58 
THE SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 
■while, tlmt Fomo of your oorresnondents were 
anonymous, whir' others sisn. d their real names. 
We h ar some ^ uinbdng among the latt r c'ass 
occasional y~ pray don’t let them fall out bv the 
way for so trivial a cause. T like very much to 
s'e the proper name at ihe end of each article, but 
■when a g lod reason exists for withholding it, let 
us have the article without the name. How I 
like to see T. .Affleck, M. W. Philips, Solon Uo- 
binson, or s img other “ srood and lawful” name 
attach'd toon arfcle ; v( t, who can say that 
these men have accompli hed more than *■ Com- 
mentator.” " Agricola,” ‘‘A. of the North,” and 
many others like them. Tell them, IVlj. Editor, 
to give us a ffood chiistinn name, if they can, 
and if they can’t do that, let t^em do the best 
they can without the name. 
Respectfully, your Friend, 
Joel Hurt. 
Crawford, Russell Co., Ala., Afar. ISfh, ’46. 
Clearing I_aud. 
Mr. Camak — As there are some of your read- 
ers who may yet have land to c’ ear, I propose 
makinea few remarks, the results of my expe- 
rience and reflections, on the manner and t’me 
of clearing land, in which the labor spent will be 
most productive; the soil most easily brought 
into cultivation, and the timber kept most valu- 
able. I will briefly sta e, fir-t, the process which 
I wou'd recommend, then state my reasons, &c. 
I do not hesitate to think that I would havebeen 
benefitted some hundred.s of dollars by the course 
I now recommend, if I had known and pursued 
it for the last six years. As the season is not 
yet too far advanced, I hope it will benefit some 
of vour leaders. 
The course I recommend is, first burn off the 
leaves, underbrush, &c., in the usual way of 
burning wmods, in the spring. If it is done ear- 
ly. the burning will be more uniform and easily 
effected, as tl.e leaves have not been blown by 
the wind into seperate heaps; if it is done after 
the sap begins to run the small growth is more 
eff’jctually killed, and I prefer it. 
After burning, at any leisure time, it should be 
cleaned by cutting down (not grubb'ng> all the 
small growth and putting it into heaps, together 
■w'ith all the dead logs, &c., and if convenient it 
maybe plowed with a coulter or dull scooter. 
The next step is one on which I lay particular 
stre s ; which is to wait until the month of Alu- 
gust, an-l, if you have any faith in the moon, to 
wait until a few days before the full, but I think 
any time in August, then go over the whole 
ground and deaden all the trees, which can be 
done more easily than at any other time, most 
trees requinng only to have the bark cut through. 
After this split rails, fence, burn logs, clean, plow, 
plant as tisual. 
The main advantages of this system are the 
following : fi st, much labor is saved by burning 
the leaves and undergrowth out of the way ; se- 
cond, the labor of grubbing is saved, while the 
roots of the grubs'^ are more- certairrly killed ; 
third, the horse in plowing is not so frequently 
stumped, as the snag of the sprout, or bull-head, 
as it is pithily called, turns the plow aside; 
which turning also gives a t’wist to the root and 
causes it sooner to die. 
There is a time in May, which I call the nick 
of time, for burning, (in dry season ;) itis when, 
in most trees, the leaves of spring arj fully grown 
and before a second growth has commenced. 
The second great step in theprocess flows from 
a G'- and Secret, viz: Rails and 'Rimber, for all 
purposes, cut in August ara more durable than the 
like timber cut at any other time. And this, I 
am bold to assert, and can substantiate by argu- 
ment — Uncle Sam, his live-oak cutters and an- 
cient usage, to the contrary notwithstanding. 
It is also thought that the roots will rot out of 
the way sooner. This is yet with me a matter 
of investigation. But about the rails I am as 
confident as the boy who exclaimed, “Chesnut 
rails is the idee for a fence ; they last forever ; 
dad’s tiled them often ; I knows.” And, enpas- 
sant, of another thing! am as confident, and for 
the boy’s reason ; and that is that fence corners 
and pasture lands sprouted in August will remain 
clean longer than if grubbed at most other times 
of the year. 
I hope, iMr. Editor, that some of your corres- 
pondents will think on the matter, and correct 
any error which they may see in my plan. 
