THE SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 
12i 
cal change. They are not only rendered firmer, 
or more solid, by the admixture of clay, but they 
derive from this clay, at the same time, some of 
those mfineral substances which they previously 
contained in less abundance. The addition of 
marl to the land acts often in a similar, two-fold 
capacity. It renders clay lands more open and 
friable, and to all soils brings an addition of car- 
bonate and generally of phosphate of lime, both 
of which are proved by experience to be not only 
very influential but to be absolutely necessary to 
healthy vegetation.” 
Of the same general import are the conclusions 
of a still later authority — Boussingault. On 
page 206 of his “Rural Economy,” it is asserted 
that “ The quality of an arable soil depends es- 
sentially on the association of these two matters : 
— sand, whether it be silicious, calcareous or 
felspathic, always renders a soil friable, perme- 
able, loose. * * * * Clay posses- 
ses properties entirely opposed to those of sand. 
— The proper character, or, if you will, the 
quality of a soil, depends essentially on the ele- 
ment which predominates in the mixture of sand 
and clay that composes it — and between the two 
extremes, which are alike unfriendly to vegeta- 
tion, viz. the completely sandy soil, and the un- 
mixed clay, all the other varieties, all the inteime- 
diate shades can be placed.” And at page 214, 
tifter having minutely described the character of 
clay and sand, and certain alkaline and earthy 
salts, of which carbonate of lime is the principal 
and most important, he asserts that “ the mine- 
ral substances which we have now studied, taken 
isolatedly, wmuld form an almost barren soil ; but 
by mixing them with discretion, a soil would be 
obtained presenting all the essential conditions of 
fertility, which depeid, as it would seem, much 
less on the chemical constitution of the elements 
of the soil than on their physical properties, such 
as their faculty of imbibition, their density, their 
power of conducting heat, &c., &c.” 
These results of scientific research merely con- 
firm the conclusions that the common sense of 
mankind had arrived at, long before the atten- 
tion of science was directed to the subject. But 
they have been very rarely applied to practice, 
except as to the application of lime, simply be- 
cause of the great expense of digging up and 
transporting clay and sand from places where 
they are in excess to those where they are defi- 
cient. And this, after all, is the main considera- 
tion — the question of expense we mean. Prudent 
men must ever so regard it. Boussingault tried 
it on his own lands, and came to the conclusion 
that “it would be better [jolicy to buy new 
lands with the capital v.’hich ■would be required 
to improve those he already possessed in the 
manner which has been indicated.” And he adds 
that he “ should have no difficulty in citing nu- 
merous instances where improvements by ming- 
ling the different kinds of soil were ruinous, in 
the'end, to those who undertook them.” So, 
also Johnston, with true practical wisdom, says, 
“ the only question on the subject that ought to 
arise in the mind of a prudent man, is that which 
is connected with the economy of the case. Is 
this the most profitable way in which I can spend 
my money? Can I employ the spare labor of my 
‘men and horses, in any other way which will 
yield me a larger return ?” 
Plow deep to secure your crops from drought. 
Improved Breed of Cattle. 
We have been furnished with a description of 
an extraordinary calf, of the Durham stock, be- 
longing to Dr. H. J. Bates, of Covington, New- 
ton county, Ga. The dimensions were, on 2d 
J une last, as follows : 
4 feel 10 inches in height, 
7 “ lOt “ “ length, 
4 “ 8^ “ “ girth behind the shoulders, 
20| “ “ round the arm near the body, 
.Supposed w-eight 4S0, or 500 pounds 
Age, when measured, 1 year, 3 months and 6 days. 
We believe we are safe in saying that almost 
every attempt to introduce the improved breeds 
of cattle into the southern States has ended in 
disappointment. They are liable to be attacked 
by a fatal disease, which is thought tobeinflama- 
tion of the brain. The first symptom is a very 
languid appearance of the animal. Loss of ap- 
petite follows — then short, quick breathing, and 
fever, and sometimes cough — all ending in death' 
To avoid this result, as far as possible, it is re- 
commended that none but young cattle be im- 
ported — to bring them into the country early in 
the fall — to feed well with good hay through the 
winter — to turn them out in spring to good pas- 
ture of tender, succulent grass, •where there is 
easy access to pure water and abundance of shade. 
Through the latter part of summer and in the 
fall, they should be kept in a cool stable during 
the heat of the day, and during the night also — 
as it is thought the dews of September are as in- 
jurious as the heat of the midday sun in summer. 
