176 
SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 
€ jit Inntjitni Cultinntnr. 
AUGUSTA, GA: 
VOL. XVII., No. 6.; :::::::::::::: JUNE, 1859. 
A CARD. 
Seventeen years of, faithful and successful service in 
promoting the Agriculture of the South, have given the 
Southern Cultivator a degree of vitality and strength, and 
so many warm friends and able contributors, that it can 
well spare the aid of my editorial pen. In retiring from 
the paper, it is due to the proprietor. Dr. Jones, to his 
brother, James W., (who has watched over its business 
affairs from the issue of the first number,) and to Mr. 
Redmond, who has for years performed much more than 
half of its editorial labor, for me to say that our associa- 
tions have always been pleasant and satisfactory. 
To the friends and patrons of the Southern Cultiva tor, 
I tender my grateful thanks for the uniform courtesy and 
kindness extended to the undersigned for many years. 
Daniel Lee, 
University of Georgia, April 25, 1859.’ 
In tendering our good wishes to Dr. Lee, on his retire- 
ment from the Cultivator, we take pleasure in assuring 
our readers that the future of our journal shall do no dis- 
credit to its ; and that, with the improved facilities 
which we now possess, we can confidently promise even 
a more practical and progressive Agricultural Monthly 
than we have heretofore furnished. 
We do not intend to make any alteration in the general 
character of the Cultivator, except such as may add to its 
usefulness and value to Southern Planters and their fami- 
lies ; and we shall continue to work faithfully and earnest- 
ly for the rural and social advancement of our readers, and 
the general improvement of the South— asking only for 
our labors such recognition and reward as they may de- 
serve. 
To CoRRESPODENTs. — We are, as usual, obliged to post- 
pone the publication of some of the contributions of our 
kind friends, until our next issue. Will our correspon- 
dents please bear in mind that we put our paper to press 
15 or 20 days prior to the month in which it is dated? 
And will ail who send us articles for the Cultivator, be 
sure to enclosg proper names on ^private slip to the 
Editor ? 
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
China Tree and Berries. — A. G. — The wood of the 
“China,” or “Pride of India,” Azederach) is of 
much value to cabinet makers, and always commands a 
high price, when properly prepared. The young trees 
are of very rapid growth from the seed, and as they are 
not liable to decay, would make excellent stakes for vine- 
yards. The berries, placed around the stems of peach 
trees, are said to keep away the borer, (?) and a few hands- 
ful of the leaves, destroy worms in horses. A gentleman 
of Mobile states that “ the China tree was introduced into 
this country before the revolutionary war, by a mercantile 
firm of Philadelphia and Eatonton, North Carolina, which 
traded with China. The first tree was planted in the for- 
mer city, but, under an apprehension that it would not 
live in so northern a climate, it was removed to Eaton- 
ton, where it grew apace, and was greatly admired. After 
it commenced blooming, the people came as many as 
twenty and thirty miles to see it. From this single tree, 
it was propagated through the country, and now, in most 
of our cities, it is one of the commonest of our shade trees. 
The first tree was still vigorous twenty years ago,” We 
hear of two or three sub-varieties of the China tree in 
Alabama and Texas — one with variegated leaves. Can 
any of our readers send us descriptions and seeds of 
these novelties? 
Manure for Young Fruit Trees, — L. S. J. — If you 
can conveniently apply the liquid manure heretofore re- 
commended, (May number, page 129), there is nothing 
belter. If not, you will find swamp muck, or any black 
earth, leaf mould, scrapings from hedge-rows, nuxed with 
lime, most excellent. Wood ashes contain much lime, 
and the lime in them is in the best possible condition for 
this use. Do not lay your manure too near tbe body of 
the tree. The small rootlets of a young tree are, of course, 
near the stem ; but with an old tree it is different. They 
have been pushing outward for years; and now they 
draw the nutriment for the tree from a circle, ten,, 
fifteen, and even twenty feet from the center. For a 
large apple tree we would spread th£ compost over a circle 
of twenty to forty feet in diameter. When in Cincin- 
nati, last fall, our friend, Robert Buchanan, Esq , pointed 
out to us some very thrifty and productive apple trees, 
standing on a hill side, covered everywhere with a close, 
green turf— in fact, a perfect grass-plat or lawn ; and in- 
formed us that to keep his trees in the perfect condition 
which they presented, it was only necessary to spade in 
a plentiful supply of manure at the ends of the roots every 
second year, and to give the trunk and main branches of 
the tree an occasional washing with soap-suds. 
“ Going to France,” &c. — Will the “ Patron and Sub- 
scriber” who sends us this article, be good enough to fur- 
nish his name? It is against our rule to publish even 
the best and most acceptable communication, unless we 
know the name of the author. 
“The Conclusion of the Whole Matter.” — E. J. 
— This communication, though forcible and able, would, 
we fear, keep alive an active discussion on an unprofit- 
able theme, and might stir up unpleasant feelings. Will 
our friend, “ E. J.,” consent to its suppression, for the 
present? 
Cultivation of the Pea Nut. — L. W. H. — Received 
too late for this season. Will be reserved, for publication 
at the proper time. 
Watermelon Seed. — Ozan. — We sent you the desired 
seed, per mail, as requested. 
Improved Gin House. — J. B. P. — Your plan is excel- 
lent and practical, and we may have it engraved for publi- 
cation hereafter. 
