IMPROVEMENT OF FARMS.—SOUTHERN PRODUCTS. 
21 
pends; we consequently see the importance of 
putting manure in a situation where these gases 
may not be lost, either in a compost heap well 
covered with substances which have an absorbing 
power, such as charcoal, common earth, &c., or 
with something that will by a chemical change 
give off what would be useless or hurtful to plants, • 
and take up what is beneficial in its place. Plas¬ 
ter of Paris, potash, soda, common salt, &c., act in 
this way. Sometimes there is contained in the 
soil in a latent state, as much nourishment as 
would supply all the plants that could be raised 
on it for a long time, providing there was em¬ 
ployed some chemical a^ent to liberate it. This 
accounts for the wonderful effects of lime in some 
cases. 
All animal and vegetable substances contain the 
elements of plants; nothing therefore on a farm 
should be lost. If a farmer wishes to add speedily 
to his productions, he must convert every refuse 
substance into manure. The more manure he 
has, the greater will be his crops, and after a farm 
is once in good order, it is very easy to keep it so. 
Hundreds of substances are thrown aside and 
wasted, which would add to the quantity and im¬ 
prove the quality of the manure heap. 
Manure is the laborer’s friend; it makes the 
ground more easily tilled, and pays invariably for 
itself. In other countries they use much manure, 
for it is the only way they can produce the abun¬ 
dant crops that reward them for their labor. Ever}' 
farmer should have a compost heap, into which 
he could put ail his manure from his stables, and 
also deposite ail his weeds, ashes, house slops, 
dead animals, feathers, rags, mortar, shavings, 
leaves of trees, &c.; and this should be constructed 
on a side hill if possible, that everything could be 
thrown in easily from above, and an opening 
left from top to the bottom on the lower side, so 
that it could be closed with boards shoved in 
proper grooves, which could be taken out separ¬ 
ately, to facilitate the removal of the compost. 
Land is always best when it contains a proper 
proportion of clay, lime, and sand, with a suitable 
quantity of animal and vegetable manure. When 
either of these is wanting, it should be added, 
for it has been found that such additions have 
produced the most beneficial effects. 
Our undivided attention should be paid to the 
improvement of the land we have under our care. 
If we employed more thought and reflection in 
our farming operations, and used the means in 
our power with more sound judgment, then could 
we expect to see the best results following our 
exertions. If farmers would commence a series 
of experiments on a small scale at first, and when 
they ascertained what would best answer their 
purpose, then pursue it, they, would soon find 
how much more valuable and productive they 
would make their farms. There is no ques¬ 
tion but that one of our greatest misfortunes is, 
that we have too much land; we do not value 
it sufficiently; we do not properly attend to it. 
There are but very few who have ever put their 
lands to the test, to show what their powers are. 
A system of robbery exists over the fairest and 
most eligible land in our country; and when the 
land becomes partially exhausted, the husband¬ 
man, instead of improving his farm by good culti¬ 
vation, and the application of a proper kind of 
manure, concludes to sell out and purchase another 
farm where land is less expensive and more pro¬ 
ductive,—a very bad practice, frequently bringing 
sorrowful disappointment from the severing of 
family ties and old associations, and also from 
blasted pecuniary expectations. 
Such a spirit is manifested in every part of 
our country; even in Dutchess, one of the most 
productive counties in this state, we find that 
many farmers are becoming dissatisfied with their 
healthy and favorably-situated farms, and are 
emigrating to other states, where much uncer¬ 
tainty exists whether the climate will agree with 
them, or if they will ever receive sufficient re¬ 
turns to satisfy them for the sacrifices they must 
make. If such farmers would commence improv¬ 
ing their lands, beginning on a small scale, they 
would soon find, that owing to the greater prices 
obtained for their produce in this market, they 
could compete with the farmers of any state of 
the Union, and would remain eligibly situated in 
a healthy country, having all the benefits of a long- 
established society of well-bred and intelligent 
people. 
Henry A. Field, M. D. 
New-York, March , 1843. 
For the American Agriculturist. 
SOUTHERN PRODUCTS. 
Mississippi City , 18/A Feb., 1843. 
A. B. Allen, Esq.—Our country offers the strong¬ 
est inducement to manufacturers, particularly of 
coarse cotton and woollen goods, which would 
find a large home market. The raw material 
being made on the spot, and then the article man¬ 
ufactured wanted for consumption; our fine water 
power, mild and healthy climate—very far sur¬ 
passing for health any point in the northern 
states—would induce people skilled in the busi¬ 
ness to work here for the same wages they do 
North; and they would greatly prefer it when 
well acquainted with the facts as they really 
exist. I know the northern people generally con¬ 
sider the whole South a graveyard. The reason 
this idea is so prevalent is, that heretofore no at¬ 
tention has been given to the healthy portions of 
our country, because there the lands are so poor 
compared with those where the country is sickly, 
and we are now but beginning to learn the capa¬ 
bilities and value of our poor lands. 
Another important branch of business is likely 
to do much for this section of country. The pal¬ 
metto root, which almost covers the country near 
the seashore, is found to contain a large quantity 
of tannin, whether as much as oak bark I can not 
say, but from experiment, I know it contains plenty 
to answer all the purposes for carrying on the 
tanning business successfully. These roots lay 
almost on the top of the ground, three to ten or 
twelve starting from one common centre, or top 
root, and frequently grow ten feet long, and from 
two and a half to four inches diameter, of a spongy 
fibrous texture, the leaves springing out of the ex- 
