Gratuitous Agent at Washington City. 
Our thanks are due to the Hon. J. W. Allen, M. C. 
for his friendly offer, contained in the annexed letter, to 
act as gratuitous Agent for the Cultivator. Members 
of Congress and others at Washington, who wish to 
procure the Cultivator for themselves or friends, can do 
so by applying to Mr. Allen. 
“ Washington, D. C. Feb. 13, 1840. 
“ Gentlemen —I see in your list of special agents, 
the names of some gentlemen acting gratuitously. I 
have heretofore endeavored to render some service to 
the Genesee Farmer, and thereby to the country, by 
obtaining subscribers for it. I am now taking three 
copies of the Cultivator, one sent to my residence at 
Cleaveland and two to me here, which I send among my 
constituents urging them to send for the paper. 
“ If you think it will be of any benefit to any body, 
to put me on the list of gratuitous agents you may do so. 
“ The work is invaluable and if every farmer in the 
land would take it, down to the citizen who has but his 
half acre, it would be worth millions of dollars annual¬ 
ly to the country. Very respectfully, 
“Mess rs. Jesse Buel & Co. J . W. ALLEN.” 
Letter from Mississippi. 
To the writer of the following letter, and to the many 
public spirited gentlemen in various parts of our extend¬ 
ed country, who have used their influence to promote 
the circulation of the Cultivator, we tender our wai'mest 
acknowledgments, and assure them, that no efforts will 
he spared by its editors and proprietors, to make the 
paper every way worthy the high favor with which it 
has been received. 
“ Gentlemen —Coming a few days ago to the capital 
of our statfe, to attend a convention for the purpose of 
organizing a state agricultural society, I thought I 
could do no greater service to the highest earthly inter¬ 
ests of our state, than to promote the circulation of your 
invaluable periodical. I have done something, but not 
so much as I fondly hoped I should have accomplished: 
I will, however, continue my efforts, and now enclose a 
check for $75, in payment according to your terms, for 
one hundred copies. Our currency is bad, and I have 
had to receive all sorts of shin-plasters, and many have 
not paid, or I should not have availed myself of your pre¬ 
mium for subscribers. All the profit I ask, is the com¬ 
fortable assurance of doing my duty, and promoting so 
high an interest as that contemplated by your paper. 
“ Last evening according to previous adjournment, 
the convention met in the Representative Hall. “ The 
Mississippi State Agricultural Society” was organized, 
a constitution adopted, officers elected, an executive and 
general committee chosen, and all necessary arrange¬ 
ments made to give efficiency to the society—and sir, I 
hail it as the dawn of better times for Mississippi. Soon 
I hope, instead of our being a hissing and a reproach, 
our state, with her abundant resources and rich agricul¬ 
tural products, will be as an earthly paradise—for I as¬ 
sure you, our soil, climate, and the general intelligence 
of our people is not surpassed by any people in the Unit¬ 
ed States. Our difficulties are, and have been great, 
hut out of them all, I hope, our energy and industry, 
and the blessing of a kind Providence, will soon deliver 
us. JAMES ELLIOT.” 
Setting Fence Posts in Stone. 
Every farmer is aware the greatest difficulty in 
making post and board fence, is setting the posts firm 
enough to resist the action of frosts and winds, that 
have a constant tendency to lift them from the ground. 
This is more the case when there is an undue propor¬ 
tion of clay in the soil, than in loose, gravelly soils • 
and posts in the first instance, will decay sooner than 
where there is less moisture. What is called the con¬ 
glomerate rock of geologists, is a mass of clean pebbles 
cemented together by lime, alumina, and frequently a 
little oxide of iron; the first being the most important 
item in the cementing composition. We think this pro¬ 
cess of nature may be imitated to advantage in many 
farming processes, and where the materials are at 
hand, the making of artificial stone, becomes an impor¬ 
tant part of farming business. What is called pise 
wall is a composition of such a nature. Our cobble 
stone houses which are becoming so common, and pro¬ 
mise to be so durable, also belong to this species of 
construction; and it seems probable, where suitable 
sized stones abound, such walls and buildings will be¬ 
come still more common. 
In building post and board fence, the following mode 
would doubtless be an effectual way to secure the posts. 
Let the hole for the post be dug so as to leave from six 
to eight inches clear space around the post, when plac¬ 
ed in the hole. The posts should be the largest at the 
bottom, and square; and if larger than they generally 
are, it will be no disadvantage. They should be set 
at least two feet into the ground. Let materials for a 
mortar be provided, consisting of water-lime, clean sand, 
and washed pebbles about the size of a hen’s egg. It 
is absolutely essential that the sand and stones be clear 
from dirt. One peck of lime, one peck of sand, and 
one bushel of pebbles may be allowed for a post, though 
it is evident the quantity must be variable, according to 
the size of the hole or post. In any event there must 
he enough mortar to fill the opening completely, and a 
trifle over to smooth up against the post to prevent wa¬ 
ter settling around it. The mortar must not be wet 
till the hole is ready to receive it. In setting the posts, 
let a shovel full of mortar first be thrown in, and the 
foot of the post placed on this in its proper position. 
