AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
43 
The latter consented, and remained silent under 
' the abuse of his antagonist. As the company 
were about separating, Voltaire remarked in bis 
conversation that upon a certain occasion, being 
quite famished, he had eaten more oysters than 
Sampson slew of the Philistines. “Cum eodem in- 
strumento ” (with the same instrument) immedi¬ 
ately retorted Pierre 
ABOUT BOOKS AND B OOK NOTICES. 
As this is not a literary journal, we make no pretensions 
to keeping its readers posted on literary topics. However 
pleasing or profitable it might be to fill a long row of book 
shelves with newly-bound “ editor’s copies” of the hun¬ 
dreds of books annually published, at the expense only of 
a column of random olf-hand “ notices,” we do not con¬ 
sider ourselves at liberty to thus appropriate valuable 
space which should be occupied with instructive articles 
on subjects immediately connected with soil culture. 
When any new work is issued which comes within our 
special department, if it be of such a character that we 
can, after a careful examination, recommend our readers 
generally to purchase it, we shall, as a matter of interest 
to them, speak of it in appropriate terms. 
Nothing furnishes a more striking evidence of the gen¬ 
eral interest awakened in reference to improvements in ag¬ 
riculture, horticulture, and kindred br&nehes of labor, than 
the great number of elegant and even costly volumes on 
these topics now being written, published, purchased and 
■ead. Even the libraries of city residents, as well as of 
clergymen, and other professional men in the country 
generally, are coming to be considered incomplete with¬ 
out they embrace a series of works on agriculture. And 
these are not alone confined to the mere practical details 
of planting and harvesting crops, in the field, orchard or 
garden. The aesthetics of agriculture, so to speak, are re¬ 
ceiving a greater share of attention than ever before. 
We ha-ve before us a large and beautiful octavo volume 
of 550 pages, just published by John P. Jewett and Com¬ 
pany, ofBoston, which is really worthy of a place in eve¬ 
ry well-to-do farmer’s library, and, indeed, in that of any 
other person. We copy the title-page. 
THE RURAL POETRY OF THE ENGLISH LAN¬ 
GUAGE. Illustrating the Seasons and the Months of the 
Year—their Changes, Employments, Lessons and Plea¬ 
sures, topically Paragraphed. With a Complete Index. 
By Joseph William Jenks, A.M., late Professor of Lan¬ 
guages in the Urbana University, Ohio. 
The work is very complete ; the index to the topics and 
poems alone occupying over twenty pages. We will not 
attempt an analysis or detailed description, but advise all 
who can conveniently do so to become the purchaser of a 
copy. We have already passed many hours in perusing 
its pages, and expect to spend many more in the same 
manner. We would be loth to part with our copy at any 
price. 
THE AMATEUR’S GUIDE AND FLOWER-GARDEN 
Directory; containing every Requisite Detail for the 
Successful Cultivation of the Flower Garden, &c.; to 
which is added, the Vegetable Garden Manual. By 
John T. C. Clark. Taylor & Maury, Washington, D.C. 
1856. 12mo, pp. 158. 
Amateurs are a growing class among us, and a good 
practical work, adapted to their wants, has long been a 
desideratum. Several works have been written to meet 
these wants, mostly by professional men, who have, as a 
general thing, very imperfect conceptions of the precise 
kind of knowledge needed by the amateur, or rather, per¬ 
haps, have been unfortunate in their mode of presenting 
it. Amateurs will welcome every well-meant endeavor 
to lessen the difficulties of their floral pursuits and enlarge 
their field of knowledge. Mr. Clark, who is an amateur, 
has embodied in the above volume the results of his own 
experience, with a view of benefiting others engaged in 
this delightful vocation. 
IOWA AND MINNESOTA.—John P. Jewett & Co. 
have just issued two Hand Books, one for Iowa and one 
for Minnesota, both by Nathan II. Parker, Esq. Both 
have well executed maps. An advertisement is inserted 
at the close of each book, indicating that the author is 
prepared to act as agent for purchasing lands, and for other 
business in these territories. This detracts somewhat from 
the value of the bosks, as no person thus interested can be 
supposed to wield a wholly impartial pen. Still, with these 
drawbacks the works contain much valuable infor¬ 
mation, and may be consulted wtlh profit by those seek¬ 
ing homes ir, either of those territories. 
CHINESE SUGAR-CANE. — The general interest 
awakened in regard to this new and promising plant has 
already called forth two books, which both treat upon this 
plant particularly and sugar-making generally. One is 
published by Jewett & Co. of Boston, and the other by C. 
