178 
LETTERS OF R. L. ALLEN.— NO. 4 . 
skill, and culture have endeavored, not without 
marked success, to remedy the deficiency. 
Having enjoyed but a limited opportunity of in¬ 
specting the farms in this extensive neighborhood, 
I feel that it would be invidious and unjust to par¬ 
ticularize, where all are, undoubtedly, excellent; 
but I cannot omit referring to the large farm and 
extensive fruit and flower nursery of Yeardly Tay¬ 
lor, and to the highly-cultivated grounds of John 
Smith, Elisha Janney, and their immediate neighbors, 
which I enjoyed an opportunity of seeing. The 
perfect neatness and order which everywhere pre¬ 
vailed—the entire absence of brush wood, weeds, 
stones, &c.—the long ranges of stone fence—the 
commodious and convenient out-buildings—the 
abundance of fruit trees of every variety, and the 
systematic allotment of the various crops of grain, 
grass, and vegetables—all bespoke the presence of 
an enlightened and efficient System of tillage and 
husbandry. 
I am told that these settlements of Friends are 
increasing in various directions in this state ; that a 
large colony has recently purchased several thou¬ 
sand acres in the neighborhood of Mount Vernon ; 
and that numerous accessions from Pennsylvania, 
New Jersey, and the northern states are soon ex¬ 
pected. A better, or more unexceptionable class of 
immigrants, could not be desired ; and I venture 
the prediction that in whatever community this ex¬ 
cellent people cast their lot, there, not only will the 
value of the soil be rapidly enhanced, but the gene¬ 
ral aspect of husbandry improved, and the happi¬ 
ness and well-being of individuals and families 
augmented and promoted. Their views of religion 
have been adopted from principle ; have been main¬ 
tained in their primitive purity and simplicity, 
through evil and through good report ] and are 
eminently productive of “ good fruits” to them¬ 
selves and to the community. Indulging no evil 
passions, conforming to no worldly views of ag¬ 
grandizement, wealth, nor power—coming in con¬ 
flict with no forms of violence, oppression nor tyr¬ 
anny, and fermenting no disturbances, they seek 
only so to improve the opportunities God has be¬ 
stowed upon them, and so to fulfil the destiny com¬ 
mitted to their charge, as to deserve well at the 
hands of their fellow men and secure the approba¬ 
tion of their Maker. 
A New-Yorker. 
To Stop the Progress of Decay in Old 
Trees. —Choose a dry day for the operation, and 
have the decayed wood cleaned completely, and 
carefully out, so as to leave none to spread infection 
again to the sound part. Have ready, in a vessel 
that can be kept hot in the garden, or orchard, a 
mixture of one part rosin, and three parts clean 
grease, which, while hot, apply with a paint brush, 
if the cavity be small, or a white-wash brush if 
it be large, and put a thick covering of it over the 
newly-exposed wood; then fill the hollow with 
earth. I have known a very old and much de¬ 
cayed tree so treated, that seemed to be completely 
renovated, and continued to flourish for many years, 
and w'ouid probably still have survived, had it not 
been blown down during a severe ice storm three 
years ago E, S, 
LETTERS OF R L. ALLEN.—No. 4. 
My limited time did not permit my saying all I 
intended in “ Letter No. 2,” in March number, on 
the subjects there touched upon, and I shall here 
briefly add what I deem essential for the present. 
Although one of the first and most important 
steps towards a general and thorough agricultural 
improvement in the southwest, yet there would be 
no little inconvenience attending the organization 
of societies for this purpose, in many sections of 
this country, from the difficulty of drawing large 
bodies together, except at considerable sacrifice of 
time and expense. But in every state there are 
one or more central points, where planters and far¬ 
mers could assemble with little inconvenience ; and 
these might become the rallying points for all those 
disposed to learn, or compare their own efforts with 
those of their associates. Let there be one leading 
society at least, in every state, and as many county, 
or local associations as may be deemed expedient, 
or could be well sustained. If the localities for the 
annual meetings, exhibitions, and the officers, were 
judiciously selected, and the proceedings directed by 
such intelligent minds as every community affords, 
there is no question of the beneficial results. But 
there is too often a radical mistake in some impor¬ 
tant feature, which often defeats exertions that 
might otherwise be eminently successful. An in¬ 
stance is afforded in the State Society of Louis¬ 
iana. 
The annual exhibition in this state, has hereto¬ 
fore been held at Baton Rouge, since the recently- 
adopted constitution made the political capital of 
the state, and certainly much nearer the geographical 
center than its commercial emporium. Yet, although 
surrounded by an intelligent agricultural popu¬ 
lation, who exhibit some of the best plantations in 
the south, the annual meetings have hitherto 
failed to command that general attendance and in¬ 
terest, which it was the object of the society to 
secure. There has consequently been no enthu¬ 
siasm awakened, and no benefits derived, which were 
to have been expected from an extensive, flourish¬ 
ing, and almost purely agricultural state. Had this 
association held its annual meetings in this city, 
though occupying one of its remotest corners, and 
almost exclusively commercial in its character, if 
would have concentrated the attention of a large 
body of the planters, whose business annually calls 
them here, and who could attend the exhibition and 
contribute to its interest by their various produc¬ 
tions, with a tithe of the inconvenience to which 
they would be subjected, even if held within 15 oi 
20 miles of their residence. 
With agriculture, there might be advantageously 
associated, in this place, her handmaids, the me¬ 
chanic arts. Here, more than in any other part ol 
the state, are they to be found in abundance and 
perfection ; and by their combination, an interest 
would be excited, and a benefit felt which could no¬ 
where else be realized. Here, might start into 
full life and vigor, a Southern American Institute , 
to become in time, not an unworthy rival of her 
elder sister of New York. Such an institution, 
properly organized, wisely and energetically con¬ 
ducted, would astonish even Louisiana herself, 
by the variety and perfection of many of i er con¬ 
tributors. It would stimulate ambition, e\ *ite in- 