I he rest of the mortar composed of the lime, sand, 
and pebbles must now be quickly put in, and if thrown 
in with some force, so as to drive out all air, and bring 
the pebbles into contact, so much the better. The ope¬ 
ration of filling, and smoothing the surface requires to 
be done expeditiously, as the mortar sets rapidly ; and 
the posts should not be stirred for some days, as there 
would be danger of cracking the mass and thus destroy¬ 
ing its value. In time this mass would become a genu¬ 
ine conglomerate, firm and durable as the rock itself, 
rendering it scarcely possible for the posts to be dis- 
placed, and if of good materials, little liable to decay. 
Where stone suitable for walls are not to be had, 
farmers must resort to post and board fence as the 
cheapest and most durable; and any course that shall 
give greater firmness and durability to the posts, must 
be of consequence to them. The most durable woods 
only should be employed for posts, such as cedar, yel¬ 
low locust, white cedar, red beech, chestnut, kc. and 
the boards should be put on in the firmest manner; 
first by nailing the ends thoroughly, and then putting 
over the place of junction a narrow board secured by 
spikes or nails made for the purpose. For all common 
purposes, four boards are sufficient; the bottom one 
twelve inches wide, and the others eight inches each. 
I hese maybe placed three,five, and eight inches apart, 
making a fence more than four feet in height. The cost 
of such a fence must of course vary according to the 
cost and quality of materials, and the care used in mak¬ 
ing ; but will most probably in all respects be one of the 
best and cheapest that can be adopted. 
Mr. Lossing’s Berkshires. 
We have a communication from Mr. John Lossing, a 
celebrated breeder of Berkshires in this city, on the sub¬ 
ject of Berkshire pigs, which will be published in our 
next. In the meantime, Mr. L. desires us to mention, 
that he received in October last, four pigs from Read¬ 
ing, Berkshire county, England—two males, and two 
sows, from different families, for starting a fresh cross; 
and that gentlemen from abroad, who wish to procure 
pigs from him this spring, would do well to make an 
early application. 
Cisterns. 
The value of cisterns for rain water is not appreciat¬ 
ed by those who have not used them, or who having 
tried them, have been unfortunate in their construction. 
For most domestic purposes, rain water is far superior 
to any other; and where cisterns are properly construct¬ 
ed, and secured against external agents, the water fil¬ 
tered will be found the best of any for cooking or drink¬ 
ing. Cisterns as commonly made are too shallow to 
keep water at a suitable temperature for drinking, but 
this is not an essential point in other domestic uses. 
Cisterns may also be of great use for watering ani¬ 
mals where other means are not at hand, and may be 
made of great use where wells can not be obtained.— 
The average depth of water that falls in this country 
may be set down at 40 inches; of course common 
barns, or dwelling houses, provided with proper con¬ 
ductors for the water, will furnish an ample supply of 
water for a cistern of large capacity. 
Cisterns, as generally made in the country, are de¬ 
fective; and probably not one in five answers fully the 
purpose for which it was designed. The grand object 
seems to be, not to see how good they can be made, 
but how cheap. J he usual practice is, to excavate a 
hole in the ground, some six feet deep, and about as 
many m diameter. On the earth sides of this pit, rough 
as it must necessarily be, a coating of plaster made 
from water proof lime and what is called sand, but in 
reality nothing more than loam, is thinly spread, and 
the whole covered with plank. The loam has the effect 
of preventing the mortar from setting; the points of the 
earth project through the plaster covering so much as 
to allow water to penetrate through, and render the wa¬ 
ter within hard, or admit the rain water to escape, and 
the cistern is condemned. Sometimes it is built up 
with a wall of small stones, and on these mortar is 
spread; but in such cases, unless it is plastered over a 
second time, the mortar sinks from the under side of 
the stones, and the cistern of course leaks. Bricks are 
liable to the same objection; but either stones or bricks 
will make a good cistern if the proper attention is paid 
to placing them in the first place and plastering the 
surface afterwards. If made of the right materials, and 
m the right manner, a cistern will be as hard and as 
smooth as a stone jar, and as impervious to water. 
In building cisterns, as in every thing else, what is 
once well done is twice done, so far as trouble, expense 
and utility are concerned. Too much pains or care can 
not be taken in the selection of materials, as if well 
made, a cistern will last for centuries. The lime should 
be good, whether common or water proof is used, the 
sand clean, sharp and coarse, and the mortar should be 
mixed and used without delay. Stinting the quantity is 
very bad policy, as in all such cases it will be found, 
the thicker the wall the firmer it will be. 
What is termed “ concrete ,” is a mixture of lime, 
sand and pebbles, in the following proportions:—Pul¬ 
verized stone lime, not slaked, one bushel; clean sand 
one bushel; small stones, clean, none larger than a 
pigeon’s egg, four bushels. The whole well mixed to¬ 
gether dry; then wet so as to be like mortar, worked 
over a few times with a shovel, then quickly thrown 
into the place where it is wanted, not to be disturbed 
afterwards. Water proof lime ground would be the 
best, Iresh and caustic, but common lime prepared as 
above will make in this way a wall solid as stone itself. 
