DEVOTED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF SOUTHERN AGRICCLTUBE. 
VOL. XIV. 
AUGUSTA, 
GA., DKCBMBER, 1856. NO. 12. 
WILLIAM S. JONES, 
PUBLISHBR. 
DANIEL LEE, M. D., and D. REDMOND. FniTORt. 
O:^ SEE TERMS ON LAST PAGE. 
^kntatintt Ctnnara^ anil Hisctlktiij. 
WORE FOR THE MONTH-(DECEMBEE.) 
THE PLAXTATION. 
Cvtlvii Picking ought now to be finished, and the bal- 
ance of the crop packed and sent forward to market, so 
that the planter and his hands may have a little leisure be- 
fore commencing the next year’s labors. The planting of 
‘•our great staple” is a drudgery at best; but it is made 
more laborous than necessary, by the “ never ending, 
still beginning” system of most our planters. Let our 
readers, who are particularly interested, begin the reform at 
once. 
C<yrn land of last year, intended for the sai re crop next 
year, should be broken up thoroughly and deeply; and if 
stiff, bedded up and exposed to the amelio'rating influence 
of the winters rain and frost. Plow across the furrows of 
last year, and subsoil, if possible. Land cannot be made 
too deep andnic/t for corn — it is a gross and exacting feed- 
er. Clear up, also, some good new, fresh land for the 
coming corn crop. 
Wkeat^ RyCy Oats and Barky may also be sown yet, 
but the sooner the better. Note what has been heretofore 
said about lliorovgK prcpa,ration of the soil, and put your 
seed in right. Manure heavily, plow deep and pulverize 
as fine as possible. 
Fruit 7Vec5 of all kinds should be set out during Be 
cember and January, if possible. For directions, see 
article in our present number, and for the proper 
selection of trees, consult the Catalogues of the various 
Southern Nurserymen, whoseadvertisements will be found 
in our pages. One good Southern seedling fruit tree, 
•v^'orked on a native Southern stock, is worth half a dozen 
of dwarfish, slow-growdng foreign trees. The time for 
importing Fruit trees has almost gone by— henceforth 
the current sets from the South nortlrward — trees raised 
in Georgia being now sent to supply orders from North 
Carolina and Virginia. 
Hedges of all kind.s should now be planted. Sec- list of 
plants and directions in Noveral>er number. 
With the closing year, close up all accounts ; open new 
books, and make a fresh start with the new year which is- 
approaching. 
THE GARDEN. 
Sow Cabbages, Turnips, Parsnips, Lettuce, Carrots^ 
RoMshes, Onions (black seed). Parsley, &c.., &.c. Hatd 
plenty of manure on your garden, plow it over deeply; oe> 
better still, have it well spaded, burying under all aninssdi 
or vegetable matter. Cover up the Globe Artichoke with 
litter and pine boughs. Dress and manure your Aspaf- 
gus beds, not forgetting to give them a liberal top-dres- 
sing of salt before spring. Save all old bones, soap-sude, 
dead leaves, decaying vegetables, &-c., See., and make up 
into compost heaps for future use. Plant choice Fruit 
Treas, selecting varieties which are known to be adapted 
to the South, and begin prunting your fruit trees and 
grape vines. Our Southern Nurserymen have paid es- 
pecial attention to the propagation of choice varieties, and 
will probably be able to supply all orders. 
Strawberry Beds, for spring bearing, may also still he 
planted, according to direction.s given last month. 
THE NURSERY AND ORCHARD. 
Propagate ail the choicest and best varieties ofSoutherr. 
fruits. The Quince, the Fig, the Grape and the Pome- 
granate grow readily from cuttings, when planted in moist 
sh.ady ground. Now is the best time for planting Orefr- 
ards. 
Look over your bearing Peach trees, and where yo*.; 
find gum to exude, apply boiling water, as tlie best remedy 
for destroyins: the borer. We have poured as much as U 
ga!I.)n3 of boiling water around the stems of small peaeV. 
trees, after which they grew bcauHfv.lh/. 
CoTTOv Crop or ISoa-’oO.— The Shipping «p Ccn->- 
nierciol List and New York Prices Current, makes the 
total Cotton crop of I S.jo-’fib, d,.y27,^ir> bales. I’hts 
show.s an 
Increase over crop of 1S.5 J-’oo bS0.r)0tJ. 
“ “ “ ]S:,3-’i 5:17,818, 
“ “ “ lS.5*>-’.53 ‘2(M ,9(1.3 
In the statement of the total crop raised in the ITniiwi 
States the past season, the Skippi/icc Comvierciol List 
m (s. 11 3,335,000 b.ile.s, after dednetins: 250,000 I)ale3 of 
tlie .-n-p of jy 'iousyrar, dffained in the interior by 
! f-iv.T'. and oiher rau.ses, prior to Sept. I, 1855 Afi 
of this Cotton, it i^ presumed, came forward the past sca- 
-sor.. 
