SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 
89 
ly the Dioscorea Japonica. It is, we believe, from China ; 
and a few specimens have been brought to this country, 
to be tried as a substitute for the Irish Potato, which, of 
late, has rotted badly in many sections. A French pa- 
per {Galignani) gives us the following account of it: — 
■‘‘This plant, says the writer of a paper sent to the Cen- 
tral Agricultural Society, may. by its size, weight and 
hardy character, became exceedingly valuable in France, 
as it will serve as a substitue for the potato. Its tu- 
bers, like those of the Jerusalem Artichoke, resist in 
the open air the severest winter, without sustaining any 
injury. Several specimens of these roots, of very large 
size, were presented in 1852 totlie Society, one of which, 
of cylindrical form, was three feet in length : another 
presented in 1853, weighed three pounds ; the former 
having been in earth 20 months, and the latter 10. The 
flavor of this vegetable is more delicate than that of the 
potato.” 
L. T. P., Milledgeville, Ga. — See advertisements of 
Madagascar Rabbits in present number. They are wmrth 
from $10 to $15 per pair — the former price for fair young 
specimens of 4 to 6 months old. 
W. B. J. Mount Comfort, Tenn. — You can obtain a 
Clover Seed Huller or Cleaner, from E. Whitman & Co., 
of Baltimore, Md. It is hard to say which is the best 
Mower and Reaper combined.’' “Atkins’ Automaton 
Self-Raker,” would be our first choice : but Allen’s, 
Manny’s. Ketchum’s, Hussey’s and McCormick’s are all 
highly spoken of. We have not sufficient knowledge of 
fcheir relative merits, to decide for you. 
THE NEXT FAIR—THE PEEMITJM LIST. 
The remainder of the Premium List did not reach us in 
time for present number, but will appear in our next. The 
location of the Fair is not yet settled ; it now stands be- 
tween Atlanta and Macon, with, perhaps the strongest 
leaning toward the former city. The Executive Committee 
will meet here on the 6th of this month, for the purpose of 
definitely arranging this and other matters. Should any- 
thing worthy of note transpire at the meeting, it shall be 
made known in our April number. 
MULBERRIES FOR HOGS. 
V A Subscriber ” wishes to obtain some information 
in regard to the “Hicks Mulberry,” of which much has 
been said in former volumes of this journal. Any of our 
readers who possess the genuine continuous bearing vari- 
ety, will confer a favor by furnishing us a plain and 
truthful statement of its merits, for publication; or, if 
averse to appearing in print, they may address the Editors 
privately. If the Hicks Mulberrif is really as valuable 
as some aver, no time should be lost in disseminating it 
more widely throughout the country. We hope those 
who possess a familiar knowledge of it, will promptly re- 
spond to “A Subscriber’s” (and our owm) call for infor- 
mation. 
P. Barry, Esq., the practical and tasteful editor of 
The Horticulturist,'” of Rochester, N. Y., will accept 
our thanks for a copy of the “ Proceedings of the Third 
Session of the American Pomological Society f held in 
Boston on the 13th, 14th and 15th of September, 1854. 
|^°The “Journal op Agriculture” is the title of 
' a new monthly of 32 pages, just started at Washington 
\ City, by J. D, B. DeBow. Terms— SI per annum in ad- 
I vance. 
Randall’s Cotton Planter. — If the patentee or manu- 
facturer of this implement will address S. R. Cockrili., 
Esq , Nashville, Tenn., he may “hear of something to his 
advantage.” Can any person tell us anything respecting 
the merits of this -‘Planter,”, its cost, or where it may be 
obtained! 
“ Arthur’s Home Magazine is, in all respects, one 
of our very best litei'ary exchanges. It is what its name 
imports, a “Home Magazine,” well calculated to instruct 
and amuse both th§ young and old members of the family 
circle. Terms — $2 per year, in advance. Specimen 
numbers sent free. Address, T. S. Arthur & Co., 107 
Walnut street, Philadelphia. 
High Prices for Negroes. — The Columbia (S. C.) 
Tniies of the 2d of January, says ; The stringency of the 
money market, and the cry of “hard times,” does not ap- 
pear to have had any effect upon the value of negroes. 
Messrs. March & Sharp sold a lot yesterday at the follow- 
ing prices. 
2 old negroes, of 80 years of age, each. . . .S285 
1 old man, of 80 years of age lOO 
1 old man, of 100 years of age 41 
1 old woman, of 90 years of age 115 
1 woman, 25 years of age, and 5 children . . 1 ,950 
1 fellow, 28 years of age 700 
1 fellow, 17 years of age 870 
1 woman, 28 years of age, and 2 children.. 810 
1 girl, 13 years of age 510 
A man, 26 ; a woman, 23, and an infant. . 1,750 
1 fellow, 20 years old 970 
1 fellow, 18 years old 1,020 
1 woman and child 735 
A man, wife and two children 1,515 
1 fellow, 20 years 1 ,050 
Woman and three children 1 ,120 
Others were sold at prices ranging from $‘575 toSSlh. 
Bread. — Wheat divested of ah its bran does not con- 
tain enough of the health-giving ingredients, particularly 
of phosphate of lime, to satisfy the demands of nature. 
Bread should be more thoroughly baked than it is usual- 
ly, and not eaten warm from the oven. 
Dry bread should never be thrown away. By soaking 
and re-converting it into dough, it can be again baked in- 
to excellent bread. It is of such materials that the de- 
licious tea rusk are made. Bread of fine flour is too much 
eaten. 
We recommend farmers to have their wheat ground 
more coarsely, and only take out a portion of the bran. 
They may also add corn or rye meal, with advantage to 
economy and health. It will be also economical in the 
country to add potatoes. 
Childre.n — E aTiNG AND SLEEPING. — A Well informed 
medical writer says that immediately alter eating, if chil- 
dren incline to sleep, they should be indulged in that pro- 
i pensity. The stomach makes large demands on the circu- 
lation of the blood for the purposes of digestion ; and as it 
and the brain are like two mills on one stream ; when the 
one is engaged to the full extent, the other must suspend 
its operations. Very much of the dyspepsia and bowel 
complaints that prevail among business men is attributable 
to the violation of thi.s law. Afier eating a full dinner they 
keep the brain at work, and let the stomach take care of 
itselL At evening new matters are added to the half di- 
gested contents, and if a turn of cholera morbus does not 
clean out the offending matter, they may accumulate to a 
bilious colic or pass gradually away, making a dyspepsia. 
The Horticulturist. — The club of subscribers to this 
valuable monthly, are informed that our February list 
was kept open until a few days since, when it was 
sent on to the publisher. The back numbers will be soon 
forthcoming, and regularly forwarded hereafter. We 
make this brief explanation in answer to several letters of 
inquiry. 
