THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



271 



and places, with a startling statement of prac- 

 tices that are resorted to by some of these gen- 

 tlemen. 



We would take this occasion to say to all 

 our friends within striking distance of Rich- 

 mond, that our old friend, Mr. Joseph Sinton, 

 is prepared to supply any orders for fruit trees 

 of the very best kinds. We believe the most 

 implicit faith, may be placed in the integrity and 

 honor of Mr. Sinton. He has been long tried, 

 and as far as we know, his trees have given 

 universal satisfaction. 



MANUFACTURE OF MANURE. 



If you have a family and keep a horse and 

 cow — or cow only — you are able to manufac- 

 ture, annually, one hundred cords of manure, 

 which shall be worth to you or to purchasers, 

 who will be glad to pay you the money for it, 

 nine shillings, or even two dollars per cord. 



Suppose your barn is near your house. Sup- 

 pose, also, you dig and stone up a large vault 

 under the barn, into which all the urine of the 

 horse or cow, and their other excrements, shall 

 be deposited. Let your sink drain also lead into 

 this repository. On the wajr, between the sink 

 and the barn, let the privy be placed, under 

 which the soap suds and other washings from 

 the sink shall be discharged, on a plank floor, 

 into the depository under the barn. Let that be 

 the common receptacle of the sink, privy and 

 stable. Keep a horse or ox cart, or even a 

 wheel barrow, — and between April and Novem- 

 ber, be sure to carry into that vault sods or other 

 materials from the roads and fields, amounting 

 to three cords per week, for the whole season. 

 The next spring you will have at least, one hun- 

 dred and fifty cords of manure, saturated with 

 animal and human excrement, and the washings 

 of the sink and wash rooms, which will be of 

 the strongest and best kinds, and which will be 

 worth every cent of two dollars per cord. In all 

 human probability, the contents would bring you 

 two hundred dollars. Is this not worth the 

 pains ? It may all be made so much clear gain, 

 with little or no pecuniary cost to the house- 

 keeper. — IV. A. Drew's Plough Boy. 



For the Southern Planter. 



OVERSEERS. 



Mr. Editor, — I am suffering under the most 

 intolerable thraldom to which a poor devil was 

 ever subjected, and unless you in your wisdom 

 can afford me some relief, I must give up in 

 despair. I am afflicted with an overseer, who 

 is one of the most faithful, industrious, obstinate, 

 hard-headed and conceited beings that ever 



walked on two legs. I am a young farmer, 

 lately come into the possession of a large estate, 

 and the fellow's knowledge of the practical and 

 mechanical part of my business, is absolutely 

 necessary to me ; moreover, his hard-fisted hones- 

 ty, notwithstanding his ignorance and obstinacy, 

 prevents me from discharging him. In short, 

 sir, I fear the old man of the sea was not seated 

 more securely on the shoulders of poor Sinbad, 

 than is this fellow on my premises. But whilst 

 he continues here, I am the veriest slave on the 

 plantation ; for I have no will of my own. I 

 am fond of reading agricultural works, and 

 sometimes indulge in ideas of very extensive 

 and judicious improvements ; but to carry them 

 out I am compelled to resort to the practical as- 

 sistance of Mr. R., the gentleman before men- 

 tioned. Accordingly, in the blandest and most 

 conciliating manner in the world, I suggest to 

 him the advantage of trying some improved 

 mode of culture that I have seen highly recom- 

 mended in the Planter. He answers, " of course 

 if I order him to do it he will try it, but he 

 knows it will never do in the world ;" and sure 

 enough, it never does " do." If at considerable 

 pains and expense I procure some improved im- 

 plement, which has been brought to my notice 

 in my agricultural papers, no matter how admi- 

 rably it may work for a day or two, whilst I am 

 superintending it, in a little time I find it laid 

 up in the barn, and I am briefly informed that 

 it is " out of order and of no manner of ac- 

 count." Thus, notwithstanding my great de- 

 sire to adopt and profit by the improvements of 

 the age, notwithstanding I feel confident that 

 by improved culture the product of my farm 

 could be doubled, here I am, working exactly 

 as my great grandfather did before me, continu- 

 ing the same unscientific and destructive system 

 that my venerable ancestor pursued. Is not 

 this intolerable ? Yet, what am I to do ? My 

 neighbors tell me if I dismiss my present tyrant, 

 I shall probably get one in his place with more 

 conceit and less honesty. Will 3'ou, Mr. Editor, 

 assist me with your advice in this dilemma, and 

 oblige 



Your obedient servant, T. S. 



We feel for our friend, and will not withhold 

 from him the consolation and assistance our 

 poor advice can afford. In the first place then, 

 we say to him, discharge your overseer and at- 

 tend to your business yourself. With your su- 

 perior intelligence and information, you can 

 soon become infinitely better skilled in what you 

 call the " practical and mechanical part of your 

 profession," than the prejudiced, ignorant booby 

 you have described, ever could be. If you must 

 have a superintendent, take care to be superior 

 to him in every department of your business, 



