G66 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



was the cold, properly speaking, which occa- 

 sioned both ; and that the deio hfld no other effect 

 in occasioning the rust than, as by hanging on 

 the stalk, it may increase the chill. 



Another fact which, I think, confirms this 

 hypothesis is this : that the ihin leaves and slen- 

 derest parts of the stalk are always first affect- 

 ed ; on the stalks the spots appear first just 

 below the ear. Here the stalk being smallest 

 and the vessels narrowest, is the first stoppage 

 by the chill, as might be expected. And ac- 

 cordingly just below this the first eruption ap- 

 pears ; and so lower and lower, till, without 

 relief, it covers the whole, and entirely ruins 

 the grain if not already filled. 



It is another well known fact, that grounds 

 in our new settlements are much less exposed 

 to mildews than in our old plantations which 

 have been often dunged. The reason of this 

 is plain upon this hypothesis, for dung heaps 

 are known in summer to receive and retain a 

 much greater degree of heat than common 

 earth. 



There can be no doubt therefore, but that 

 dunged lands do the same in proportion to the 

 dung, especially the new laid upon them. And 

 if so, it must occasion a more violent ascent of 

 the juices, and so the stalk will proportionably 

 be in more danger of bursting and of an extra- 

 vasation of the juices, upon a sudden chill in 

 the stalk. 



Another fact commonly observed is, that high 

 fP'ounds are not so exposed to mildews as lower. 

 The reasons are plain upon this h3'pothesis. 



1st. Because there is not so much difference 

 between the weather in the day and night upon 

 high grounds, as in the lower. 



2d. Because the greater motion of the air in 

 the high land, may in some measure prevent 

 the stagnation of the juices. 



But most of these things are very hard to 

 account for, upon any other hypothesis I have 

 ever seen. 



Upon this plan too a high wind nu'll be likely 

 to prevent a mildew ; and accordingly, I think, 

 they are never known to come in a windy night, 

 though cold. And a shoiver, or a rope passed 

 over the fields, at this time may do some ser- 

 vice ; as the washing and cleansing a sore on 

 an animal, or as any kind of motion in case of 

 stagnation of the blood and juices of our bodies. 



But though I take this, for the reasons given, 

 to be the true cause of what are called mildews, 

 from the knowledge of which, it has been hoped 

 some remedy might be investigated ; yet here 

 I must own my ignorance, and leave it to some 

 more happy genius to bless mankind with a 

 remedy, if providence permits any. ' 



« -yr -H- 



I would just hint at one or two things. 1st. 

 If the unhappy night or nights can be prog- 

 nosticated from the symptoms above mention- 

 ed, possibl}'' a roye moving over the field, and 

 stirring the grain all the night might be of ser- 

 vice, though I think shaking off the dew in the. 



morning can be of but little; or 2d. In the 

 woods where brush is plenty, the burning of 

 brush on the windward side, so that the smoke 

 shall pass over the field, and soften the air, 

 might very probably be of service. 



* * 75- -X- 



But as our mildews in New England most 

 commonly come about the beginning of July, 

 the only thing we can depend upon at present, 

 is the using every method to bring forward our 

 grain as early as possible, that it may be full 

 and ripe before the mildews come. 



A NEW ENGLANDER. 



For the Planter. 



Corn-Shucking. 



Mr. Editor, — In many parts of Virginia, it 

 has for a long period been customary among 

 some farmers to solicit assistance in shucking 

 their corn in November and December, annu- 

 ally. The corn is hauled up and the proprie- 

 tor, or his overseer, wants to get one, two or 

 three hundred bushels of corn shucked during 

 one night. To accomplish this object, the 

 slaves for several miles around and upon adja- 

 cent fiirms are invited to attend, and to induce 

 them to do so. they are notified, that they will 

 receive a good supper and a plenty of whiske^r. 

 As might be expected there is a large assembly 

 of negroes, a large amount of corn is shucked, 

 many songs are sung, a hearty supper eaten, 

 and a great deal of mean whiskey swallowed. 

 Towards the conclusion of the frolic, quarrels 

 and fights occur which sometimes terminate 

 most disastrously. Many years ago my obser- 

 vation convinced me that these assemblies were 

 improper, because they tended to corrupt and 

 debase the slaves. I have never had one of 

 these fashionable corn-shuckings, but have al- 

 ways had m3^ corn shucked by my own slaves. 



Unwilling that my slaves should be exposed 

 to the liability to become involved in quarrels 

 and fights by attending any corn-shucking else- 

 where, I gave them strict orders never to go to 

 one without my special leave. I directed my 

 overseer to repeat these orders from time to 

 time. Notwithstanding these precautions, a 

 neighbour of mine invited my negroes some 12 

 or 15 years ago, (without the knowledge or 

 permission of myself or overseer,) to attend a 

 corn-shucking on his farm. Several of my ne- 

 groes accepted the invitation. Corn was shuck- 

 ed, songs were sung and whiskey drank. Soon 

 after, quarrels and tights took place. The re- 

 sult was that a young and valuable negro man 

 of mine w^as killed on the spot by another ne- 

 gro who was drunk and who was the assailant. 

 The latter was subsequently tried and condemn- 

 ed to bo hung. 



My negro man was killed when in th'e em- 

 ployment of my neighbour, and as he was thus 

 employed without my leave and in disregard of 

 my orders, I might have sued and would pro- 

 bably have recovered the estimated value of 



