272 
SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 
till they are ground into a pulpy mass, which is deposited 
in the tub beneatli, and which yields, when subjected to 
the press, its entire amount of juice. Krauser’s Mil! ap- 
pears to be remarkably well made, and of the best materi- 
als, so far as we have observed, and we recommend it to 
our friends with entire confidence, who are in want of 
portable cider mills the coming fall. 
There will be this season an unusually plentiful crop of 
apples, and portable mills will be much in demand. There 
is great economy in using them, not only because more 
cider can be made by them, from a^given amount of 
apples, than in the large neighborhood mills, but also be- 
cause there is saving of time. On a rainy day one can be 
put under cover, and two or three barrels made from 
apples which would otherwise rot on the ground, because 
the quantity was not sufficient to get up the cart, and go 
several mills to a mill, which also might be found pre- 
engaged. 
A farmer with a portable mill can embrace opparhinities 
of making cider whenever sufficient apples for a barrel or 
two drop from the trees, and the aggretate gain this way 
for a single season, will nearly pay for his mill. Of all 
the improved labor-saving machines now in vogue, we 
know of none more economical than the Portable Cider 
Mill. This Mill may be ordered from D. Redmond or 
Carmichael & Bean, of Augusta. Price $42, delivered 
on shipboard in Philadelphia. See advertisement of Pas- 
CfiALL Morris & Co. 
AN AGEICTJLTURIST ON HIS TRAVELS— “ BEECH 
ISLAND FARMER’S CLUB ’’-OHIO WINE- 
ME. LONGWORTH, &C. 
Editors Southern Cultivator — This is the first day 
I have spent at home since the 21st of April, having been 
in ten States of the Union since that day, seen many dear 
friends, personal friends from my earliest remembrance, a 
large section of the planting region, some good lands and 
good culture, with much of the worst of each ; but why 
say what I have seen ? 
thanks to hosts of friends for their kind attention, and to 
say to your readers that I have taken by the hand Cloud 
of the American Cotton Planter, Redmond of the Southern 
Cultivator, Summer of the South Carolina Agriculturist, 
Boswell, of the Farmer tp Mechanic, and Byram of the 
Valley Farmer, — a quintuple alliance of Southern editors 
in whom I rejoice to boast of as equal to the emergency 
of the times, and I add, Peters, who is doing his full share 
in aid of the great cause, and Nelson not behind any. 
Unfortunately for me, and I tender my regrets, I called 
on Dr. Cloud, about an hour after the decease of his 
aged father, and of course, all opportunity of conversation 
on our favorite subject was denied me. 
In my travels I picked up much that is treasured up for 
iiture use and I trust, the benefit of my fellows. 
I know not where to begin that I may spin out my 
jarn so as to do most good. 
My heart turns to what I saw and heard, and the con- 
sequcT^t resolve to endeavor to labor more. 
Among these, I might bring in the foreground, the 
public spirited “Beech Island Farmers’ Club,” the warm 
hearted friends, the intelligent gentleman devoting a por- 
tion of time to their agricultural improvement. 
Touching this Club, there is to me an unaccountable 
desire for privacy. That the Club is doing much good for 
its members I am satisfied, and why its excellent Secre- 
tary should not publish a digest of the talks, forpublic good, 
I cannot understand. I am half way inclined to allude to 
some of the talks, on the day I had the pleasure of being 
present, and am only deterred by respect for its members, 
though I cannot say so of the privacy of the proceedings. 
Such a Club in every neighborhood will do more to ele- 
vate our calling than all other aids. Require every mem- 
ber to say something, and guard against any political or 
religious or irreligious innovations; and by the bye, be 
careful to guard against the introduction of any beverage 
which r.an intoxicate. I refer to this at this time because 
I am convinced that Southern gentlemen drink less liquors 
than Northern men. 
In connection with this, I would allude to about 2 acres 
of a vineyard, a beginning; for the owner of which 1 pro- 
mised to hunt up a vigneron in Cincinnati, Ohio, but could 
do nothing. I took two long walks to find Mr. Long- 
worth, that I might make inquiry, also to ask for speci- 
mens of his wines to be sent to Montgomery, Augusta and 
Columbia Fairs, to the very worthy Corresponding Secre- 
taries, on exhibition and trial, but I found Mr. Longworth 
rather short-Xo-me, and from whom I could get no infor- 
niation except that the South could not grow wine without 
deep cellars; that the Scuppernong Grape could not make 
wine. 
I was altogether unprepared for this. I had forgotten the 
millionaire in the horticulturist; in the company of the latter 
being ever at home and have always had access to the in- 
formation in his possession. Indeed I had thought a half 
dozen baskets of wine to each Fair would have been 
promptly offered, but in lieu thereof 1 was told there was 
an agency in Charleston. I feel chagrined, and hope the 
South will, to a man, patronize R. Buchanan. 
No cause for coolness to me; Mr. L, and myself have 
exchanged letters, and heretofore kindness has been shown 
me. I then asked no favor and would scorn it now for 
self, and asked only for the public. 
I hope Mr. Longworth may yet send the wine to the 
three Fairs. Yours truly, M. W. Philips. 
Edwo/rds, Aliss., June, 1856. 
HILL SIDE DITCHING— HORIZONTALIZING LAND. 
Editors Southern Cultivator — As requested by you 
and promised by me, I now, after some delay, attempt to 
give you in detail, my system of hill side ditching and 
horizontal culture. And by the expression “my system,’’ 
&c., I do not wish to be understood as claiming originality, 
for I confess, with much pleasure, that I have studied 
with much care, the various systems as given in Southern 
agricultural journals, and have by practical experiment, 
demstrated the value of the most of them. And my study 
and practice has settled me in the conviction that the 
system I now practice is the most to be relied on in the 
Southern States. 
Than hill side ditching and horizontal cultre there is 
no subject of grave importance to the Southern Agricul- 
turist. To keep land from washing, should and must 
be the first step towards improvement, and so far as I 
know, this fact is acknowledged by everybody. But the 
question in the minds of many seems to be, can it be 
done I And the fact is to be regretted, but is nevertheless 
true, that many of us, instead of experimenting on this 
subject, and convincing ourselves and the agriculturist 
whether or not the hills of the South may be saved and 
thus benefit our race, we notice with a sceptic’s eye the 
labor of others and not unfrequently express our doubts as 
to the utility of the operation. 
And if it is conceded by all, which is certainly the case , 
that the hills of the South can alone be reclaimed by keep- 
ing the soil where nature’s God placed it, it follows that 
every system which promises, to any extent, that result, 
should receive the most respectful attention. 
I despise from my heart of hearts, the disposition that 