If with such treatment they can be kept alive for 
two years, they may, perhaps, stand the climate, 
provided always they can get something besides 
shucks to cat in winter, and something better 
than sedge grass pastures to range in during sum- 
mer. 
Would it not be better to depend on our native 
stock? It appears to us that all we need in the 
southern States, to enable us to have beef, milk, 
butter, and cheese as good as man can desire, is, 
in the first place, judicious selections from our 
own stock — then good pasture in summer — 
plenty of hay and good shelter in winter — and 
gentle treatment at all times. With means of 
this sort in abundance,' our native stock will be 
found, we think, to answer all our purposes ; es- 
pecially if our servants, and very many masters, 
too, can be induced to remember that there is 
some little difference between a cow and a mule, 
as to the manner in which they should be treat- 
ed. What else than blue-john, in the very high- 
est state of perfection, can be* expected from cows 
fed on shucks and exposed to wind and rain all 
winter — turned out to sedge-grass pastures in 
spring, and brought up every evening in a trot or 
gallop, by the little negroes and dogs, or a big 
negro on horseback. 
Sugar for Manure. 
Did 3'ou ever hear the like of this before ? A 
writer in an English paper, the Mark Lane Ex- 
press, says ; “Sugar will, now the price is re- 
duced, I have no doubt, be extensively used. I 
speak from experience when 1 say that, ol all 
extraneous manures (if one it may be called,) 
it has produced mote visible effects, in the least 
space of time, than any other I everu.sed, and 
is strictly what the turnip requires in the first 
stage of its growth. I would strongly recom- 
mend it to be tried on a small scale mixed with 
ashes.” 
Prof. Shepard’s Analyses. 
We, at last, have an account of the inorganic 
elements of Cotton Wool, Cotton Seed, Indian 
Cora and Sweet Potatoes. See the account of 
Prof. Shepard’s analyses of these articles in an- 
other part of this paper. Those who cultivate 
these crops now may know what their soil must 
contain to supply the inorganic constituents of 
such parts of these plants as have been examin- 
ed. We wait anxiously for the further analyses 
promised of southern Agricultural productions. 
Mr. Priutice’s Sale. 
The sale of IMr. Printice’s herd of improved 
Short Horned Cattle took place on the 25th ult , 
at Mount Hope, near Albany, New York. The 
prices at which the cattle were sold would indi- 
cate that they must have been very superior in- 
deed. Sixteen cows, from 4 to 1 1 years old, went 
at prices varying from SO to 215 dollars: fifteen 
heifers and heifer calves, from two weeks to 
three years old, at from 45 to 225 dollars ; and ten 
bulls and bull calves, from three days to five years 
old, at from 25 to 205 dollars. 
Total 41 animals S4,622 50 
• Average §112 75 
There is some inducement for men to pay at- 
tention to the improvement of cattle when they 
can sell them for such prices. 
An Independent Man. 
It seems to us that, with a little self-denial, 
every man in the country might place himself 
in a situation like that described by the Far- 
mer’s Gazette. “We fell into conversation,” 
says the Gazette, “a lew days ago with a gentle- 
man who resides but a short distance from 
Chesterfield Conn House, S. C,, on the subject 
of his farming prospects the present year. He 
informed us, that he expected his corn crop 
would prove an entire failure— but, he remark- 
ed, he had corn enough to last another year. 
We observed, that if the corn failed, there was 
but a slight prospect ot7nasie, and bacon would 
be scarce. He assented, but said he nevei fat- 
tened his hogs on maste; it was his habit to 
plant a good pea crop, and give the hogs the 
run of the fields, alter he had gathered his corn ; 
but, said he, it m}' pea crop fails, I have bacon 
enough to last another )'ear — and, if I oice any 
mail a, cent, I don'' t knoio it 1 Here, then, is a 
man who has an abundance of bread and meat, 
and has practically carried out the Scriptural 
injunction, ‘ owe no man anything.’ May we 
not lairly set him down zs an independent man." 
The Season. 
Many persons are speaking of the past spring 
and present summer, up to the middle of Julv, 
as the dryest and hottest that we have ever had 
in the Southern States. It has been, in these 
particulars, very lemarkable, indeed; but not 
without parallel by any means. A writer in a 
Charleston paper has been l.ioking into the re- 
cords of the past ; and has furnished us with the 
following extracts fri m an account, by Dr, 
Chalmers, of the spring and summer ol 175'2. 
The preceding spring having been unusually 
dry and not more than .5.41 inches of rain lall- 