An making cisterns of this material, the wall is usually 
ormed as much as eight inches thick, and where it is 
large twelve inches. The pit is first excavated with 
reference to the quantity of water required, and the 
deduction to be made for the thickness of the wall. A 
covering of the proper depth, made as directed above, 
is placed over the bottom. A tub made of boards in 
such a manner as to resist some pressure, and at the 
same time admit of easy taking to pieces and reinoA r al, 
but without a bottom, is now placed in the pit, stand¬ 
ing on the concrete, and leaving a space around it of 
the thickness intended for the wall when finished. The 
materials, as above proportioned and prepared, are 
thrown into this open space, until the mass is brought 
to the surface, or as high as is desired. The whole is 
now left for some days, for the wall and bottom to set, 
when the boards are taken out, and a first rate cistern 
is the result. It may or may not be plastered on the 
inside; the cistern will look better, but the actual im- 
provement is trifling. The top must be secured by tim¬ 
ber and planks, with a covering of earth that will ex¬ 
clude frost; a pump provided; and if the conductors 
are well arranged, there will be no want of water. 
The cost of a cistern will of course depend on the 
ease with which the materials can be procured, and the 
nature of the excavation. The quantity required in 
bushels, to fill the space around the tub, may be easily 
calculated when the thickness of the Avail is determined 
on, and a full supply of materials should be at hand be¬ 
fore the mixing commences. An allowance of about 
one-fifth must be made for shrinkage in the mortar 
Avhile setting, and of course this extra quantity of ma¬ 
terials, in lime, sand and pebbles, must be provided for. 
In many places, rain water is the only Avater to be relied 
on, and cisterns in such places are made on great scales. 
Buenos Ayres is one of these. It has been remarked, 
that when people once become accustomed to rain wa- 
ter for drink or for cooking, they can Avith difficulty to¬ 
lerate any other. 
Orchard Grass. 
Of the grasses cultivated for meadows or pastures, 
on moist but not wet land, there are feAV more A'aluable 
than the orchard grass, (Dactylis glomerata.) It is a 
very durable plant, springs early, groAvs with great ra¬ 
pidity Avlien moAvn or fed off, continues green late in 
the season, makes an excellent hay, and as pasture, is 
much relished by all animals. It is particularly valu¬ 
able as a grass to S0AA r in orchards or woodlands, from 
Avhich the under brush has been cleared, as it thrives 
well in the shade, and by occupying the ground in such 
places, not only furnishes good pasture, but excludes 
Aveeds that would otherAvise take possession. A mix¬ 
ture of clover, orchard grass, and timothy seeds makes 
good moAving or pasture; the two last spreading and 
occupying the ground as the clover dies out. Where 
the orchard grass is used alone, more seed should be 
put on than is generally used, as if thin it makes large 
tufts, and will not mow or feed as evenly as Avhen groAv- 
ing closer. Where frequent rotations of grain crops 
are practiced, as in some of our wheat growing districts, 
orchard grass Avould not be equal to clover, and indeed 
nothing could be substituted for that grass, for alternat¬ 
ing with Avheat. Orchard grass seed is' quite bulky 
and light, a bushel weighing under trvcnty pounds, and 
hence those unacquainted Avith its appearance and use, 
generally but imperfectly seed their land. We have 
made considerable use of this grass in moAving and 
pasture, and think it Avell deserr^es the encomiums passed 
upon it in England, and in the best agricultural districts 
of Pennsylvania. 
Bees—Inquiry. 
“ Messes. Editors —Can you inform me of the name 
of the best Avork on bees; and of the place where it 
can be procured. I have paid some little attention to 
them, and should be glad to learn more, as their habits 
and instincts are truly wonderful; and I am com-inced 
when properly managed, they are a source of hand¬ 
some profit, and little expense. Apiarian.” 
Monroe, Michigan, 1840. 
John M. Weeks’ “Manual, or Easy Method of Ma¬ 
naging Bees,” is one of the best works on the sub¬ 
ject published in this, or any other country; and shows 
a knowledge of this valuable little creature, not equal¬ 
ed or exceeded by any writer since Huber. Mr. Weeks’ 
hive called the “ Vermont Hive,” is probably equal to 
any other hive; and we have observed Apiaries where 
this hive has been used with the most complete success. 
We are of the opinion, however, that Avhere circum¬ 
stances are favorable, rooms of the garret, or even 
buildings on the earth, Avhen properly made and secur¬ 
ed, where the bees can multiply and work without 
swarming, and where the honey is of easy access with¬ 
out injury to the bees, are to be preferred. The moth 
that is so destructive to the single hive, is not as seri¬ 
ously felt in these large masses; and the trouble bees 
occasion in swarming, almost the only one they do oc¬ 
casion, is aA r oided. Their lives too can be safe, and the 
barbarous practice of killing them to get their stores is 
prevented. 
Mr. Weeks’ book, or pamphlet, of which four edi¬ 
tions have been published, may, we presume, be found 
at most bookstores, and should be in the hands of every 
man who has the care of bees. 
