Extract from a French Paper.—Gin Bands,—Wool Growing.—Cone’s Dynamometer. ft 
question, for while some of its species derive their 
azote from the air, others receive it from decomposed 
organic matter, that is, from manures. This conside¬ 
ration will show what important practical interest may 
be found in results which appear purely scientific. 
Every one is aware of the importance of this ques¬ 
tion of manures, which in all ages and countries, agri¬ 
culture has been striving to solve. Thayer proved 
theoretically that the more a substance was animalized, 
that is, azotized, the more readily did it restore the 
fertility of exhausted soils, and M. Boussingaut has 
ascertained that the most active fodder is that which 
contains most azote. The exhausting action of vege¬ 
tation is principally exerted on substances that contain 
this element. The question of manures then may be 
thus stated : to ascertain what plants draw least azote 
from the manure, and with them to raise herbiverous 
animals; whose dung will restore to the earth the 
azote requisite for plants which derive their element 
from the manures only. 
M. Boussingaut has attempted this problem by di¬ 
rect experiment. He weighed and analyzed the more 
common seeds, and the manure used in their cultiva¬ 
tion. By a comparison of these weights with the pro¬ 
duce obtained, he proved that the crops generally con¬ 
tain twice as much carbon as the seeds and manure; 
the surplus must have been derived from the atmo¬ 
sphere. The same crops had doubled their hydrogen, 
but contained only one and a half times the original 
quantity of azote. There were some exceptions to 
these general results. Thus in the wheat crop we find 
precisely the same azote as in the seed and manure, 
for wheat takes only carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen 
from the air. The Jerusalem artichoke, on the con¬ 
trary, quintuples the carbon, and doubles the azote of 
the seed and manure. A hectare of land, planted in 
artichokes, takes from the air in two years 13,000 kilo¬ 
grammes of carbon and 130 kilogrammes of azote. 
These results interest the economist as deeply as the 
savant. Such researches are peculiarly attractive to 
the statesman who considers that agriculture consti¬ 
tutes the true wealth of nations, the only wealth be¬ 
yond the reach of political revolutions. It is plain that 
the cultivation of the Jerusalem artichoke a common 
and hardy plant, must prove very useful. Experience 
here confirms the predictions of theory. The culture 
has been greatly extended of late years in Alsace, and 
it is to be wished that the rest of France would follow 
the example of a province where agriculture is most 
advanced. 
But when plants are surrounded by atmospheric air, 
and thus in a manner bathed in azote, why are azotised 
manures so necessary ? Because azote, to be useful, 
must, like carbon and hydrogen, be united to other 
bodies. It enters the plant in the state of ammonia, 
of azotic acid, or of an azotate, and is there reduced, 
so as to form with water and carbon the vegetable 
subtanees most needful to the animal kingdom. These 
facts explain the office of manures, and bring the pro¬ 
blem of their production to this very simple expression; 
to produce ammonia cheaply and fix azote at the least 
cost. 
Gin bands .—The letter which follows, from 
Doctor Vaiden, details a great saving in the 
cost of gin bands, and as he is a practical 
planter, we have no doubt of the value of this 
substitute for leather ; and at any rate, being 
made from cotton, will more strongly recom¬ 
mend its adoption among southern gentle¬ 
men, and adds another item to the consump 
tion of the great staple article of the south. 
For the American Agriculturist . 
Sliongalo, Mississippi , Nov. 29, 1842. 
Gent. —As your paper has a circulation among the 
cotton planters, any thing promotive of this interest 
you should publish. Every individual in this country 
who has a cotton gin, before starting it, is subjected to 
the trouble and expense of procuring a gin band at the 
cost of one dollar per foot, (if made well,) besides con¬ 
suming a buckskin annually, and a half hour daily in 
repairing it. I was subjected to all this until recently, 
when it was proposed by a friend who had tried it, 
that I should substitute one of cotton towels for the 
old one made of leather. This was agreed to, and 
within a few hours, my gin was in successful operation, 
without having ever annoyed me by breaking or throw¬ 
ing the band. The manner of making, is simply to cut 
the cloth the right length, doubling it into six folds; 
which, if it be a yard wide, leaves it six inches, then 
stitching it the entire length with strong thread, often 
enough to keep it from puckering. The cost of the 
one made of towels is $2, that of the leather fron $30 
to $40. C. M. Vaiden. 
From Doctor Phillips’ letter of 29th November, we 
make the following extract:— 
“ I think we of Mississippi, can raise wool for sale, 
cheaper than the north can. I would not say about 
diseases, but so far as my experience goes, disease is 
very trifling. We can have pastures the year round, 
on land that costs not the tithe of your eastern lands, 
and no expense but salt and minding. At all events, 
we can have mutton—that meat of all meats. 
(i I have heard of an engagement of home made pork 
at 3 cts per lb., and of corn having been sold at 25 cts. 
per bushel. This certainly speaks well for necessaries, 
and if we, as farmers, will only continue to do thus for 
five years, we shall be more independent, though cot¬ 
ton, our great staple, commands a low price. I am 
not sure but the low price will be a permanent advan¬ 
tage, for many of us will devote time and attention to 
improve our condition, both as regards our domestic 
concerns, as well as our minds; and when we have 
fallen into the plain way, I think the most of us will 
steadfastly pursue it. 
“ I have had the pleasure of reading over the great 
doings of your State Show and Fair. Great times you 
must have had. May it be greater and greater, until 
our whole country becomes interested and engaged.” 
For the American Agriculurist. 
Cone’s Dynamometer. 
Gent. — I send you a rough drawing and description 
of a very cheap, simple, and effectual Dynamometer. 
Every farmer can have one if he chooses; the only 
thing is to hit upon some plan to have them uniform 
throughout the Union. 
Mr. Cone exhibited his plan at the Genesee Cattle 
Show and Fair, in October. The time was so short, 
however, after the plowing match was over, that it 
could not be applied to any of the plows. It was 
sufficiently tried, however, to satisfy any one as to its 
accomplishing all that could be required of the most 
perfect instrument. 
Take the beam of any patent scales that will weigh 
as high as 10 or 12 cwt. Suspend it by the upper hook, 
and put sufficient weight upon the lower hook to 
balance the beam. Then hang upon the small end a 
one pound weight, and put sufficient weight upon the 