I have frequently mentioned my thoughts in 
this matter, and the only strong' obiection which 
1 have heard, and it was pretty much of a dam- 
per at first, but has occurred so recently, that] 
have not had time to collect facts in the case ; 
it was this, " You are right, but it will kill your 
land too.” 
Now, sir, one motive in making this communi- 
cation is to draw out well ascertained facts, bear- 
ing upon this matter, from the stores of experi- 
ence laid up by many of yourrea‘'ers. Are there 
any facts which they will give in regard to the 
injury resulting from ki ling timber in summer? 
I once bought a little experience in regard to 
plowing wet land ; which I would do, because 1 
could not get a reason, as well as an assertion, 
for it, and I have ever since been cautious how' 
I rejected a statement made by one of OldUsages 
chiidien. 
I think the objection here, however, invalid; 
and that it arises only from observing the effect 
on the wild growth, and not by noticing the pro- 
duct after cultivation 
Agriculturists should observe carefully and not 
draw their deductions mo so; n. Yours, 
A. S. OF Hakwood Farm. 
Lebanon P. O , Cobb co , Aiarch 11, 1S46. 
Subsoil Plows, Corn and Cob Mills, Straw 
Cutters, Large kettles. Boiling Corn 
for Hogs, &e.,&c. 
Mr. Ca.mak: — I herew iih send you a rough 
draught of a subsoil plow, (f.r your own in-pec 
tion, as I presume you have no means ot trans- 
feiring it to the Cultivator,) which 1 have had 
in use for the last two years. It is a combina- 
tion of two plows, or rather, of a plow, the 
twisted shovel — and the broad-dart-shaped-point 
Coulter, which latter, I had first made, (and the 
first I ever saw in that shape) to run in a com- 
mon Coulter stock after another plow. But, on 
reflection, 1 came to the conclusion that I could 
combine the two, and so save the labor of one 
hand by doubling rny team, and, J am happy 
to say to you, that 1 have succeeded in making 
a fubsoil plow, with which I am much pleased. 
It is, however, most probably not to be compar- 
ed with the late inventions of Messrs, Proutv 
& Mears, Ruggles, Nourse & Co., and others, 
that are so highly spoken of in our Agricultural 
papers ; neitheref which have I had the pleasure 
of using or even seeing. But, it is an i ■nple- 
ment that will, when properly constructed, and 
drawn by a good team, 1 think, give satisfaction 
to all of my biother Farmers who have not seen 
or used a better. 
You will perceive by the figure, though bad- 
ly drawn, ihd# the small turning plow runs a- 
head. It may be set to run a furrow as deep as 
may be pioper to turn a ttiin soil. The Coulter 
follows in its wake, and may be set to run as 
deep as desired, or as the team may be able to 
pull it. It bleaks, like a mole, without Iming- 
ing the subsoil to the surface. The bar of the 
Coulter should be two and a half inches wide, 
by three-fourths thick. The point, which is 
made it the shape of an fscsccZcs triangle, should 
be about 8 inches on the two longer and equal 
sides, and 6 inches on the shorter sii'e, or across 
the heel. It should be laid with steel and set at 
something over a right angle with fhe front edge 
of the bar. It is nof necessary, I presume, to 
describe the “jack” or “ twisted shovel,” as 
most farmers have seen oneor the other of them. 
