SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 
184 
fjjt SMtljera 
AUGUSTA, GA : 
TOL. XV. NO. 6 JUNE, 1S57. 
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
Currants. — G. — The common Red Curnnt, of the 
I^orth and Europe, does not thrive here. We have, how- 
ever, several varietie.s of Black Currants in cultivation at 
Fruitland^'’ both in high and low ground, with every 
prospect of success, thus far. The “native currant” you 
speak of, is, we presume the Amelanchier, descri'ied in 
our last volume, page 385. Of this, there are two com- 
inon varieties, t!ie high and low bush. Both are easily 
propagated by seed, layers, and, perhaps, cuttings. 
“Pro Bono Puelico.” — We can only publish your article 
as an advertisement. See terms on last page. 
Sugar from Sorgho — J. McC. L,— See the article of 
Prof. Olcott, in our May number. The first samples of 
Sugar we ever saw, from this plant, were made by Dr. 
Roet. Battev, of Rome, Ga. , from stalks furnished by 
ourselves. We are daily adding to our stock of informa- 
tion on the various processes of grinding the canes, mak- 
ing syrup, sugar,, alcohol, &c., &c., and will be better able 
to answer your queries and those of many other corres- 
pondents, on this subject, hereafter. 
Poland Fowls — A Lady Subscriber. — The race is al- 
most extinct in this vicinity — the Shanghais, Brahmas 
and other Celesiials, having driven nearly al! smaller and 
weaker varieties, except the Game, from the field. 
To Correspondents. — Tue press of matter upon us 
has recently been so great, that very many of our most 
valued and interesting communications are necessarily 
crowded out of the present paper. Our July issue, how- 
ever, will contain a great share of those deferred articles, 
and be, in many respects, a very original number. In the 
meantime, we trust all will continue writing — every ar- 
ticle suited to our columns, is gratefully received, and 
sooner or later will have a place in our pages. 
Sale op Devon Cattle.— W'e have received the 
Third Annual Catalogue of Thorough-Bred North Devon 
Cattle, the property of C. S Walnwright, Esq ,ofRhine- 
beck, Dutchess Co., New York. Mr. Wainwright is 
well known as one of the most spirited, intelligent ai d 
liberal breeders of the North ; and as a portion of his very 
luperior herd is to be sold at auction on Wednc'day, Jume 
17, it will afford all who desire Devon Cattle of undoubted 
purity and excellence, an opportunity of supplying them- 
selves. We hope the sale will have a full attendance; and 
that the prices may prove remunerative. 
ENUAKGEMENT OF THE SOUTHERN CUUTI- 
vatox*. 
Several of our friends and subscribers have expressed 
a wish that the CvJtivolnr should be enlarged, and we 
confess that, spacious as are its present limits, we are 
often sadly in want of room for the increasing favors of 
our correspondents, and the current agricultural literature 
of the day. .Should the circulation of the paper increase 
sufficiently during the present year, we will make some 
very marked changes and improvements in the next 
volume; but, until then, of course, the present form must 
be mamtained. We do not expect to make the Cultivator 
a source of any particular pecuniary profit to ourselves, 
and shall, therefore, be ready at any time to devote to its 
improvement and embellishment a portion of any surplus 
that may accrue above the cost of publication. 
CONCRETE AND 3IUD HOUSEf?. 
OcR very spirited and energetic contemporary, “ The 
Tempcrojice Crusader f of May 7, favors us with the 
following kind notice: 
“The Southern CuUivo.tor iov hAay.\s ox\ our table, filled 
with Agricultural theories and many important dirc' tions 
to the farmer, upon a score of topics which address them 
selves to his success and great pecuniary gain in tillage. 
The ability, finished theories, and mature science which 
the editors (one if not both of whom are practical as well 
as theoratical men) bring to bear upon Agiicultural 
themes in this journal, also the practical experience of 
good faiLuers communicated to others through it, makes 
the Cultivator an essential periodical for every farmer in 
the State. 
This number contains complete directions by friend 
Redmond, one of the editors, for building Concrete or 
literally mud Houses. The clieapest of all plans for get- 
ting a desirable residence, or out-houses on a farm. He 
has erected one, and is now occupying it himself. Terms 
of Cultlvo.tor S'l a year. 
Ourfriend, Seals, evidently misapprehends the nature of 
the material known in architecture as On turn- 
ing to Webster’s Dictionary, (quarto ed. pp. 243) he will 
find’ (t)4) that concrete is described as “a mass of stone 
chippings, pebbles, &c., cemented by mortar, laid at the 
foundation of walls in spongy soils.” This foundation of 
•‘concrete,” continued up the full height of the walls (20 
feet) constitutes the material of our “Fruitland” cottage; 
and is, in reality farther from being miul than a brick 
house would be, inasmuch as bricks are literally com- 
posed of mud or clay; and no clay whatever enters into the 
formation of concrete. In order to test all available building 
materials within our reach, (other than wood), however, 
we are now erecting a small negro quarter [52 x 14] en- 
tirely of well tempered clay-mortar, to which is added a 
small portion of chopped straw. The walls are to be one 
foot thick, and eight feet high, and the method of construc- 
tion or building up, is precisely similar to that of the large 
concrete house described at page 152, May number. The 
roof-caves of this building are to extend 2 feet outwaidijr 
over the walls, and the latter are to be coated externaly 
with a good layer of cement. The floor wdl also be 
of clay, pounded hard and covered with cement, thus 
rendering it proof against predatory vermin and the pro' 