M. Saxton & Co. of this city; the former edited by James 
F. C. Hyde, Esq. of Walnut Grove Nursery, Newtown 
Centre, Mass.; the latter by Chas. F. Stansbury, A. M., 
late Commissioner at the London Exhibition for the In¬ 
dustry of all Nations. That by Jewett & Co. was pub¬ 
lished nearly a month earlier than the one by Saxton & 
Co., which was delayed by a crowd of other books from 
the same press. We make this statement in justice to 
the latter publishers, as we, by request, examined the 
manuscript some time before w r e heard of the design of 
Jewett & Co., to issue a similar work. We are, there¬ 
fore, quite sure the books were conceived, written and 
published quite independent of each other, and not in a 
spirit of opposition. Either of the books may be obtained, 
post-paid, we believe, by remitting 25 cents to the respec¬ 
tive publishers; and those who design to cultivate the 
plant extensively, or who desire to read beyond what may 
be found in this journal, will do well to secure a copy of 
one or both or th.ese books. 
NOTICES TO CORRES PONDENTS 
AND GLEANINGS. 
Asparagus Culture.—We have received a com¬ 
munication from Sereno Wright upon this topic. 
Sugar.cane vs. Acstlity ©ft Tcmper.-Our 
fair friend from Wilmington, Mass..who wishes to know if 
the Sorghum is a corrective of sour temper, is respectfully 
informed thatits cultivation by her sex will never fully solve 
the question. As for the other sex, they have so much of 
the article that needs correcting that we think it will take 
a sweeter remedy to meet their case. The seeds of the 
vegetable egg we shall plant with special care and look 
for the result with interest. 
Grapes under Glass.—We have received a com¬ 
munication from J. E., ofFox Meadow.upon this topic, but 
the request to publish it verbatim forbids its insertion, as 
all communications, and even editorial articles, must 
“ go through the mill.” We edit the paper The article 
contains valuable suggestions too, which we should 
be glad to give to our readers, were we at liberty to prune 
it of certain misapprehensions of the white”, which would 
be likely to discourage amateurs from venturing upon the 
cultivation of this delightful fruit. 
Nothing is more common than for a gardener trained in 
the routine of professional gardening in Europe, to sup¬ 
pose there is but one way of doing a thing right, and that 
all the minute details of his art are essential to success in 
growing any fruit. It is unquestionably better for a gen¬ 
tleman with abundant means, and a large garden and gra¬ 
pery to employ a professional gardener to attend to his 
fruit's and vegetables. We have no doubt that such a man 
would grow much handsomer grapes than an amateur in 
his first season of grape-growing. But we assure all our 
cultivators of less abundant means, and‘more leisure, 
that there is nothing terrific and impossible in the culture 
of grapes under glass, even to men without experience 
or professional training. Many things are possible to a 
Yankee accustomed to look after the causes of all phe¬ 
nomena, and to investigate for himself, that are not pos¬ 
sible to men who are trained to do everything by rule. 
As fine grapes as we have ever seen, have been grown by 
gentlemen who have gained all their knowledge from 
books, and from their own observation. The experience 
of the most successful cultivators of this fruit is already 
upon record in convenient manuals, and there is no rea¬ 
son in the world why any ingenious amateur whS is dis¬ 
posed, should not grow his own grapes. 
If a man does not know how to grow anything in the 
garden, he should not attempt grapes under glass. But if 
he has ordinary skill and what the Yankees call “gump¬ 
tion," he ffiay go ahead. His experiment may cost him 
something, but he will in the end succeed. 
Turlkisjli Flint Wiicat and HOngr Flsilip 
Corn.—P. S. F.,ofDelton,Wis., inquires for these seeds. 
They have been sent out from the Patent office, and he can 
probably procure them by personal application to his Con¬ 
gressmen, or to C. Mason, the Commissionerol Patents, at 
Washington, D. C. Most agricultural stores have the 
com. 
Sandy Soils—Inaccessible to clay, are improved by 
the application of muck, or by the turning in of green 
crops, either clover or buckwheat. Any crop that will 
give a larger burden of stalk and leaves will answer. The 
clover should be turned in when in full bloom. 
'Fools Telling - Tales.—Our friend, the Black¬ 
smith, who says the tools which some of his custome rs 
bring to his shop for repairs, “ tell tales of their ownels, ” 
hits the nail on the head exactly. That old-fashioned 
plow, with dull nose, charges the owner with dullness,— 
that thick heavy hoe cries out heaviness of mind. In some 
districts more strength of man and beast is still wasted in 
carrying heavy awkward tools, than in tilling the soil. 
The blacksmith sees this as he makes the sparks fly over 
his anvil. But his neighbors will have none of these new 
fangled tools. “It is like giving medicine to a sick boy.’ 
That is so, as Tim Bunker would say. 
"Wlieat in Indiana.—Mr. A. J. Westervelt, writ¬ 
ing from La Porte, Ind., Jan. 10, says : “The winter so far 
lias been very hard upon winter wheat, and fears are en¬ 
tertained that it has been badly injured.” 
ToucSting Millt Cellars.-A. G., of Hartford, 
is informed that milk rooms are better made above ground 
but can be made in cellars, with proper attention to ven¬ 
tilation. The windows should b? furnished with gauze 
wire to keep out all flies and dust, the glass being re¬ 
moved in summer. Too many windows make the cellar 
too warm. The room would be better with lining. 
