AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST, 
101 
To bring out their fine qualities, thin the massing 
plants to 6 inches, and single specimens one foot to IS 
inches apart according as they are branching or erect. 
TALLER GROWING ANNUALS. 
These are generally similar to the class first described, 
except that they require more room, and with the excep¬ 
tions noted below, do best as single specimens. 
No. 39. Marvel of l’eru, or Four O’clock (Mirabilis 
jalap i) is classed as an annual, although when taken 
up in the Fall and properly preserved, it is perennial. 
Stalks large and branching, and 2 to 3 feet high, produc¬ 
ing abundance of bell shaped flowers, white, red and 
striped; opening morning and evening, and blooming 
during the entire season. They require much room. 
46. Mixed Lupins, ( Lupinus albus, luteus, etc.) —Fine 
velvety foliage with spikes of white, blue and yellow 
flowers ; hight of different varieties 1 to 3 feet. Answers 
for grouping. 
89. Cottun Plant, ( Gossypium arboreum and lurbace.um). 
—A fine showy flower continuing a long time in bloom. 
It is chiefly grown in the southern States for its “ bolls” 
or downy seed covering from which cotton cloth is man¬ 
ufactured. Both upland and sea-island are in our distri¬ 
bution. Sow on a warm border the last of April and the 
seed may ripen before frost • 3 to 4 feet high, with abloom 
of reddish color 
27. Cockscomb ( Celosia cnstata,. —The varieties we are 
distributing, are very fine with a solid or comb shaped 
head. The scarlet and crimson colors are much prettier 
than the dull yellow. It is best cultivated singly, with a 
foot of space to each plant—hight 1 to 2 feet. Sow as 
soon as the ground is dry and warm. 
37. Zinnia {elegans).— In hight 1 to 3 feet and some¬ 
what branching, with terminal flowers of scarlet, yellow, 
orange and white. 
50. Schizanthus (pinnatus, humilis, etc.) —A rather ten¬ 
der annual 2 to 3 feet in hight, blooming from August 
to October; flowers of purple and yellow in terminal pan¬ 
icles. 
84. African Marigold ( Tagetes erecta). —From 2 to 3 feet 
in hight with yellow and orange colored flowers, very 
double Answers well for massing. 
BIENNIAL AND PERENNIAL PLANTS 
Very few' of these enter into our distributing list, most 
people preferring plants which will flower the first sea¬ 
son from seed. A few of them are so desirable that we 
have included them. Those sent out last year should 
bloom freely this season. 
Sow as directed for the annuals. 
No. 38. Sweet William (Di'anlhus barbatus) —A pretty 
common, but universally admired perennial flower, 
blooming the second and successive years from planting. 
The different colors of white, lilac, pink and red are 
pretty in separate plants, and doubly attractive when 
combined in the same cluster. It grows 10 to 15 inches in 
hight, is very fragrant and easily increased by dividing 
the roots. Fine for bedding. 
42. Fox Glove, {.Digitalis purpurea, lutea, lanata, etc) is 
a singular thimble shaped flower of purple, white, yellow 
and mottled color, on spikes 2 to 3 feet in hight. It is a 
biennial, sometimes blooming the 3d and 4th years A 
showy and very attractive flower, blooming in July and 
August. 
83. Snap-Dragon, ( Antirrhinum majus)—X perennial 
■ described on page 20, January number. 
85. Gaillardia {pictaand bicolor), a perennial, but often 
blooms in August the first season, when sown early. 
Flow ers large, crimsorn and yellow, beautifully combined. 
Rather tender, requiring a slight Winter protection. 
Hight 1 to 2 feet. 
These may all be sown at the same time and receive 
the same treatment as the former classes giving them 
more room w hen transplanted the second year. 
ANNUAL CLIMBERS. 
Our list contains a few hardy climbers well adapted for 
screens or trellises, and easily cultivated. Sow last of 
April or first of May, unless otherwise noted. 
No. 45. Sweet Pea ( Lathyrus odoratus). —A moderate 
climber of about 6 feet in hight, with white, red, scarlet, 
black and variegated flowers. A neat stake, wires or 
strings are best to train them upon. 
25. Mixed Nasturtiums, {TropcBolum majus) —A semi- 
climbing annual, well fitted for training over stone fences, 
rock work, etc. Flowers orange, crimson, and interme¬ 
diate shades. Sow May 1st to 1 Oth on light soil. The 
green capsules are highly prized by many, for pickling. 
33. Cypress Vine (Ipomea.quamoclti), one of the finest 
climbers with delicate feathery foliage and bright red, or 
scarlet and white tubular shaped flowers. Grows from 
10 to 15 or more feet high. See illustrated trellis page 
339, last volume. Succeeds best when sown late, fay 
May 10th to 15th. Soaking the seed 24 hours before plant¬ 
ing renders it much more sure. It should have a place in 
every collection. 
