1850. 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
83 
done, it is capable of resisting a heavy pressure of 
water. 
Availing ourselves of this water-tight property 
of clay, we use it in the construction of our cellars, 
in a simple, but effectual manner. We stake oft' and 
dig the cellar, so large as to leave a space of from 
eight to twelve inches, between all the walls of the 
intended building and the banks. This space to be 
continued from the surface to the foundation; and a 
sufficient quantity of clay must be provided to fill this 
Space. The work of filling it in, and ramming it 
Solid, should commence soon after the foundation of 
the building is laid, and be continued as the masons 
progress with the wall, until the surface of the 
ground is reached. Small stones and chips must be 
carefully left out, and only a few inches of clay 
thrown in and rammed at a time. 
Tne writer of this has tried the method here given 
with a good result, and does not know an instance 
in which it has failed to make a dry cellar. This 
invariable success has suggested the plan to stop 
the leakage of water into a cellar of faulty con¬ 
struction, by digging out next the walls of the build¬ 
ing, the width of a shovel or more, and as deep as 
their foundation. This excavation to be filled tight 
with clay, and a dry cellar has been the result. 
There may be wet cellars caused by a different 
state of things than are here referred to ; for instance 
an upward infiltration of water through the bottom 
of the cellar — or one or more springs may rise 
therein. Such defects might probably be remedied 
by the same means that are recommended in a for¬ 
mer volume of The Cultivator , to sink a spring or 
pond of water in a field. Not having much experi¬ 
ence or opportunity of observing the effeet of these 
measures, I leave the subject to the consideration 
of others. A. B. Setzler’s Store, Chester Co ., Pa. 
Bartlett’s Double Plow. 
The peculiarity of this plow consists in combining 
two plows in such a manner that two furrows can be 
turned at once, with one team and one plowman. 
We are aware that the combination of plows is not 
new; but the mode of connecting them in this case, 
is different from any with which we have been before 
acquainted. In distinction from others, the frame 
which connects these plows is so made that each 
plow has in some degree an independent action, by 
which the two, when working together, are adapt¬ 
ed to the ordinary inequalities of surface, and insure 
the proper execution of the work. The principle 
of combination will apply to plows of any size or 
shape. 
We have had two opportunities of witnessing the 
operation of this plow, on the farm of W. O. Bart¬ 
lett, Esq., of Worcester, one of the patentees. 
We have seen it used under different circumstances, 
as follows: 
1. On plain land where the soil was loose and 
light. A good yoke of oxen readily drew the plow 
at their accustomed gait, making two furrows, each 
seven inches deep and ten inches wide, one man 
holding the plow and driving the team. The plow 
ran for many rods after it was set in, without being 
touched by the plowman. 
2. On a stubble-field, where the soil contained 
many small cobble stones, and where the plow was 
often turned out by large boulders and fast rocks. 
The same man and the same oxen managed the plow 
as in the above case, and the depth and width of the 
furrows were also the same. The work was as well 
performed as it could have been in any way No 
difficulty was experienced in getting the plow over 
the stones, or in running the furrows close to them; 
the cobble stones did not throw the plow out; on the 
contrary it held its depth as well, if not better, than a 
single plow could have done—the two plows seemed 
to steady each other, which tended to preserve a 
uniform depth. 
3. On somewhat rough land, with a very tough 
sward. In this case two large plows were used, 
each cutting a furrow eight inches deep and twelve 
inches or more wide. Four good oxen were attached 
to the plow, one man drove the team and another 
held the plow. The work was well done and with 
great dispatch, s 
This plow has been considerably tried in Massa¬ 
chusetts by many of the best practical farmers, who 
have certified that it makes a great saving in the 
expense of plowing. We entirely coincide in these 
statements, and have no hesitation in saying that the 
introduction of this implement will be attended W'ith 
signal advantage. On tenacious soils, it may induce 
a better system of tillage. To insure the best crops 
on such soils, particularly of wheat, it is important 
that’they should be plowed fine, and thoroughly 
pulverised. This is generally admitted, but the ob¬ 
jection raised is, that such nicety of work takes too 
much time; and hence, in order to go over the re¬ 
quisite extent of surface, the furrows are made wide, 
leaving the soil in compact masses. By the use of 
the double plow, the furrows may be cut deep and 
narrow, while at the same time the work is more ex¬ 
peditiously performed, and at less expense. 
In wheat-growing districts, we think this will be 
found of much importance, especially in plowing 
fallows, and not less in clover ley, where only one 
plowing is given before seeding. On all plain lands, 
and on the western prairies, the saving which will 
result from this combination of plows, will perhaps, 
be still more striking than in other situations. 
We append the following from a letter lately writ¬ 
ten to Mr. Bartlett, by Hon. D. Webster: 
In June, 1849, an experiment was tried on my 
farm in Marshfield with one of your double plows, 
on a piece of land intended for turneps, somewhat 
rocky, with a hard sward, not having been plowed 
for many years, and many bunches of bushes grow¬ 
ing upon it. The plow appeared to work well, and 
Mr. Wright, who has been our principal farmer for 
many years, was greatly pleased with it. The fur¬ 
rows were as well laid, as I thought, as they could 
have been by any single plow. 
Mr. Taylor, who lives on my farm in New Hamp¬ 
shire, wishes me to send him a double plow. His 
land is level, rather a rich loam, and entirely free 
from stones. He thinks that with a double plow, 
and a pair of horses, with a light hand to hold, he 
could quite easily plow three acres a day, for many 
days in succession. 
It struck me, when seeing the plow in operation, 
that one part steadied the other, and made the work 
smooth and even. The saving of labor in the use 
of the double plow, is too apparent to need remark* 
Profits of Fowls. 
Mr. Edwin Howard, of Easton, Mass., gives an 
account of the profits of his fowls from the first of 
December, 1848, to the same period of 1849. He 
began with nineteen hens and a cock, and in the 
spring he added one more hen. The whole stock 
was valued at twenty dollars. The number of eggs 
produced in the year, was 1,851; the number of 
chickens raised by himself was 82. The eggs sold, 
brought $27.97, and the fowls sold, $46,48. Thir¬ 
ty-two fowls on hand, are reckoned worth $30. Hi& 