Fences, Measuring- May, Cattle, <kc.—A 
correspondednt makes the following suggestions and in 
quiries: 
I have a substantial fence, which is built thus : The 
foundation is a wall three and a half feet wide on ihe 
ground, into which is placed posts with three rail holes ir. 
the top half of them, w hich are set on a fiat stone that lays 
on tlie ground in the middle of the wall, viz.: first set one 
post and lay the stones around it, then put in the rails and 
set the next. Round the wall up to the lower rail, (whicl 
should be 21 from the ground,) so that the fence will be 
supported on each side by the last two rows of stones 
which are some six inches through. The advantage ol 
this is to support the top part of the fence. I have a fence 
of this kind which has been built over twenty years on a 
hard soil, and it is as good as new. 
Will not cows do better if they are stabled all dav in 
cold weatherhere, (which is In lat. 44°,) or will it injure 
their health? 
Can you, or some of your correspondents, give me a 
good rule for measuring hay in the mow, to save weigh¬ 
ing? 
How many of your readers settle up once a year, and 
know what they have made or lost ? 
I am much gratified to get the paper the first day of Ihe 
month, and wish other journals were as prompt as yours. 
Cows and other cattle are much better off in a tight. 
well ventilated stable, this severe winter weather, ttian 
anywhere else; but should be allowed to sun themselves 
out-doors on pleasant days. 
Ten cubic yards to the ton is one measure for hay in 
the mows. Most farmers measure it as they cart it in the 
barn by the wagon-load, i. e.: they have one loan 
weighed, and then calculate the others by that, usual!} 
allowing from 15 to 25 per cent, for shrinkage in the mow 
Carpenter’s White Pcaclii.—Our recent com 
mendatory notice of this variety has called forth quite a 
numberof inquiries for it. We learn from the gentleman 
who is propogating it, Mr. Gustin, ot N. J., that no trees 
will be for sale before next autumn, and that they will 
be duly advertised when ready for market. 
Ice»EIoiiscs.—A stratum of cold air between the 
walls is said to be abetter non-conductor than tan orsaw- 
dust, by J. C. Jackson. This may be so. Is it as easily 
kept in place ? Tan and saw-dust will stay where you put 
them. The cold air might walk out in the dog-days at a 
very small hole, when you most wanted it at home. 
Early .Sweet Corn.—We have cultivated a name¬ 
less variety about ten days earlier than the common kind. 
We presume the seedsman at Albany can supply our 
correspondent or others. It is small, but very good. 
Stowells we have cultivated for five years, and consider 
it the best late market variety. 
Lice on Cattle—Are better forestalled by generous 
feeding, and warm stabling in winter, than routed after 
they have taken possession. But if once In the hair, we 
recommend first to stop spare diet; 2d to anoint with 
lard or other unctuous matter, 3d, to use the card fre¬ 
quently. 
Tlie Mam mo tii Mnstai U'-Sent us from Glens 
Falls, we are inclined to think fromtne looks of the seed 
is simply black mustard improved by cultivation. 
Grape Culture.—Allen and Chorlton have botl 
written excellent works on grape culture. They may be 
had at most of the Agricultural stores. See business no¬ 
tices. 
Botany.—We have received a very well-written ar 
tide on this general topic from a lady correspondent, and 
regret that it does not come withrn the scope of our jour 
nal. We have no miscellaneous department, and no 
room for abstract generalities of any kind. We greatly 
desire to get a little more into the concrete, the pith of 
matters, and would like to take all our readers with us. 
We are alive to good cooking, nice washing, and good 
house-keeping, in the farmers’ home, and to fine roses, 
pinks and asters, in his garden. Brief, pithy items, ofhalf 
a page or less, written upon one side of the sheet, care 
fully punctuated, upon these and kindred topics, telling 
)ust how the thing is done, and good recipes, are what 
we desire. A fig for the immortal Linnaeus, and a pro¬ 
found regard for the woman who will teach her sex how 
to make a farmer’s home more comfortable, more attract 
iveand happy. Our columns are open to our lady read 
ers on these topics. We shall be glad to hear from the 
writer again, on themes legitimate to our purpose. She is 
our old school-mate. 
Cure Sor Tootliaclxc.—What do you guess it is, 
reader? Cloves, prussic acid, creosote, cold iron? No 
such thing. It is simply “ to cut ymn nails on Friday 
The sympathizing correspondent who sends us this reme¬ 
dy lor the afflicted readers of our journal, manifests an 
undue apprehension of being laughed at. for the simplicity 
of his remedy. This apprehension is entirely groundless. 
All great remedies are simple, as the learned faculty of 
medicine perfectly understand. The only fault we nave 
to find witli the communication is, the fact that the phi¬ 
losophy of this safe and easy remedy is not given As 
this is wanting, we shall have to supply it. We hav° no 
