THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



21 



splendid mansion only for show, he might create 

 fertility where all was barrenness, and add to 

 his own wealth, while he bestowed comfort and 

 happiness upon those he would employ in culti- 

 vating his land. Besides he might by his abi- 

 lity and means, show to the poorer class of cul- 

 tivators by whom he might be surrounded, nu- 

 merous experiments and improvements in the 

 science of agriculture. 



Let us then try to create a taste and fashion, 

 for that is the despotic rule, to induce those re- 

 tiring from city life, to settle in the country and 

 devote themselves to agricultural pursuits ; in- 

 stead of a life of idleness, ennui, and miserable 

 existence, for want of something to engage their 

 minds upon, as we know is the case with the 



habitants of many of the "beautiful mansions" 

 which we see in the suburbs of every city. 



I have the pleasure of writing myself your 

 friend, 



Solon Robinson. 



Note. — We have had the beginning of a 

 severe winter. The last half of November very 

 cold, and good sleighing, which is an uncommon 

 thing in this latitude, which is 41^°. 



Agricultural productions all extremely low — 

 our market is Chicago, on Lake Michigan, and 

 thence to New York or Canada. 



Wheat 38 a 45 cents; Com 16 a 18 cents; 

 Oats 10 a 12| cents; Pork 1 a 1£ cents; Beef 

 1 1^ a 2 cents ; Tallow 6 cents ; Lard 4 a 5 cents, 



DYNAMOMETER. 



We have been frequently asked what a Dy- 

 namometer was, and we have concluded to illus- 

 trate the explanation with an engraving. The 

 word literally means a measurer of strength, and 

 it has long been employed to test the extent of 

 muscular power. The implement is made in 

 various forms, which are all modifications of the 

 one represented in the engraving. It will be 

 readily understood that any force applied at 

 either end of the elliptical spring, the other end 

 being stationary, will by compressing the spring 

 cause the lever (D), to give motion to the index 

 (E), the lever and the index being both fastened 

 to a small plate, which revolves on a pin at (F). 



To such perfection has that invaluable imple- 

 ment, the plough, been brought, in the execution 

 of its work, that the great contest now amongst 



the manufacturers is to furnish the plough thai 

 will do its work with the least draught ; this is 

 a point of the greatest importance to the farmer, 

 and only secondary to the quality of the work. 

 To ascertain the ease of draught, is then the 

 great object of the dynamometer. One end of 

 the spring is fastened to the plough whilst the 

 other is attached to the team ; the force exerted 

 is indicated by the movement of the index 

 through the scale. 



This implement answers very well for the 

 purpose for which it was originally intended, 

 viz. to ascertain the power of animal muscle 

 when exerted against a fixed and immoveable 

 cbject ; but here the object is to ascertain, not 

 the power of the team, but the resistance of the 

 plough. This resistance varies with the move- 



