THE CULTIVATOR 
35 
TRAVELING MEMORANDA—No. 7. 
Editors of Cultivator— On the 13th of November, 
I brought my long agricultural tour to a close, in that 
most pleasant of all other places, to the fond husband 
and father, home, It will be gratifying to you, and a 
great number of your readers, I am well assured by the 
kind treatment I met with among them, to learn that I 
reached my “ home in the west” in safety, and found my 
family in health and comfort. 
You are aware that it was my intention again to leave 
home about this time, to attend the first meeting of the 
National Agricultural Society at Washington, on the 
15th of this month. But circumstances beyond my con¬ 
trol, one of which is a severe cold, contracted during 
my tempestuous voyage round the lakes, have induced 
me reluctantly to forego this duty and pleasure—that is, 
the pleasure of the hope of doing good, which would 
have overbalanced all the fatigue of a winter journey, if 
my health had been such that I had dared risk the un¬ 
dertaking. 
My tour through the United States forms an era in my 
life that I may reflect upon during the remainder of my 
time, with more interest than I can upon any other pe¬ 
riod of my life. It has given me the strongest assurance 
that a spirit has been awakened throughout the country, 
within a few years past, that is calculated to do more 
good than all the political vagaries which have of late 
agitated the world. 
The inquiry is in every man’s mouth, “ what shall be 
done to improve the agricultural interest of the coun¬ 
try ?” The extensive and increasing circulation of agri¬ 
cultural papers, the increasing interest in attendance 
upon the fairs of agricultural societies, all speak well for 
the cause of the farming interest, the first and best inte¬ 
rest of this at present great, and to be greater, agricul¬ 
tural country. I have been made aware that great good 
could be accomplished by public spirited individuals 
traveling as I have done through the country, stirring up 
and awakening the lethargic feeling of the farmers, and 
urging them to arouse themselves to take the stand in 
the first rank Of society, that their occupation entitles 
them to hold. The prejudice against “book farming” 
is fast giving way to a growing anxiety after scientific 
knowledge, as applicable to the cultivating the soil. 
I have been astonished at the interest manifested to 
become acquainted with one who had no claims to no¬ 
tice except as an agricultural writer; and proud as I 
may justly feel of the honors heaped upon me wherever 
I went, I am only proud on account of the convincing 
proof it gives me of the noble disposition of my coun¬ 
trymen to honor those who are devoted to the object, 
and who ardently desire to see improvement in the bul¬ 
warks of society, rapidly increasing. 
Rapid increase of wealth, in speculation or stock job¬ 
bing, does not always indicate the best state of morals in 
society. But show me a community rapidly increasing 
in wealth by improvement in agricultural pursuits, and I 
will insure you that the morals of that community are in 
a healthy state. 
But I forget that my moralizing does not continue my 
journey, and that there are sundry small items in my 
note book, that may be more interesting to your readers 
than my present writing. 
My letters which you have published have been dated 
at various points on the road, but as I have progressed 
more rapidly in my traveling than in my writing, I must 
now make up lost time at home. As I passed along, I 
saw so much to interest me, that my letters unavoidably 
run into particulars, perhaps tediously lengthy. 
My last, I believe,was from Baltimore. From thence 
I took the Philadelphia rail road, which passes'over a 
great deal of poor, level country, and an uncommon 
number of long bridges. At Wilmington, I visited Dr. 
Lockwood and Dr. J. W. Thompson, two prominent 
friends of agriculture, as I find to be more often the case 
among physicians than any other profession. 
Dr. Thompson is President of the Agricultural Society, 
and to his energetic exertions, in a considerable degree, 
may be attributed the great good that has been effected 
by this society. The power of one man to accomplish 
wonders is indeed wonderful. By the judicious use of 
manure, marl, and lime, the poor worn out farms of this 
part of Delaware have been doubled in value within a 
few years past, and now show a state of fertility that 
was considered impossible for them ever again to at¬ 
tain, after having been “ skinned” for more than a hun¬ 
dred years. 
