SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR 
245. 
the walls, and may be set up and built around, like those 
in a brick house, as the wall progresses. A piece of com- 
mon inch plank, “cut in” all around them, to prevent the 
actual contact of the damp mortar, will keep them, in a 
great measure, from warping. Where base-boards are 
needed, blocks of scantling may be built in flush with the 
inner surface of the wall, at the proper distances apart. 
We cannot think of any other particulars in which a con- 
crete house differs from one built of brick ; and we need 
not, therefore, enter into more minute details, at present. 
7th. Advantages, Comparative Cost, &c. — A house 
of this description is admirably adapted to our Southern 
climate. Being a non-conductor, it is cool in summer 
and warm in winter — the walls do not absorb moisture 
from the atmosphere, like a brick house — with a cement 
floor, it is proof against every description of vermin — 
— it is not near as liable to burn and decay as a wooden 
house, its walls becoming harder and harder, with age, 
until it is almost a solid mass of rock ; and it possesses an 
enduring and permanent character, superior in many re- 
repects, to either wood or brick. Its most striking advan- 
tages over brick are, that it can be built in many locations 
where brick cannot be readily obtained —that it costs 
much less than brick, in almost all cases — and that the 
erection of the walls only needs the superintendance of one 
good mechanic, (mason or bricklayer) all the heavy labor 
being done by common field hands. The walls of our 
dwelling at “Fruitland,” enclose an area of over 50 feet 
square — they are 20 feet high; 18 inches thick in the 
basement [9 ft ] and 12 inches in the upper story [11 ft.] 
with two lower partition walls, 9 feet high, 1 foot thick, 
and 52 feet long each. Lime cost 50 cents per bushel at 
the Railroad, and we hauled it nearly 3 miles ; the large 
rock was quarried and hauled from Rae’s Creek, a mile 
off; the water for making mortar, hauled in a cask, over 
a quarter of a mile; the process of putting up such walls 
was entirely new to our workman and ourselves ; and 
yet, in the face of all these difllculties, we completed 
the w'alls at one-third less expense than any brick con- 
tractor in Augusta would undertake to do them for. We 
can safely say, therefore, that, wherever lime is not worth 
more than 20 or 25 cents per bushel, and rock, sand and 
water are convenient, a house of this description can be 
built nearly as cheap as wood, and at half the cost of brick ; 
and, we think it possesses sufficient advantages to induce 
a more extended trial in various sections of the country. 
D. R. 
BEES— TANSY TAKES AWAA" THEIR PUG- 
iiacity. 
Editors Southern Cultivator — Seeing an, article in 
the July number of your valuable periodical upon Bees, 
I deem it not altogether mal o.propos to communicate a 
fact which may be of benefit and interest to Bee raisers, 
respecting the mode of preventing being stung by them in 
hiving, etc. 
This aristocratic insect is certainly worthy of man’s 
study, and its peculiarities worth bringing to the notice 
of every intelligent individual. The article alluded to is 
a communication from Mr. McGehee ; which is well-writ- 
ten and informing, yet I wish to improve upon his method 
by adopting a different plan to keep from being stung, 
notwithstanding Mr. McGehee is not “ stung more than 
once in 20 hives.” 
There is a perennial plant cultivated in our gardens, 
and in some places naturalized, though indigenous to Eu- 
rope, called TAmY—Tanaceium -possessing 
valuable medicinal properties; aside from which it haa, 
I presume, from its strong peculiar odor and warm, bitter, 
aromatic taste, the power of effectually preventing Bees 
from slinging. The plant is taken green and rubbed up- 
on parts exposed, i e., the face and hands, and I presume 
that a strong decoction of the dried leaves would answer 
the same purpose. 
I’ve been told that Fennel — Feoniculnm — will also pre- 
vent bees from stinging parts upon which it is rubbed, 
but have never seen it tested. 
This may be old to you, to Mr. McGehee and to others, 
but be assured it is my wish, in bringing to your notice, 
to be of benefit to Bee raisers, and should it prove worthy 
of insertion! shall be much gratified. 
Respectfully yours, Goodwin Nixon, M. D. 
Lowndesboro, Ala., June, 1857. 
A PROPOSITION TO TEST THE GRASSESo 
Editors Southern Cultivator — 1 have now on trial 
a few of the grasses and am so well pleased that I am in- 
clined to make a very full trial, and make the proposal. 
If Southern planters who have grass that they deem 
worthy of introducing to their brother planters, will fur- 
nish me seed of a small parcel of each, say enough for a 
fair stand on one-eigth to one-fourth of an acre, I will put 
land in good condition and sow down in October next. I 
ask this fkvor not alone for myself, but that I may benefit the 
cause. I have been so kindly favored by the spirited 
planters North and South, that I feel I have only to name 
this. I also ask of Northern and Western farmers, or seed- 
men to supply me with all the varieties known to the 
trade, so that I may have a full trial. It will be a trifling 
cost, and the expense of trial not much, but far exceeding 
cost of seed. I have written off to New York and Boston 
to know if I can get some 30 varities known well in Eu- 
rope, and many at the North and East, but none used in 
the South. 
I have a lot on which I shall test for the second year all 
the varities of the Pea that I have been able to get, which 
will be cultivated, and a good preparation for the Grasses 
in October. ^ 
""ThTmasT^ planters South believe they are called to 
kill grass, and any one who presumes to advocate grass 
culture is regarded as either decidedly soft or an enemy. 
But when we see the scarcity, no doubt, scarcity of meat, 
and the high price of leather; we should now be willing 
to use some exertion to supply the demand. Not only 
this, but I contend it is bad policy to rely upon the corn 
field for all food. 
1 have, this year, cut Lucerne, sent me under name of 
Alfalfa, already three times, this 19lh June; each cutting 
when in bloom and an average of 18 inches high. This 
grass (clover) I have had in cultivation occasionally for 
nearly twenty years, and know that on rich, deep land it 
will pay better than any other crop I know of, it being so 
early in the Spring. Burmuda, perhaps, suits all lands 
best, though it is slow to start in the Spring, if cold. 
The South, to be true to itself, ought not to rely upon 
the staple crops of Tobacco, Rice, Cotton and Sugar, but 
so vary their husbandry as to be able to supply necessary 
w'ants, and thus keep in check the disposition to speculate 
upon necessaries. 
\yould it not be a worthy object for each Agricultural 
Society to offer premiums for Grasses, largest product, 
and for the most nutricious? It seems to me that such ob- 
jects come under the watchful care of all such Associations. 
The cost is too much for an individual, and besides there 
should be enough public spirit to induce action and not 
expect the burden to rest on one. 
I have now in cultivation seme ten varieties and may 
be able to give some slight hint ere tne close of the year. 
I beg the aid of all, and will hope to make it advanta- 
geous. Address 
M. W. Philips, Edv:a,rd.s, ATiss. 
Will Agricultural iournals please notice. Editors ifiei.d- 
ly hereto can secure the experiment. 
