146 
engineers were not to be found among us. The demand 
for them created a supply. We have demonstrated, that 
we have the materials for civil engineers, and that we 
can work them up. We have materials for teachers of 
agricultural science, which we can also work up. De¬ 
mand will always insure a supply. 
The Conversion of Manure into Crops. 
The great business of the farmer, who aims at profit, 
should be, to convert useless into useful matter— dead, 
putrid organic matter, into grain, grass and roots—into 
meat, milk and wool—into farm profits—into the means 
of wealth and rational happiness. To facilitate this 
desirable process, we bespeak the careful attention of 
the reader to the two articles, inserted in this and our 
last numbers, entitled “ Agricultural Chemistry,” writ¬ 
ten by Henry Madden, and copied from the Edinburgh 
Quarterly Journal of Agriculture. The part published 
in September, relates to organic matters, the true food 
of plants, and the true sources of agricultural profit and 
\ ealth. The part published to-day, relates to the me¬ 
chanical and chemical improvement of soils, by means 
of mineral productions, or other than organic matters. 
Tf ken together, they form an excellent treatise and 
guide for the profitable management of the farm. And 
we beg of the unlearned reader, who may be disposed 
to throw them aside, unread, on the plea that they 
smack too much of science, carefully to preserve them, 
until himself, or his sons, shall wish, as they assuredly 
will, to consult them. Depend upon it, they contain 
much of deep interest, to him who would profit by the 
improvements of the age, as regards the profits and 
pleasures of agricultural pursuits. 
And yet we cannot endorse all of Mr. Madden’s prin¬ 
ciples, without some explanatory remarks. He urges a 
partial fermentation of vegeto-animal manures, or in 
other words, of stable and yard dung, before it is buri¬ 
ed in the soil, on the ground, that crops stand in imme¬ 
diate need of its fertilizing powers, which can only be 
developed after fermentation has commenced; and we 
infer, that his remarks apply to small grain crops.— 
Scotland, for the benefit of whose husbandry Mr. Mad¬ 
den writes, is in a high latitude, the average heat of 
summer there being probably from five to ten degrees 
less than with us, and where the Indian corn crop, one 
of our great staples, is never attempted to be raised.—• 
The decomposition, or fermentation of manure, is there¬ 
fore more tardy there, when buried in the soil, than it 
is with us, and may not, consequently, take place in time 
to meet the wants of the early sown small grains. But 
with us the case is different. We have a hotter sum¬ 
mer, to bring on earlier and more thorough fermenta¬ 
tion in the soil. Besides, our unfermented manure is, 
or ought to be, principally applied to a crop which Scot¬ 
land cannot grow—to our Indian corn, which needs its 
greatest stimulus after the small grain has been harvest¬ 
ed. Unfermented manure applied to the corn and po¬ 
tato crops, to which it ought mainly to be applied with 
us, if spread broadcast and buried superficially in the 
soil, will decompose in time for the wants of these crops, 
if the soil is, as it should be, in a healthful condition, and 
will continue to afford them food, at a time most needed, 
when they are maturing their grain and their tubers in 
autumn, better than manure which has previously un¬ 
dergone the process of fermentation. When unfer¬ 
mented manure is deposited in the hill, a practice which 
we deprecate, these advantages may not result to the 
corn and potato crops. The manure, from lack of mois¬ 
ture, may not ferment, and of course will remain inert, 
if it is not prejudicial. We consider the corn and potato 
crops admirably calculated, in this way, to secure to us 
all the virtues of manure, without any preliminary pro¬ 
cess of fermenting it in the yard. 
Seedling Plums. 