I visited one of Dr. Thompson’s farms, upon which I 
saw a peach orchard of an hundred and fifty acres. He 
also keeps one hundred cows, for the purpose of raising 
calves for the Philadelphia market. As soon as one calf 
is taken off, another, which is purchased for the pur¬ 
pose, is put on. Some of the cows had two calves, and 
some calves had two cows. This way of using milk he 
finds very profitable. 
While viewing his peach orchard, I learned a fact 
well worth the attention of all pe*.ch growers. Let the 
trees branch as much as possible from the ground, and 
never cut off a limb that is broken down by an overload 
of fruit. If it hangs on by wood enough to keep it 
alive, let it lay, and it will sprout up next year most lux¬ 
uriantly, and then produce the finest kind of peaches. 
The ground between the trees is kept well plowed. 
Around Wilmington there is a good deal of thorn 
hedge, but it does not generally look flourishing. But 
the general state of agriculture does, as I was still more 
convinced by what I subsequently witnessed at the Fair 
of the Agricultural and Horticultural Societies, which I 
attended on the 15th of September. At this fair, I saw 
Mr. Canby’s celebrated Durham cow, Blossom, that gave 
36 quarts of milk a day, and 17 lbs. of butter a week. 
Although a fine looking cow, I have seen many others 
that, for appearance only, would take the premium. 
There was also exhibited a common cow, and a very 
ordinary looking one too, that afforded 15 lbs. of butter 
a week. 
As an evidence of the flourishing condition of this 
Society, I will mention that they have a considerable 
fund on hand, out of which their annual dinner is pro¬ 
vided, free for all members and invited guests, among 
whom I had the honor to enjoy one of the most agree¬ 
able public dinners that I have ever partaken of. And 
the pleasure was not a little heightened by the presence 
of the lovely goddess of Temperance. 
I saw here the sample of sugar made from corn stalks, 
and became acquainted with the manufacturer, and heard 
him describe the process, of which much has been pub¬ 
lished of late. I am inclined to think that this is not all 
humbug. Should it be found successful on further expe¬ 
riment, the advantage to the west will prove incalcula¬ 
ble; for here the corn can be sown broad-cast, upon 
cheap land, easily cultivated without manure, and yet 
produce a great crop. 
It was painful to me that I had no spare time to spend 
with the numerous interesting acquaintances that I made 
here. 
I left this delightful town the next morning after the 
fair, in company with several gentlemen who formed a 
delegation from the Philadelphia Society, to interchange 
civilities with their Delaware friends. This is exactly 
as it should be: it keeps up friendly social intercourse, 
and tends to increase knowledge and happiness. The 
visits, too, of distinguished strangers, at such a time, 
serves as a most valuable stimulant to incite praiseworthy 
exertions. This is a matter well worthy the attention of 
all agricultural societies. Send delegations to visit one 
another. 
While in Philadelphia, I met with our mutual friend, 
C. N. Bement, and with him visited several places of 
interest, including the Wilmington Fair. We also vis¬ 
ited Westchester, and enjoyed the hospitality of Dr. 
Darlington, known as one of the most scientific writers 
on agriculture. We also visited Paschal Morris’ and 
Joseph Cope’s farms, as well as many other of the highly 
cultivated farms of the Brandywine hills. 
Mr. Cope is known as an importer of Durham stock 
and South Down sheep, a beautiful lot of which he had 
on hand. I look upon this as the best breed of sheep 
for general use in the country. Those desirous of pur¬ 
chasing, may depend upon the genuine article from Mr. 
Cope. 
Mr. Morris is a large breeder of Durhams. We saw 
here a horse power churn, which makes 100 lbs. of but¬ 
ter at one operation. The apparatus is simple and cheap. 
