148 
SOUTHEHN CULTIVATOE. 
fields that I have planted alternate years, for 5 or 6 years, 
in corn and then in oats, with a decided improvement in 
the soil every year. I think it is not so much the oats as 
keeping the ground closely pastured down, that impover- 
ishes it. The oats may be one cause, but the pasturage is 
much the greatest. 
I differ with you somewhat in the manner of cultivat- 
ing corn. You recommend deep tilth at the outset and 
shallow cultivation after. My rule is to plow deep at all 
times. I admit that it would be much better if the land 
could be so cultivated as never to break the corn roots. 
Most of the vegetable matter is near the surface, and there 
the mouths of the plant seek and it is impossible'to plow 
so shallow as hot to break most of the roots that take up 
3iourishnaent,['?] and as they are obliged to be be broken, I 
always wish to compensate the plant by giving it a deep 
light bed of earth in which to put out fresh roots, and it 
would surprise any one who has not observed it, in what 
a short time these new roots will be thrown out. I think 
that in a drouth the moisture arising horn capillary at- 
traction and condensation from the atmosphere by having 
a deep bed of loose earth, and also by the free admission of 
atmospheric air to the roots of the plant will more than 
compensate for the few more roots broken by deep than 
shallow cultivation. 
In 1848^ about two weeks after T had laid by a field of 
corn, the crop grass came up in it very thick, and to des- 
troy it without breaking the corn roots, (for the corn was 
then in roasting ear) I plowed most of the field very light- 
ly with what are here called buzzard sweeps. About 3 i 
or 4 acres of the same field I caused to be plowed very 
deep with long new plows. A very severe drouth im- 
mediately set in ; the corn that was plowed deep remain- 
ed green to the ground, while that which was plowed 
with the sweeps, fired up to the ear. This has been my 
experience in the cultivation of corn since 1S27. 
My communication is drawing out to an unwarranted 
length, but as I want some information, I will state a few 
facts. Having more grapes in my garden last summer 
than I could consume, I gathered the ripe grapes, mashed 
them by hand, strained the juice through a towel and fill- 
ed a 5 gallon demijohn with the juice, reserving some of 
the juice to keep the demijohn full. I tied a cloth over 
the mouth to keep out insects. On the 4th day I examin- 
ed it and it was sour. It has made neither vinegar nor 
wine. Will some of your readers inform me why I failed? 
I am anxious to learn the process of wine making, as I 
am about setting out a vineyard at this time. 
Yours respectfully, Thos. P Miller. 
New Prospect, P. O., Wivstem Cn., Miss, 1856. 
HEW MODE OF PLAHTING SWEET POTATO VINES, 
IN LEVEL LAND OR EH BEDS. 
Editors Southern Cultivator — On the 20th day of 
July last I commenced plantina potato vines in the follow- 
ing manaer; the ground planted, was rye stubble, badly 
plowed and harrowed, and very clayey : 
1 made furrows with a bull tongue plow four feet apart ; 
laid two vines along the whole length in the furrow, then 
covered, with a plow, about 3 or 4 inches deep, running 
a furrow on each side. They soon began to come up, 
and, although the ground was dry and cloddy, made a 
very good stand, with the exception of 2 rows, which 
were planted with young and tender vines in the middle 
of the day, which were scorched by the sun before they 
could be covered by the plow. On the 18th of August, I 
bedded up 3 rows, (that is, broke out the middles) but the 
ground being too dry and hard, I merely harrowed the 
ballancd to keep down the grass; a spell of wet weather 
setting in, caused the vines to run over the ground and 
they were worked no more. 
On the 16th of November I commenced digging them ; 
they yielded at the rate of 0 bushels per acre. The 3 
rdws plowed, yielding two to one of the others. 
In this manner they may be planted in level land or in 
beds, and at almost any time, unless the ground is very 
dry or too wet to plow. Cattle and horses prefer the dried 
vines to any other feed. J. F. Ernst. 
Fayette Co., Texas, 1856. 
OREGON PEAS. 
Editors Southern Cultivator — Last springl received 
a paper of Oregon Peas from the Patent Office. To make 
the most of them, I planted them in rows, the 10th of 
March, dropping the peas singly about 20 inches apart. 
Some were killed by frost, and of those that grew all were 
broken off at the ground by the wind and touch of the 
swingle-tree, except two plants ; from these I gathered a 
pint of ripe peas by the 24th of July. On that day I 
planted half a pint, dropping from 3 to 5 in a hill about 3 
feet apart each way, which prevented their breaking. 
After gathering and cleaning I have fully one bushel of 
Peas, weighing 70 pounds. So much for yield. Next 
year I will test their utility. They grew on the 12th part 
of an acre, and no plants exceeding 3 feet in height. 
J. F. E. 
Fayette Co., Texas, 1856. 
PROFESSION AND PRACTICS.-MANURES, ETO. 
Editors Southern Cultivator — No doubt alarge class 
of the “farming community” are, likemyself, very deficient 
in scientific knowledge, too much so; and I believe it is 
a universal fact, that the less we know the stronger our 
self-conceit, and the less we care to know. We may not 
alt hope to attain the elevation of a “Bachman” or “Lee,” 
and therefore are content to know nothing, as we ought to 
know. There is a point, however, that is attainable by 
diW ixxidi profitable to all; and that is careful observation 
and a proper application of facts, derived from experimen- 
tal knowledge, to learn what are the effects of certain com- 
binations, and how Nature operates in accomplishing her 
designs under given circumstances. Now, this is true 
science — not falsely so called — though we may not under- 
stand the “why” nor “wherefore;” and to this point every 
cultivator of the soil ought to direct his ambition, and con- 
tent himself with nothing less. Therefore, every planter 
ought to read and digest and everything he can con- 
nected with his business ; that is to himself. But he 
is a social being and stands connected with his race, and 
to them he owes obligations in this regard, and he should 
give them the benefit of his knowledge — that is his duty to 
them. Now, upon these simple principles we see how 
we may all be benefitted by giving each to the other our 
suggestions for their examination, and our knowledge for 
their advantage. Those that occupy the highest point* 
may be out of sight of those on the lowest points ; yet, by 
those between, a connection is formed, and light commu- 
nicated — “thus planters teach planters.” 
I shall be pardoned, I hope, for a few thought* by way 
of inquiry, that the minds of others may b* directed in 
this line: 
There is a singular contradiction in profession and 
izee about planting as an investment; most persons say it 
don’t pay interest, and yet every one is trying to get an 
interest ; it is said to be a vexatious and responsible call- 
ing, from having to do with overseers and negroes, and 
losses and mishaps; and yet lawyers, doctors, merchants, 
divines diXidi all, look to its attainment as the chief good for 
this life. It is not commonly the case that men are thus 
contradictory in matters where dimes are concerned. Is 
there none of your readers who are systematic enough to 
determine this point by figures ? setting forth the sum in- 
vested in lands, negroes and stock, with the loss and 
gain to each; the amounts of the crops, and how di*- 