There is no part of the Union, we believe, where so 
many fide seedling plums have been produced, as in Al¬ 
bany and its neighborhood. Plums have ever been a fa¬ 
vorite fruit here, and the climate and soil seem well 
adapted to bring them to a fine state of perfection, and 
there has for many years been amateurs who have cul¬ 
tivated the best kinds with care. Where none but good 
kinds are cultivated, seedlings coming from them can 
scarcely be otherwise than good, proceeding as they must, 
from none but good parents. Among those who have 
thus produced esteemed varieties, to begin with olden 
time, we may name Mrs. Bleecker, Peter Yates, Chan¬ 
cellor Lansing, Isaac Dennison, Col. Young of Saratoga, 
Mr. Judson of Rensselaer, and some gentlemen in Sche¬ 
nectady. Many of these fruits bear the names of those 
who firstintroduced them into notice. There are probably 
fifty fine varieties which have been thus originated, su¬ 
perior to many named in the nursery catalogues, many 
of them remaining without any distinctive name. We 
tasted of nearly twenty new kinds last year, in Mr. Den¬ 
nison’s garden, all of high flavor; and we have just re¬ 
ceived a box of sam pies of seedling fruits from Col. F oung, 
also of superior quality. We have also a seedling in 
our grounds which we esteem as highly as any we grow. 
As the season is now too late to do it, we throw out the 
suggestion, that the growers of new kinds, in this city 
and neighboring towns, meet together at a suitable time 
next year, with samples, to give them names, and to 
decide on their relative merits. 
.Frost.—-In some of the northern districts, a severe 
frost was experienced early in September. Where corn 
is yet standing, we advise that it be immediately cut up 
and put in stock. We know this mode of harvesting 
will save the grain, and increase the fodder. 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
An Official Opinion. 
A post-master may enclose money in a letter to a pub¬ 
lisher of a newspaper, to pay the subscription of a third per¬ 
son, and frank the letter, if written by hmiself.”— Amos 
Kendall. —American Farmer. 
Many post-masters have been scrupulous of enclosing 
moneys to printers of newspapers, from third persons, 
under an honest impression, that they would contravene 
the spirit of the post-office law. These doubts will now 
be dissipated by the above decision of the Post-master 
General. 
The legitimate object of the post-office department, 
is not to accumulate revenue, but to accommodate the 
public, by as cheap and expeditious transmission of 
letters, newspapers and pamphlets, as the receipts of 
the department will allow. The construction here given 
by the Post-master General, will rather increase than 
diminish the revenue, because it will multiply the news¬ 
papers transmitted by mail. A post-master who desires, 
or is willing, to promote the diffusion of useful know- 
ledge, may receive from a dozen or more of his agricul¬ 
tural neighbors, their subscription moneys for an agri¬ 
cultural journal, and transmit it free of charge to the 
publisher. The individuals will be benefitted, and the 
community will be benefitted, by the spread of useful 
knowledge, and the post-master will have the satisfac¬ 
tion of reflecting, that he has been instrumental in 
bringing about this good. Whereas, were each of his 
neighbors obliged to pay double postage on his letter 
and enclosure to the printer, often 50 cents, he might be 
deterred from becoming a subscriber, and himself and 
the public would lose the benefit of the improvements 
which the paper might induce. 
Agriculture among the Romans. 