Any person desirous of obtaining information about it, 
will find by making application to Mr. M., that he is 
a “ gentleman farmer”—which means a man of intelli¬ 
gence, and who is always ready to devote his time and 
abilities to the promotion of improvement among his 
brethren. 
I wish he would also publish a description, and his 
opinion, of a wheat sowing machine that we saw at his 
farm. 
At one of the farms which we visited, I was struck 
with the appearance of a fine lot of fat oxen, fed en¬ 
tirely upon grass, which is one of the most luxuriant and 
profitable crops that grow upon these hills. These oxen 
are driven, while lean, from the north part of Ohio, and 
no doubt many of them had while young been driven 
from the interior of Indiana or Illinois to Ohio, there 
used for work while in their prime, and then driven to 
Pennsylvania to eat up the surplus grass, and in turn to 
be eaten up by the surplus population of Philadelphia. 
At the same farm, I saw a very simple and cheap ap¬ 
paratus that forces water forty or fifty rods, up a steep 
hill, to the house and barn. A lever, about twenty feet 
long, with a weight at one end and a water box at the 
other, is hung in the stream, and covered over with a 
roof, around which, in winter time, straw is placed to 
prevent freezing. While the end of the lever upon 
which is the box, is up, a stream of water runs in, and 
the weight of that overbalances the weighted end of the 
lever, and down goes the box, striking a pin in its de¬ 
scent that opens a valve and lets out the water, when 
up it comes for a new supply, each movement of the 
lever making a stroke of a force pump that sends the 
water in one perpetual, never tiring stream up the hill. 
Instead of feeling as though we were troublesome 
visitors, seeking our own gratification, we were every¬ 
where made to feel more like one affectionate brother 
visiting^ another. We were assured that our hosts ra¬ 
ther considered it an honor than a burthen to entertain 
us. Oh! how I wish agricultural brethren would extend 
the custom of visiting one another. Much good and 
much pleasure would come of it. 
After our return to Philadelphia, we went, in com¬ 
pany with the excellent editor of the Farmers’ Cabinet, 
a short trip into New Jersey, and at the farm of Mr. 
Edward Tonkin, about fourteen miles from Camden, 
saw some of the finest specimens of fat Durham oxen, 
I venture to say, in the United States. Mr. T. is a large 
breeder of Durhams, and has done what but few breed¬ 
ers would do, that is, to alter some of his best bull calves 
for the purpose of showing what can be done with this 
breed of cattle for beef. 'He also has one spayed 
heifer. These beeves are now about five years old, and 
it was the opinion of several gentlemen present that 
the largest ox would weigh 3,000 pounds. They are 
to be fed another year. Taken together, they are one of 
the most beautiful shows of fat cattle I ever saw. 
On our return,we visited the old “ Haddonfield house,” 
built of bricks and timber imported from England. We 
now look upon the importation of bricks as ridiculous. 
When shall we get our eyes open wide enough, do see 
that many of our present importations are more ridicu¬ 
lous, and more detrimental to the best interests of the 
country ? 
This house, still in a good state of preservation, is own¬ 
ed by a gentleman by the name of Wood, who owns 
“ those chickens” that can eat corn off of a flour barrel 
standing on end. They are tall subjects. 
I was surprised to learn that in this state, so celebrated 
for peaches, the trees have entirely failed. New Jersey 
peaches are now no more. 
And now, my dear readers, if you are as tired of read¬ 
ing as I am of writing, you will be glad that I come 
here to an abrupt close—promising, however, that you 
shall again hear from your old friend, 
Solon Robinson,. 
Lake C. H., Ia., Dec. 1841. 
ON THE CULTURE OF POTATOES. 
