth of the grass 

 about it; only when compared to other trees from 

 its foliage, it makes less shade. ' Still there are 

 many who hold the opinion of an actual increased 

 vegetation by the proximity of this tree with great 

 conlidence. 



Of tlio advantage to be derived from the raising 

 and multiplying the Locust, there would b# but one 

 opinion, if the ravages of the borer coitTd be pre- 

 vented. 



In ?i separate communication which accompanies 

 his others, Dr Stebbins speaks highly of the benlit 

 to be derived from an umbrageous situation, and of 

 creating a shade previously to setting out the lo- 

 cust, or of placing it in the forest even, where it 

 has beun asserted the worm would not follow. 

 Such is tiie durability and value of the timber of 

 the tree for most uses, that its protection and pre- 

 servation are well worthy the efforts of all agricul- 

 turists, an 1 to such the perusal of the remarks of 

 Dr Stebbins may be well recommended. 



It is said by some that these pestiferous worms 

 or insects that annoy the locust are lessening in- 

 number, and it is thought that they may disappear, 

 after having had a sojourn of three score years with 



the extent of 20 millions of dollars as is stated, may 

 be at lea.st lessened. 



'The committee further report that Dr Stebbius 

 has also made a communication, which is annexed, 

 on the subject of Live Hedges, in which it will be 

 seen he has bro\ight forward a thrifty growth of the 

 Honey Locust, of about 160 rods, which it is thought 

 may be interlocked so as to form a substantial and 

 durable hedge, which would offer an unexpected 

 variety to this mode of enclosurf, and be consider- 

 ed highly ornamental by many. 



But as the said hedge might, it is feared, be sub- 

 ject to the borer, and at any rate is not so far com- 

 pleted as to ensure its practical utility, however 

 favorably inclined to encourage Dr Stebbins's ar- 

 dor anc^enterprise, so laudably exercised, your Com- 

 mittee think it may be better considered hereafter. 



One other application has been made by Mr lienj. 

 N. Childs, which contains many good suggestions 

 of his experience in regard to the mulberry or silk 

 culture. But it is to be wished that the objects 

 aimed at for the advantages of the culture had been 

 further set forth. 



It is to be regretted that his own course of ex- 

 perience seems to indicate a suspicion or distrust 

 of his labors, as he observes what course he should 

 pursue "were he to commence again." 



The object of the Society it will be perceived is 

 to bring forward whatever yaj)orai/e results might 

 be derived from experience, and what means might 

 best conduce to enable the mulberry tree to sustain 

 the rigor of our climate. 



This is the desired result, and to be pursued as 

 far as reasonable expectation may be indulged ; — 

 when that fails, it must, however reluctantly, be 

 given up. — Of the heading down of the white mul- 

 berry, the practice needs confirmation ; and as to 

 the difficult and troublesome expedient of the re- 

 moval into cellars of some species of the mulberry 

 tree every fall, it must operate in its effects in a 

 manner highly discouraging. 



The suggestion made by Mr Child for the extir- 

 pating of the borer from the apple tree, adds to the 



ight of general opinion that some effect may be 

 "some of the tribes, however, seem to be making Produced by the use of ashes, lune and other caus- 

 their ravages on the flm and other trees, which 



have not before suffered. 



To this the attention off our husbandmen is 

 called, and we hope it majpiiot be in vain. 



For the communication oti the aforesaid planta- 

 tion, your committee report that the premium of 

 twentyfive dollars be allowed to Daniel Stobbins, 

 Esq. 



The same committee have also attended to a 

 communication made by the same gentleman, on 

 the subject of the Mulberry tree, in its relation to 

 the silk culture, and are of opinion that it contains 

 many useful remarks — and further, that in the in- 

 troduction of a new variety of the mulberry tree 

 by importation from Canton, of the seed which 

 promises a more hardy tree, and produces silk of a 

 better quality. Dr Stebbins is well entitled to the 

 premium of fifty dollars. 



It will be seen by this gentleman's communica- 

 tion that he has his doubts whether it would be 

 safe to leave this tree of new variety out through 

 the winter ; an object most earnestly to be looked 

 for. 



It is to be hoped that this, or some other mul- 

 berry tree may suit some parts of the climate of 

 New England, or if not, of the United States, and 

 be so cultivated that the immense import of silk to 



tic matter on the earth about the trees. It is to be 

 hoped that the commendable practice herein may 

 be continued by him, as well as pursued by others. 