Agriculture, among the Romans, was the great busi¬ 
ness. The first men studied its principles, directed its 
operations, and wrote treatises for the instruction of the 
unlearned. Some of the writings of Cato, Varro, Vir¬ 
gil, Columella, Pliny and Palladius have reached the 
present age. They show a familiar acquaintance with 
all the details of farming. The wealthy citizens, who 
spent their winters in the city, and their summers at 
their villas in the country, personally superintended 
every department of their business “ Though the ope¬ 
rations of agriculture,” says the author of ancient hus¬ 
bandry, “ were generally performed by servants, yet the 
great men among the Romans continued to give particu¬ 
lar attention to it, studied its improvement, and were 
very careful and exact, in the management of all their 
country affairs.” “ After the landlord,” says Cato, “ has 
come to the villa, and performed his devotions, he ought 
that very day, if possible, to go through his farm; if 
not that day, at least the next. When he has considered 
in what manner his fields should be cultivated, what work 
should be done, and what not; next day he ought to call 
the bailiff, and inquire what of the work is done, and 
what remains; whether the laboring is far enough ad¬ 
vanced for the season, and whether Ihe things that re¬ 
main might have been finished, and what is done about 
the wine, corn and all other things. When he has made 
himself acquainted with all of these, he ought to take 
an account of the workmen and working days. On ho¬ 
lidays, old ditches may have been scoured, a highway re¬ 
paired, briers cut, the garden digged, the meadows clean- 
edfrom weeds, twigs bound up, thorns pulled, far (bread- 
corn, maize,) pounded, all things made clean. When he is 
fully satisfied in all these things, and has given orders 
for the work that is to be finished, he should inspect 
the bailiff’s accounts; his accounts of money, corn, fod¬ 
der, wine and oil; what has been sold, what exacted, 
what remains, what of this has been sold, whether 
there is good security for what is owing. He should 
inspect the things that remain, buy what is wanting for 
the year, and let out what is necessary to be employed 
in this manner. He should give orders concerning the 
works he would have executed, and leave his orders in 
writing. He should inspect his flocks, make a sale, sell 
the superfluous wine, oil and corn; if they are giving a 
proper price, sell the old oxen, the refuse of the cattle 
and sheep, wool, hides, the old carts, old iron tools, &c. 
Whatever is superfluous he ought to sell. A farmer 
should be a seller, not a buyer.” 
And Columella directs the proprietor, on returning to 
his farm in the spring, “ to view his marches, inspect 
every part of his farm, and observe whether in his ab¬ 
sence any part of discipline or watchfulness has been 
dispensed with; and whether any vine, any tree, or any 
fruits are missing. Then, likewise, he ought to review 
the cattle and servants, all the instruments of husbandry 
and household furniture. If he continues to do all the c e 
things for some years, he will find a habit of discipline 
established when he is old; and at no age will he be so 
much impaired with years, as to be despised by his 
servants.” 
These directions are valuable, even in our day, to 
landed proprietors, particularly in the south, whose 
farms or plantations are managed by overseers or agents. 
There is great truth in the saying of Poor Richard, that 
a man who would thrive by the plough, must himself 
either hold or drive. 
Northeast Storms. 
Franklin, we believe, was the first to notice publicly, 
that northeast storms began at the southwest. During 
the last four days of August, the clouds portended rain 
with us, and the winds and temperature indicated a 
northeast storm upon the Atlantic coast. Yet we had 
not a drop of rain, and September brought us a clear 
sky and milder weather. It appears from the Norfolk 
?rr^j 1S ’ a nor theast storm commenced there on 
Wednesday the 28th, that the gale was severe, and 
much rain fell; and that the storm continued to rage 
with much violence during Thursday and Thursday 
night. On Friday the gale reached Boston. The wind 
blew with great violence, and the rain fell in great 
abundance. On Saturday it passed the barrier of the 
Green Mountains, in the form of a moderate rain, and 
continued in Dutchess, Orange, &c. from midday to 
midnight. The storm was probably felt earlier at the 
southwest, and later at the northeast. 
Morus Multicaulis. 
To keep our readers advised of the price current of 
this staple commodity, we state, on newspaper authori¬ 
ty, that extensive sales have been made in Virginia, at 
1| and 2 cents the bud; that in the vicinity of Hartford, 
most of the plants have been bought up at 30 and 35 
cents the plant; and that on Long-Island, prices have 
gone up to fifty cents a tree. A tree is supposed to be 
the growth of a bud planted last spring. Those who 
have to sell, we advise to take the above prices, if they 
can find buyers; but those who wish to buy will suffer 
no loss, we apprehend, in delaying to purchase at the 
above prices. Ten cents is a profitable return for each 
bud planted. 
Effect of Slaking Lime. 
