SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 
83 
I desire, independence in fact, not in name ; and we 
can never be independent so long as we depend on any 
people for necessaries. T am willing to be dependent for 
love and kindness, not on man for air or liberty. 
Yours truly, M. W. Philips. 
Edwards, Miss., Jan., 1856. 
CHINESE SUGAR CANE— GOURDS, ETC. 
Editors Southern Cultivator — I would be obliged 
to you by sending me a few of the seed of the Chinese 
Sugar Cane. I would like to test it on our Texas soil. 
Enclosed you will find some of the seed of the Pickle or 
Vegetable Gourd, which is fine for pickling, if taken 
when tender. It eats very well when rolled in batter and 
fried. 
I also send you some of the Arbor Gourd, which makes 
a beautiful arbor. Yours respectfully, J. C. S. 
Fannin Co., Texas, 1856. 
Remarks. — 'VVe have mailed our correspondent a small 
package of the seed desired, and regret that we have no 
more for general distribution. Hope to be fully sup- 
plied, next season. Many thanks for the gourd seeds. — 
Eds. 
THE WYANDOT CORN— AGRICULTURAL DIVISION 
OF THE PATENT OFFICE. 
This truly singular production was first introduced to 
the notice of the public in 1853, by Mr. J. R Thomas, of 
Waverly, Illinois, who received 0 grains from the Wyandot 
Indians through a California emigrant, which he planted 
in a sandy soil, and the product was 58 full-grown ears. 
In 1854 there were raised from twenty-five grains planted 
on the 20th of May one-hundred and thirty ears, and from 
one-fourth of an acre thirty-two bushels and three pecks of 
shelled corn. It only received the common cultivation 
given to other kinds of corn. 
This corn is represented to possess the following pecu 
liarities. We copy as follows from the circular of Mr. 
Thomas: — Nat. Intel. 
“1st. It requires but one grain to be planted in each hill; 
more than one is useless, 
'‘2nd. Each grain yields from three to eight full-grown 
stalks, equal in length and strength, being 9 to 12 feet 
high, and proceed directly from the grain. 
“3d. Each stalk bears from 2 to 4 ears of a large and 
beautiful pearl-white corn, the meal of which is equal in 
appearance to flour made from wheat. Each hill will 
yield from 8 to 20 ears. From an equal quantity of seed 
planted it will produce double the quantity of ears that 
can be raised from any other kind of corn grown. The 
quantity of fodder which it bears is immense, and for 
stock-feeding it is superior to all other varieties. The 
kernel is shaped similar to the ‘yellow flint,’ the grain 
soft, twelve-rowed, and small cob. Ear from 12 to 15 
inches long. 
“If planted 5 feet apart each way (and which is near 
enough) it will require about 2,500 grains, or one quart of 
the seed per acre. Allowing each grain to produce but 
6 ears, (and my yield for the present year 1855 will aver- 
age 10 ears to the hill.) and the produce of 2,500 hills is 
15,000 ears, and, allowing 120 ears to the bushel of corn, 
the result will be 125 busliels per acre. By actual mea- 
surement it has been conclusively proven that 3 of the 
average sized ears of the Wyandot corn will make one 
quart or 96 ears to the bushel, say 100 ears, and the result 
is changed from 125 to 150 bushels per acre, the latter be- 
ing nearest correct.” 
PREMIUMS AWARDED AT THE JANUARY MEETING 
OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE 
SOUTHERN CENTRAL AGRICULTURAL 
SOCIETY. 
G, W, L. Twiggs, Richmond county, best 2 acres Cot- 
ton, Pitcher $50 
(Bad stand) 1 acre Boyd’s Prolific 1,914 lbs. 
1 acre Pomegranate 2,306 
Total 4,220 
A. Austin, Tunnel Hill, Cass county, best, crop Hay, 
&c. (one bale as a sample) $10 
CROPS OF BOYS UNDER 14 YEARS OF AGE. 
William Pinkston, Wilkes co., Ga., best acre of Corn 
(lowland) 109 bushels, Silver Watch $25 
Henry Mylcan, Cass co., Ga., 2d best one acre Corn 
(low land) 101 bushels, Silver Watch 25 
J. Camak, Secretary S. C. A. S. 
VALUE OF AN AGRICULTURAL PAPER. 
Editors Southrrn Cultivator — I have taken your 
valuable paper the past year and expect to continue taking 
it as long as I have the dollar to give in exchange for it. I 
have all the numbers for 1855, and would not part with 
them for one dollar each, could I not replace them. The 
dollar for 1856 you will find enclosed ; so send it along, 
as it is impossible for me to do well without it. I am a 
young farmer and of very limited education and, there- 
fore, I more need the information of your pages. I culti- 
vate my little farm myself, in person, having no help what- 
ever. If your paper is worth to me, annually, $12, (and I 
am positive that it has profited me more than that amount) 
what would it be worth to a planter with 10 to 50 hands'? 
I have tried to get new subscribers to the 14th volume 
of your journal, and I think I will yet send you a few be- 
fore the close of the volume. Yours, &c., 
J. A. W. 
Buena Vista, Texas, Jan., 1856. 
WILD ONIONS— VALUE OF ASHES, GROUND BONES. 
Editors Southrrn Cultivator — I am truly desirous 
of learning what plan to adopt to get rid of the Wild 
Onion. 
Ralso wish to know the real value (the lowest estimate) 
per bushel for ashes, both leached and unleached. Also, 
how to use them on corn for manure, or are they better on 
anything else'? Also, the lowest estimate for ground 
bones per bushel ; how and to what to be applied, and how 
much per acre of each — bones and ashes'? I hope some 
of your correspondents can answer these inquiries cor- 
rectly. 
I can buy ashes low and, no doubt, plenty. I can also 
get old bones, and grind them in my Rowe Crusher, pro- 
vided they will pay well Truly yours, J. B. 
Hancock County, Ga., Feb., 1856. 
LIME IN AGRICULTURE— POLICY OF RAILROADS. 
Editors Southern Cultivator — On page 17 of the 
January number of your paper you make use of the fol- 
lowing sentence, which strikes me as containing the pith 
of the matter, and answers the ofi-repeated question. Why 
don’t you renovate your worn out lands in Middle Georgia'? 
to wit : 
“ We should gladly purchase lime for agricultural 
purposes, if railroads were not .so managed as virtualW 
to prohibit the transportation of lime any consideral:^ 
distance for the improvement of the soil. Capital invest- 
