and Rural Economist. 89 



introduced upon the American farms, we should find little diffi- 

 culty in naturalising them." (p. "-II.) This is a remarkable fact, 

 which was long ago noticed by Mr. Cobbett. There are very 

 few perennial grasses indigenous to Russia; and we believe the 

 same thing is the case in all countries having winters of six or 

 seven months' duration. It is certain, however, that perennial 

 grasses will live and thrive in such countries ; though it cannot 

 be expected that they should yield as much produce in them 

 as in those countries where they are kept in a growing state 

 nearly the whole year. The perennial grasses in the neighbour- 

 hood of Edinburgh are in a dormant state for three months in 

 every year: in the neighbourhood of London they are not in 

 the same state for more than two or three weeks. In general, 

 in all countries having long winters, annual and biennial grasses 

 will be found to produce larger crops than perennials. Clover 

 and rye-grass produce immensely both in Poland and Russia, 

 and we have no doubt they would do so also in America ; where 

 it appears, however, that the red clover is not much known, 

 though the white clover is produced in some districts sponta- 

 neously. For hedges, the ^hamnus catharticus is preferred, in 

 some parts of the country, either to the hawthorn or the locust 

 tree; and, in other parts, the Cratae^gus cordata is preferred to 

 the Cratae^gus Oxyacantha. Mangold wurtzel is much cultivated, 

 and upwards of 33^ tons have been raised on an acre. A plough, 

 formed wholly of cast iron, is in general use among the best 

 farmers ; but there are a number of other sorts, with American 

 names, which, being neither figured nor described, we are unable 

 to judge of with regard to their merits. " The tree and bush 

 puller is one of the most useful and effective implements in use ; 

 it is employed in clearing land of under-brush, small trees, bar- 

 berry, and other bushes. It is of iron, of any size or dimensions 

 required, something in the form of a rake or claw, with the teeth 

 much bent. The ground is loosened around the tree or bush 

 which is to be removed. The teeth, or claws, are entered on 

 one side, a horse or oxen are attached by a chain to the claw, 

 and drawn on the opposite side. One man and horse, or one 

 yoke of oxen, will do more work with this implement than five 

 men can do without it, in digging and clearing land." (p. 339.) 

 The work concludes with a calendar of operations to be per- 

 formed throughout the year. 



Though this volume is, for the greater part, compiled from 

 British publications, yet there is enough in it to enable us to 

 form some idea of the state of agriculture in the United States. 

 The most remarkable feature is, the great number and variety 

 of the implements and machines in use. This forms a very 

 striking contrast to the infant state of agriculture in Britain, 

 where, a century ago, there was not more than one kind of 



Vol. XI. —No. 39. h 