“ The weight of lime is increased from thirty to fifty 
per cent by slaking; and its hulk is tripled or quadru¬ 
pled.”—See Prof. Jackson’s remarks on limestone. 
These are important facts to the lime burner and lime 
buyer. To the burner, as it shows that the expense of 
transporting his lime to market, is a quarter less, in its 
fresh burnt state, than it is when the lime is slaked.—• 
Nor should it be forgotten, that a ton of fresh burnt lime 
will require in five or six days, by exposure to the at¬ 
mosphere alone, an additional weight of four or five 
hundred pounds. To the buyer, these facts teach the 
importance of buying fresh burnt lime. If he buys by 
weight, according to the Albany standard, lime long ex¬ 
posed to atmospheric influence, or imperfectly burnt, he 
pays for a quarter more than he gets. If he buys slak¬ 
ed lime by measure, he gets in the bushel only one-half, 
or one-third, what the bushel would give him in the 
fresh burnt-stone. 
THE BUDGET. 
Locust Hedges .—“I would like to know how honey 
locust hedges answer, when they become old, or if there 
is anything better for hedges ?—Horace Wells.” We 
have never seen an old honey locust hedge; yet judging 
from the appearance of our own, eight years old, we 
should think they will answer well, provided they are 
properly grown, and are kept properly clipped. Mr. 
Wells will find our opinion as to the best material for 
hedges, and of the mode of growing them, at pages 126, 
176 and 192, of volume iv. of the Cultivator. 
Peat Earth. —C. B. Clark has addressed to us several 
queries in regard to the value of peat as a manure, 
which it is wholly out of our power to answer satisfac¬ 
torily, without knowing the qualily of the material, the 
distance to which it is to be transported, and nature of 
the soil which it is to benefit. Peat is generally vege¬ 
table matter, which, on being brought into a state of 
decomposition by contact with fermenting materials, 
affords the proper food for farm crops—enriches lands. 
It may be worth much to those who have it at hand, 
and it may not pay expense to those who have to trans¬ 
port it a distance. These are matters of calculation 
which every farmer must make for himself, and for 
which no general rules can be prescribed. If we wish 
to fatten animals for the butcher, it is prudent to know 
beforehand, what the fattening materials will cost us, 
and what they will be worth to us—whether we are 
likely to lose or gain by the process. If there is no 
prospect of gain, we will sell the lean animal to him 
who has greater facilities for fattening. As with our 
animals, so it is with our crops. Manures constitute 
their food. Like animals, they should have good atten¬ 
dance; and if by an outlay of $5 in manure, we can add 
$10 to the value of their product, we realize a nett pro¬ 
fit of $5. If we can apply this to a farm of 100 acres, 
it results, that an expenditure of $500 for manure will 
give a nett profit of $500—a result not at all uncommon, 
and very often below the actual gain. We can merely 
say to Mr. Clark, that every animal and vegetable sub¬ 
stance is convertible into the food of plants; that it costs 
no more to cultivate a rich acre, than it does a poor one, 
and that hence, as a general rule, it is best to be liberal 
in our expenditures to make our land rich, that they 
may be productive and profitable. 
Hog-Pen .—We have received from Long-Island a dia¬ 
gram of a hog-pen, which we doubt not is useful; but 
with all ingenuousness we are obliged to acknowledge, 
that we do not understand it; and believing that our 
readers will not, we must forego the expense of a cut 
till it is put into a more intelligible form. 
Plans of Houses .—We received from Mr. Jewett and 
from Mr. Smealle, each two plans of houses. They 
were all placed in the hands of the gentlemen selected 
to award the premium. But in arranging them for pub¬ 
lication, some mistakes have been made, and we don’t 
know but we have given the diagrams of what each 
considered the least perfect. But verily we are unable, 
at present, to put the matter right. 
Planting Trees .—“Being about to set out trees for 
ornament around my dwelling, I would be obliged to 