47 Morning Glory, (Convolvulus major )—A common 
but pretty climber, often reaching 15 to 20 feet; makes a 
fine covering for screens or twines around a pole or string, 
produces abundance of tubular flowers, white, rose, pur¬ 
ple and striped ; opens very early in the morning. Sow 
at any time after frost is out in Spring to first of June. 
81. Canary Bird Flower {Tropccolumperegrinum)?L'be-AW- 
tiful climber of rampant growth, with delicate canary 
colored flowers, with a slight resemblance to little birds, 
hence its name. Sow April 15th to middle of May, giv¬ 
ing plenty of arbor or trellis room. Flowers from July 
till killed by frost. 
82. Thunbergia {alata )—A fine climber, fully described 
and illustrated, page 339, of last volume 
EVERGREEN TREES. 
We have inlvoduced two of the finest into our distribut¬ 
ing list, both of which may be grown as single specimens, 
or in hedge-rows as a protection or screen. Minute direc¬ 
tions for planting and after treatment are given on p. 113. 
90. Norway Spruce (Abies excelsa ).—A stately and 
beautiful evergreen tree. Illustrated on page 144, last 
volume. Sow in April or early in May. 
91. Arbor Vitae {Thuja occidentalis ).—A slow growing 
and small sized evergreen tree, much admired both as a 
single tree or grown in hedges, where it is largely used. 
Sow as above. 
---=a<frB—-► «--- 
How Cane Sugar is grown and Made..I, 
[A large number of our readers have probably little idea of the 
manner of cultivating and making our common Cane Sugar. 
Some account of this will not only be interesting to all, but also 
furnish useful bints to those of our subscribers who live wii bin 
the cane growinglatitudes. Wc therefore present the following 
from one of the editors of the Aqriculturist who has been in 
Louisiana, since the commencement of the present year. This 
first, chapter was written early in February, but was crowded 
out. lastmonth —Pub. Ed.] 
We visited, yesterday, one of the largest and best man¬ 
aged sugar plantations in the vicinity of New-Orleans. 
This staple crop, is confined to a comparatively small ter¬ 
ritory. Yet in any other country than this, the soil adapt¬ 
ed to cane culture would be thought extensive, for it 
embraces the larger part of Louisiana, and the regions 
in the same latitude lying along the Gulf of Mexico, and 
the streams that empty into it. Though the season is 
not sufficiently long for the plant to attain its full matu¬ 
rity, and to yield its largest product of sugar, yet under 
the protection of our tariff, the planters of Louisiana, are 
able to compete with those of the West India islands, in 
our markets. Large fortunes have been amassed in this 
department of agriculture, and the business, under favor¬ 
able auspices, is perhaps more largely remunerative, than 
any other branch of husbandry. 
The soils best adapted to this plant are the bottom 
lands of the Mississippi, and other streams emptying into 
the Gulf of Mexico. This great river, for some forty 
miles below New Orleans, and for many miles above, is 
lined with plantations devoted mainly to sugar. No oth¬ 
er staple is cultivated, w here sugar can be made profita¬ 
bly. These plantations with their neat mansions, and 
their slave quarters, their barns and sugar houses, are 
the striking features of the river scenery, as you pass up 
from the Balize to the city. The whole bank of the river, 
for a mile or two back is cleared, and the cane fields of 
one estate join those of another, in almost unbroken suc¬ 
cession. Such a wide expanse of cultivated fields, all 
devoted to one crop, can hardly be found on any other 
part of our territory. Such a sea of tropical verdure, in 
the full luxuriance of Summer, is one of the grandest 
spectacles in this great valley. 
TIIE MANSION AND OUT-BUILDINGS. 
There is much greater sameness in the dwellings and 
surroundings of the sugar plantations, than on those of 
northern farms. This is owing mainly to the monotony 
of Ihe country and to the similarity of circumstances in 
which the planters are placed. Every one relies upon 
sugar for his money, every one uses slave labor, and either 
owns or represents a large capital invested in his busi¬ 
ness. In a description of the house and buildings of the 
plantation just visited, you have a good idea of all the 
plantations on the lower Mississippi. 
