IMPROVED -STOCK IV 
253 
ir^i^siip . -farmers and mechanics in Mississippi. 
them with earth, a good stock is qu ck y obtained 
with which to cover his fields. Thus; although the 
growth is so rank as to cause him labor, yet in this 
Stacking Rice, Luzon.—Fig. 
hot climate its decay is equally rapid, which tends 
to make his labors more successful. 
The rice-stacks form a picturesque object on the 
field; they are generally placed 
around or near a growth of bam¬ 
boo, whose tall, graceful, and 
feathery outline is of itself a 
beautiful object, but connected 
as it is often seen with the re¬ 
turns of the harvest, it furnishes 
an additional source of gratifica¬ 
tion. 
The different kinds of rice, 
and especially the upland, would 
no doubt be an acquisition to our 
country. At the time we were 
at Manilla, it was not thought 
feasible to pack it, for it had just 
been reaped, and was so green 
that it would not have kept. 
Although rice is a very prolific 
crop, yet it is subject to many 
casualties., from the locusts and 
i-ther insects that devour it; the 
bought at other times affects it, 
particularly the aquatic varie¬ 
ties. There is a use to which 
ibe rice is applied here, which 
was new to us, namely, as a sub¬ 
stitute for razors ; by using two 
grains of it between the fingers, 
they nip the beard, or extract it 
from the chin and face.— Naira • 
tivc of the U. S. Exploring Ex¬ 
pedition. 
IMPROVED STOCK IN MISSISSIPPI. 
Sheep.— My general plan for breeding sheep for 
some years, for plantation use, has been to cross the 
Bakewell (as we call them) on the Southdowns. I 
find that the produce is very hardy, of early maturity, 
easily fatted, and yields about eight pounds per head 
of medium wool, such as we require for family use, 
and worth in this market from twenty-five to thirty- 
three cents per pound. In addition to this, the mut¬ 
ton commands a better price in our market, and the 
carcass is at least a third heavier than the Saxony or 
Merino. I have imported several Bakewell and 
Southdown sheep from England, but consider the 
risk and expense of doing this hereafter as unnecessa¬ 
ry, as I feel confident that as good stock may be now 
had in this country. Indeed, my last importation has 
not improved my stock at all. 
Another plan in breeding with me isto select a por¬ 
tion of my coarse wool ewes, and put them to the 
Southdown ram, and the fine wool ewes to a Bake¬ 
well. In this way I get a heavy crop of good wool, 
and the best of mutton. For domestic purposes 
we do not want better wool at the South, and as to the 
mutton, the bare sight of it would make the mouth 
of even a London alderman drip like a fresh-tapped 
sugar-maple tree in February. 
In selecting the rams ordered, I wish you to obtain 
those of good size, fine compact forms, heavy quar¬ 
ters, long, wool, &c., &c. 
Cattle. —My experiment with Durhams has not 
been successful. I have imported from England at 
high prices; ransacked Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennes¬ 
see, for the best blood, and taken great pains with 
them when procured. The hot sun and coarse grass 
of the South do not suit them. They soon become 
delicate and unhealthy, and, compared with our na¬ 
tive stock, very unprofitable. We want well-shaded 
pastures of rich, soft grass, running water, and such 
attention as can only be given by those who are farm¬ 
ers and not planters. Then they would succeed, and 
do well; but as nobody in this country is situated to 
treat them in this way, it is folly to attempt anything 
beyond the half-bloods, which, crossed upon the large 
Choctaw cows, make good milkers and fine beef. 
Go one step beyond this, and they become nearly 
worthless. Such is my experience. In the hands 
of more enterprising agriculturists they may do better; 
but I doubt the practicability of breeding them in this 
climate. M. 
Mississippi, June , 1845. 
Farmers and Mechanics in Mississippi.—I 
wish that more of your northern farmers and mecha 
nics could be induced to settle among us. We are 
about one hundred years behind you in improvement 
This could be made a splendid country, if there were 
more of the northern enterprise here. There is no 
doubt in my mind but the sickness of this climate is 
caused in a great measure by the manner of living, 
and exposure to the sun. I know persons here that 
have never had a fever. We want good mechanics 
—men of steady habits, &c. We have a number 