 It may be that even the canker worm may be made 

 uncomfortable and be kept aloof from our foliage 

 and fruit. All of which is submitted. 



By order of the Committee, 



JOHN WELLES, Chairman. 



MR. STEBBINS'S STATEMENT. 



To Peter C. Brooks, Wm. Prescotl, E. H. Derby, Josiah 

 Quiocy, jr., and Elias Phinney, Esqrs., Committee of the 

 Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture ; 

 Gentle.men — Under the articles of " Trees and 

 Live Hedges" of not less than 50 rods, which shall 

 be in the most thriving condition in 1839, I em- 

 brace the privilege of iufornung you that in the 

 year 1834, I transplanted from my nursery four 

 thoiisand two hundred honey locust trees, from the 

 seed, being two years old, and set them around the 

 borders of a twelve acre lot, about 1(30 rods, ave- 

 raging about half a foot apart; some portions of 

 the lot adjoin heavy timber land, is partially shaded 

 and have grown but indifferently : other parts hav- 

 ing a better exposure, have grown very well, from 

 .5 to 8 feet, and'capable of being so interlocked, as 

 to make a durable and valuable fence. 



On a piece of dry sandy soil, situate between a 



portion of the honey locust hedge and the yellow 

 locust grove, described in another paper, I had 

 planted out some thousands of I^arge Leaf Canton 

 layers, which flourished very well, except on the 

 borders of the above mentioned hedge and grove:, 

 about one rod in width on either side, the mulberry 

 trees were of small size, of 4 to G Indies, while oth- 

 er parts out of the reach of the roots of the honey 

 and yellow locust, the trees were from two to four 

 feet, on tho same quality of soil : but where the 

 roots extended under adjoining grass ground, did 

 not perceive any injury. 



All of which is respectfully submitted by 



DaNIEL STEBBINS. 



At the reijuest of Dr Daniel Stebbins, we have 

 examined and measured his honey locust hedge, oi^ 

 Rocky Hill in Northampton, and find that more 

 than fifty rods of said hedge are in a flourishing 

 condition, and in our opinion will make a substan- 

 tial hedge, the whole length of which is overone 

 hundred and sixty rods. 



THEODORE WRIGllT, 

 WILLIAM W. COOK. 



Jsrarlhampton, Sept. 2rf, 1839. 



DOMES nC ECONOMY. 



Potash and soda are the two common and abun- 

 dant alkalies used in every family every day. The 

 first in the form of soap, pearlash, salaeratus, quick 

 lye, saltpetre, &c. The other in the form of com- 

 mon f-alt, (muriate of soda,) and sometimes in other 

 combinations. 



Lime and magnesia are called alkaline earths : 

 the former is frequently put with ashes in leach 

 tubs, where it absorbs the carbonic acid combined 

 with tlie ashes or potash, and by that means gives 

 it greater power in acting on the grease or oily mat- 

 ter used for the soap. It is more effectual than 

 red hot horse shoes in keeping witches from the 

 soap, and is more certain than either the new or full 

 moon, in gratifying industrious housewives with 

 " good luck" in this branch of domestic economy. 



Acids and alkalies neutralize each other. Con- 

 sequently, if an accident occurs from vinegar, sul- 

 phuric acid, (oil of vitriol,) nitric acid, (aqua fortis,) 

 muriatic acid, (spirit of salt,) or any other acid, ap- 

 ply potash, soda, ammonia, quick lime, magnesia, or 

 some alkali, or alkali«ie earth. 



If an accident occurs from an alkali, apply vine- 

 gar or a weak solution of some of the stronger 

 acids. 



By a knowledge of the properties and the rela- 

 tions of the two classes of substances constantly 

 used by house-keepers, stains on garments catkfre-. 

 quently be removed or prevented, cooking improv- 

 ed, and frequently life saved. 



Oxygen is the vitaf portion of the atmosphere, 

 and the agent which supports respiration, sustains 

 combustion, produces rust on metals, changes the 

 juice of the apple, first into sugar, then alcohol, then 

 vinegar, and finally putrefaction ; causes light and 

 sour bread, darkens the shade of certain colors, and 

 destroys others, and produces some influence on ev- 

 ery thing at all times. — Genesee Farmer. 



THE NEW KNGhAJiD PAltBIEK 



Is pubiished every VVedncsilay EveniDg, at S3 per annum 

 ])ayableat the end ol" the year — hut those who pay AvitlMi 

 sixty days from the lime of subscribing are entitled to a i c- 

 dud'ionof SB cents. 



