170 
SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 
wagons or carts loose '1 Are the tires loose on any of 
them 'I Do the hind wheels follow in the track of the 
front weels 1 The old adage, “a stitch in time,” fully ap- 
plies to the care of all farm implements and the economy 
of their use. 
FARM WORK. 
Have you examined all your ditches since the last rain, 
to see if they are opened all the way to the outlets '? If 
(there is any trash or drift in them, there is obstruction at 
some point, else they would keep themselves clean. Did 
you go immediately after the last rain to see if all your 
ditches were drawing, and did you notice any basins of 
water, from which a water furrow would lead off the 
water to a ditch 1 There is no use attempting to make, a 
crop on land partially covered with water for days. 
Vegetation cannot go on, and no prosperous growth can 
take place until the dry spell in the summer comes, which 
may be too late for maturity. Have you examined 
the machinery of your gin stands, and did you, at the 
close of last season, take out the brushes and hang 
them up where rats and mice could not reach, and so 
cover up the stand that it would not be filled with dust, 
and did you assure yourself, long before their being called 
into use, that all were in order I And, above all, were 
your baskets and sacks, and all other work, in readiness 
at the beginning of cotton-picking time I 
CONTRACT WITH OVERSEER. 
Whereas, the undersigned is about to enter into an ar- 
ffangement with A B for the management of 
his plantation in county; it is expressly agreed 
and understood, that the undersigned is to use his best 
exertions, and all his time and energy, not only in the 
making of the crop, but in the care and attention to the 
negroes, property and stock, in accordance with the in- 
structions now given in the foregoing suggestions, or that 
may be given from time to time, for and in consideration 
of the sum of dollars, for the period of time from 
the of to the or at the rate of 
dollars per month, if this agreement be dissolved sooner 
than the time specified, of which a notice of days 
must be given by each party. 
In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my narhe. 
MEASURING EAND. 
Mr. A. S. Franklin, of Monticello, Ga., writes to the 
Constitutionalist, of this city : 
“In your issue of April 13th, there is a rule given for 
measuring land, which is, in part, incorrect. Tne part 
referred to as incorrect, is “If yoa wish to lay off a square 
acre, measure thirteen rods on each side,’ . This lacks one 
rod of full measure. Now, a piece of land thirteen rods 
on each side, contains one hundred and sixty-nine square 
rods, which will be nine rods more than are in an acre. 
The exact length of one side of a square acre is indeter- 
minate, as the number of square rods in an acre is a secret 
.quantity, whose root cannot be precisely determined— suf- 
ficiently so, however, for all practical purposes. A piece 
of land, twelve rods, ten feet, seven and three-fourth 
inches (12 rods, 10 feet and 7 3-4 inches) on each side, 
contains one acre, wanting four-fifths of a square foot. 
Hence, to lay off a square acre, measure each side twelve 
rods, ten feet seven and three-fourth inches. 
“To find the number of acres in a rectangular field, 
(square field,) multiply the length by the breadth, in rods 
and divide by one hundred and sixty — in yards, divide 
by four thousand eight hundred and forty. A square acre 
is about sixty-nine and a half yards in length and breath.’’- 
A wise man will speak well of his neighbor, love 
iiis wife, and pay for his newspaper. 
THE BRINEEY PLOW — SOUTHERN AGRICUL- 
tural Implements. 
Editor Southern Cultivator — Letters reach me from 
South Carolina to Texas, enquiring of the value of the 
Brinley plow for clay lands; for prairie lands; and some 
have asked me to reply through the Southern Cultivator. 
I presume many do not know I am interested, pecuniarily, 
in the plow, and it is but just to them that they know; 
myself, son-in-law, and only brother, have Mr. Brinley in 
our employ. In justice to myself I must state, I never 
went into the manufacture as a speculation. I was govern- 
ed by a different motive. I cannot work for nothing 
everywhere, though I have by pen for over 25 years ; yet 
so far as I am individually concerned, I will be satisfied 
with interest, legal, paid in cash. It matters not to the 
public, whether he who supplies any article, makes money 
or loses money, provided he keeps up the supply, the 
article being good ® price. If Philips & Kells 
can supply as good a plow, and as cheap as it can be 
made and brought here and sold, that is all the public have 
to do with the matter. I want to succeed. I want to 
supply the South and the North too, if so vast an idea 
can be fathomed by myself or others; or know it is done 
by Southern men. I saw the thousands and thousands of 
plows brought South, desired to see the South less, depen- 
dent, corresponded with monied men, could get no one to 
venture ; at length prevailed upon the husband of ray only 
child and my only brother to go into the business, and we 
are at it; with, in all probability, the most extensive ma- 
chinery in the South ; machinery driven by steam and 
without black smiths room at all, we cover a space 155 
by 40, main building a three stoiy brick house- 
To those interested, the question arises, am I so much 
interested, (or is it possible for man to be so unselfish . as 
to give the whole truth), as to be incompetent to give 
facts 1 My duty is plain — give my stand point as to the 
Brinley plow — and others can judge. I have been an in- 
terested spectator, as a planter, for 28 years, have been a 
disinterested contributor to the agricultural press since the 
12th day of November, 1832. Have, no doubt, led men 
into error — never designedly — for, being deceived, I de- 
ceived others ; have, perhaps, done some good. I have 
tested by absolute trial more plows than, perhaps, any 
man South, and ordered, 5 years ago, I think, a Brinley 
plow to test; the more I used it the better pleased, until at 
length, when about to start the factory, I wanted to know 
of Mr. B. if I could leave his services and how. .He wrote 
me, and, as a liberal, generous soul, he said if he found he 
could not move South, 1 should have all his improvements 
and for nothing; besides, he would come down and give 
us a start. Offered him a partnership, equal. At length 
he came. 
The facts are now before the public. My interest as a 
planter, is precisely as of any improving man, and if I can 
find a better plow, I will have it. I honestly believe, on 
the lime lands that this plow wi’l turn better than the 
wooden mould board plow, which many think indispens- 
able. I believe the dynamometre will show a draft less by 
20 per cent., over any plow I have ever seen used— except 
one — that one is almost unknown in the South. Never 
mind which that is— that is my secret. 
I believe the Brinley plow will do equally as good 
work in clay lands. A stranger friend, from York District, 
S. C., another, from Fairfield, wants to know as to the clay 
lands there, which I knew 28 to 30 years ago. 1 say, the 
clay here has generally less silex not as pure clay, as 
those of Little River in Fairfield, but fully equal to those 
1 remember in York, and I have plowed 6 inches deep all 
day and for days with two ordinary' 14 1-2 to 15 hands 
mules, and have turned over sedge land 10 inches deep, 
clay land, though, only done for a little time to try. We 
can, at an expense of a dollar for a weed hook, turn un- 