Either will do to run before the Coulter. Or, 
to those that are opposed to turning iheir land, 
1 would say, put on a common shovel or bull 
tongue, in place of the turning plow, and “ go 
ahead” 
I have been anxious to procure one of Proutv 
& Mears’, or Ruggles, Nourse & Co.’s subsoil 
plows, but have not yet succeeded. It is said of 
the former: “ These arelight in theirstructure, 
simple in construction, easy in draft and man- 
agement, adapted to a common team on com- 
mon farms, viz; for two to four horses, or oxen, 
and efficient in operation. The weight does not 
exceed that of a common plow.” * * * 
“The fact that No. 2, working at the depth of 
12 inches, after a light span of horses, driven 
and held by ahoy, for a whole day, with ease to 
himself and team, and the work performed in 
such a manner as to call forth ihe unqualified 
approbation of numerous iniel igent fanners, is 
conclusive, as to ease ol drali, &c.” This plow, 
as well as those of Messrs. Ruggles, Nourse & 
Mason, are highly spoken of by most persons 
that have used them. Col. B. F. P, of Green- 
ville, S. C., inaleiierto me, on Agiicultural 
subjects, says: “I have the honor of iuir.'du- 
cing the first subsoil plow into Greenville Dis- 
trict. It costs only ten dollars, and is easily 
drawn by two horses. By running a common 
plow in front, you may plow with it ten or fif- 
teen inches deep. By subsoiling our hill sides, 
we prevent their washing. The water sinks 
down through the Subsoil instead of sweeping 
over, and carrying ((ff the surface. Kvny Far- 
mer should have this plow, if he wishes to pre- 
serve and pulverize his soil.” 
I believe the development of facts growing 
Out of the application ofihe principles of Cliem- 
isiry to Agriculture, with the useot the subsoil 
plow, on our lands that have been well protect- 
ed by hill-side or grade ditches, vviil form a new 
era in the science of Agricultute. With hill- 
side ditches and subsoil phunng to protect our 
land from washing, and chemical analysis, to 
point out the character ol our soils and the ne- 
cessary manures lo render them productive, 
we farmeis had better stay at hoti e, and let 
speculators, and others that choose, go to Texas. 
1 was much pleased wiih ihe excellent address 
of Mr. Sar-neit, published in the Cultivator, 
and fully concur with him in the conclu-ion he 
has come to on the subject ol hil'-sitie ditching. 
And 1 will vouch for the (act, that if his advice 
is well followed in Georgia, or elsewhere, there 
will be less “ running away” of land than there 
has been heretofore. 
On the subject of asking Legislative aid to 
Agricoliure,^ 1 would say to Mr. S., You had 
as well “sing psalms to a dead horse.” Well, 
it is our own fault. When our Legislature is 
composed of the proper materials, ve may ex- 
pect aid, and not be/vire. Think you if our 
worthy (Governors had recommended an increase 
of so.' aries or fees, instead ol fo.stering the Agii- 
cultural interests, they would not have been 
better sustained ? But you will perhaps say, 1 
am meddling with politics, so to my subject. 
In addition to subsoil plow.s, there are other 
implements ol husbandry we stand much in need 
of. A northern farmer would keep an extra 
animal on what we wmuld wasie in feeding halt 
a dozen! We need Com and Cob Crushers, 
Straw Cutters, and also large Kettles to boil 
food for our Cows and Hogs. Of the latter 
Messrs. Cooper & Stroup cf Cass county, Ga., 
can furnish any number, I presume, that mav be 
called for I have oDe on my farm, near the Fur- 
nace, which he Ids about 60 gallons. In this 
kettle, put up in a rough furnace, corn for 120 
hogs, fatted the past season, was boiled daily, 
and, I might add, nightly, for it was kept in use 
all the time. Occasionally a kettle of 'Turnips 
or Ar/icAete were given, and now and then, a 
handlul of sn.lt, or a shovel or two of ashes, were 
thrown into the kettle when boiling. 
Not onlv the Corn was eaten without any 
waste, but the Cobs were masticated, Ihe juices 
sucked out, and I believe a part swallowed. I 
never had hogs to thrive faster, or, as I believe, 
fatten on less food. 
But this was loo much trouble, some would 
say. Well, it was some trouble, to be sure ; for 
it required the constant attention of one of my 
best hands. But the corn saved by this trouble, 
lor which I expect a fair price ere long, wdll 
more than compensate for it, besides paying 
Messrs. Cooper & Stroup lor the kettle, which 
is now in daily u.*e in boiling turnips and ar- 
tichokes, with a portion of corn meal, (here you 
seethe necessity ol a cob mill,) to mix with my 
cut food for my cows and calves.. 
You would not, I think, censure a man, Mr. 
Editor, for thus economising, especially if he 
had scarcely corn enough to make ends meet. 
Nor do /fear censure, even when I inform you, 
I have not only a plenty for my own use but 
some to '■'■take to the depot," lo supply the wants 
of our low-country friend.?. Poor Richard in- 