Messrs. Gaylord & Tucker —I have long been 
satisfied that in planting potatoes, farmers have been in 
the habit of using too much seed, and have for several 
years planted all mine with from three to six eyes in a 
hill. I one year planted three acres with twenty-five 
bushels; two feet and nine inches apart each way, com¬ 
mencing with one bushel of whole potatoes; after 
which I planted about one-third of the piece with three 
eyes in a hill, and the remainder four; and have for my 
own satisfaction, at other times, planted whole large po¬ 
tatoes adjoining those planted with three or four eyes, 
but was not so particular as to count and weigh the dif¬ 
ferent products, till the last season—satisfying myself 
with measuring in a basket, rows of equal length, it not 
occurring to me that there was any difference in the 
number of potatoes. The last season, I determined to 
be more particular, and now send you the result for pub¬ 
lication. I am aware that a difference in the soil, sea¬ 
son, or in the varieties planted, or some other cause, 
may vary the result; yet I am satisfied that with pink¬ 
eyes, four eyes are sufficient for a hill, and as that is the 
only variety I cultivate, I know not but it may be different 
with others. Owing to the severe drouth of last season, 
my crop was light, yet I think that would not materially 
affect the experiment. I planted different quantities of 
seed, which I shall distinguish by numbering the rows. 
They were planted across the rows of manure, so as to 
make them equal, and when I harvested them, I selected 
twenty hills from each number, their chances equal in 
all respects, as far as I could determine, and counted and 
weighed the product. 
No. 1—All large potatoes, had in number • •• 368, wt. 40 1-4 lbs. 
No. 2—6 eyes in hill,cut from large potatoes, 292 “ 39 1-4 “ 
No. 3—4 “ “ “ 220 “ 44 3-4 “ 
No. 4—2 “ “ “ 230 “ 45 “ 
No. 5—All small whole potatoes,. 260 “ 45 1-4 “ 
No. 6—6 eyes, cut from small potatoes,. 262 “ 411-4 “ 
No. 7—4 u . 270 “ 49 1-4 “ 
I consider the difference in the product of the last 
three numbers of little consequence, as it might have 
been accidental, the small potatoes having but about six 
eyes each; though if it proves any thing, it is, that four 
eyes are better than six, and that small ones are better 
than large; but with the large ones the result is very dif¬ 
ferent in the number of potatoes produced, No. 1 having 
148 more than No. 3, and weighing 4 1-2 pounds less. 
That, I think, accounts for the objection so many make 
to raising pinkeyes, on account of their producing so 
many small ones, the whole pofatoe making altogether 
too much seed, for they have more eyes than any of the 
common varieties, large ones having from fifteen to 
twenty each. In some of the hills I planted with large 
ones last season, I counted thirteen stalks. 
No. 4 is the first experiment I ever made with two 
eyes in a hill, never supposing them sufficient; still the 
product is better than the average, and it is not impro¬ 
bable that further experiments may prove that quantity 
of seed the most economical. I trust this subject will 
attract the attention of some of your readers, and that 
they will try the experiment for their own satisfaction, 
and publish the result for the benefit of others, so that if 
my conclusion prove correct, others may be induced to 
depart from the practice of their fathers, so far as to 
profit by it. Yours, respectfully, 
Daniel J. Curtis. 
Canaan Centre, N. Y., Dec. 8, 1841. 
LARGE EARS AND CROP OF CORN. 
Messrs. Editors —I have two ears of corn in my 
possession which it would do you good to see. They 
were raised upon the farm of Mr. George Shuman of this 
county. They are of the gourd seed species, one yellow 
and the other white. The white ear measures fourteen 
inches in length and ten and a half in the middle in cir¬ 
cumference; is eighteen rowed, and contains, on actual 
count, 1,185 sound grains. The yellow ear, fourteen 
and a half inches in length, fourteen rowed, eight and 
three-fourth inches in circumference, and has, on count, 
988 grains. The soil is a sandy loam, and Mr. Shuman 
thinks will yield him 100 bushels shelled corn per acre. 
John Huggins 
Liverpool, Perry Co., Pa., Jan. 1, 1842. 