The dwelling is a large two story frame building situ¬ 
ated just inside of the levee, (embankment), that is raised 
on both banks to guard against floods in the river. A 
road passes along in front of the house, running nearly 
parallel to the river, and this is usually the only road in 
the region. The country on all sides, is seemingly a per¬ 
fect level, but really sloping back from the river two or 
three feet in a mile. In front of the house is a spacious 
yard planted with fruit and ornamental trees. As we 
alighted from the cars, a bright little yellow boy was in 
waiting to conduct us to the house, We entered through 
a gate and passed up through a broad avenue overshad 
owed with stately elms. On either side of the elms were 
orange trees in rows, some ten or twelve feet apart, and 
beyond these were the Arbor Vitae, and occasionaly the 
pettisporum, which here makes a large stocky shrub 
eight or ten feet high. Another servant, of still lighter 
color, received us at the foot of the gallery or piazza 
stairs, and conducted us to his master. There is a broad 
gallery protected by the roof, extending the whole front, 
and in some of the houses, it goes clear round. This gal 
lery answers the purpose of a reception room, and is pet 
haps as much frequented during the day as any apart¬ 
ment within doors. The white family live and sleep 
upon the upper story, taking their meals in a spacious 
dining room below. The parlors were comfortably, but 
not extravagantly furnished, not as well as we have often 
seen among the more thriving small farmers of the north. 
There was a piano, and music, and a few books and 
newspapers. The negro quarters were just south of the 
mansion, in another large yard. These were mostly ot 
brick, furnished with a projecting roof, in front and made 
double to accommodate two slave families each. They 
had no yards around them for cultivating garden vegeta 
bles, as is quite common upon the cotton plantations. In 
the rear of the quarters were the cooper’s and the black¬ 
smith’s shops, establishments found upon all the large 
plantations. There was also a large barn, where the 
mules and oxen are stabled. 
This plantation consists of twelve thousand acres, only 
about twelve hundred of which are cultivated. It cost, 
several years since, two-hundred and forty thousand dol¬ 
lars. There are one hundred and sixty slaves upon it, 
out of which there are only ninety three full hands. 
They are worked by tasks, and one that does a whole 
daily task, passes for a full hand. Of the boys and wom¬ 
en, some do three quarters of a task, some one half, and 
the youngest only one quarter. The product for this 
year will be only eight hundred hogsheads of sugar, of one 
thousand pounds each, and about five hundred barrels of 
molasses. The sugar made here is of the finest quality, 
and the best grade sells as high as a hundred dollars a 
hogshead. The only other important crop raised, is In¬ 
dian corn, of which eighteen thousand bushels were har¬ 
vested. This was grown, contrary to the usual practice, 
among the cane, and of course diminished the yield of 
sugar. The grinding was finished on the 26th of January. 
This season continues for three or four months, and is the 
most busy and joyful season, upon the plantation. Im¬ 
mediately upon the close of the sugar making, the prepar¬ 
ation for a new crop begins. The planting season ex¬ 
tends from the middle of January to early in March. 
PREPARATION OF SOIL 
All these sugar lands are what may be termed reclaim¬ 
ed swamp. The soil, however, is very different from 
swamp lands, formed under other circumstances. It is 
not made up exclusively of the decay of plants growing 
upon the spot, but very largely of the wash and flrat 
wood of the river. All the soils from the AUeghanies to 
the Rocky mountains have sent in their contributions to 
the delta of the Mississippi. The levee protects the lands 
against the river. Then drains are dug running at right 
angles to the river, and discharging into the swamp two 
or three miles distant. On some of the plantations a levee 
is also made upon the s-.vamp side, and a steam pump is 
used to discharge the water. There can be no doubt of 
the economy of steam drainage, for not only is the yield 
of cane very much larger, but it makes more sugar, and 
of better quality. By taking the water out of the land, 
the temperature is raised, and a greater length of cane 
becomes fit for grinding. The soil is what would he 
called, a rich clay loam, without any subsoil. It is all 
black loam, to the bottom of what used to be the Gulf of 
Mexico. In places, the clay is so pure that it is burned 
into bricks. The material for making tile is abundant, 
and the day can not be distant, when a soil that so much 
needs them will receive their ameliorating influences 
But though steam drainage is so profitable, even with the 
open drains, it is not uniformly employed. The planta 
tions are usually purchased upon credit, and worked with 
reference to immediate results. The profits for the year 
are expended in liquidating debts, or in purchasing more 
stock and negroes, rather than in improvements of a 
permanent character. 
THE PLOWING 
follows immediately upon the clearing of the dmins. 
This operation differs a good deal upon different planta¬ 
tions according to the intelligence of the cultivator. Here, 
the breaking up was done by a heavy team of six or eight 
mules, and a deep tiller turning a sod twelve Or fourteen 
inches thick. Others are content with six or eight inches. 
Winter plowing, that is in December and early In Janua¬ 
ry, is practiced upon some plantations, and slight as the 
frosts are here, they are found to benefit the succeeding 
crop. In breaking up and planting a new piece of swamp 
land, the cane grows so luxuriantly that it does not get 
