186 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
Notices of Publication©. 
Natural History of New-York :— Part I. Zoology, by 
James E. DeKay. 
We have before us the first of the volumes resulting 
from the scientific survey of the state which has been seve¬ 
ral years in progress; and can say that it is in all respects 
worthy of the men whose labors the series is designed to 
record, and to the state whose munificence has thus far so 
successfully carried this great work forward towards its com 
pletion. The volume before us consists of two parts; the 
first, an introduction from the pen of Gov. Seward, and the 
second the Report on the Zoology of the State, or a Histo¬ 
ry of all the known animals of the State, prepared by the 
Zoologist of the Survey, Dr. J. E. De Kay. 
The “ Introduction” occupies about 200 pages; and is a 
comprehensive and beautifully written essay,on the past and 
present condition of the state, embracing all its various and 
extensive interests, and presenting at a single view a mass 
of historical facts, interesting to all, and rarely to be met 
with in an accessible form. Among the subjects treated 
by Governor Seward, we find the constitution of the stale ; 
its colleges and academies; libraries; school system ; school 
libraries ; newspapers ; religion ; medicine ; jurisprudence; 
penitentiary discipline, (a well written note by Mr. Sulli¬ 
van ;) canals; railroads ; physical sciences; agricultural 
improvement; horticulture; civil engineering; Croton aque¬ 
duct ; architecture; coast surveys; historical and other 
writers; natural history ; geological survey, &c. &c. 
The part devoted to the labors of Dr. De Kay contains, 
1st, a well written preface showing what had been done 
by others, and the course pursued by the writer in illus¬ 
trating this important branch of natural history. 2d. A 
tabular view of the Genera of Mammalia observed in the 
State of New-York. 3d. A description, scientific and 
popular, of all the animals embraced in this series. And 
4th. A series of thrty-three finely executed plates, embra¬ 
cing figures of all the animals described as existing within 
the limits of the state. 
A critical examination of the Zoology we are compelled to 
leave to others, our limits only permitting us to say that to 
those wishing to become acquainted with the mammalia of 
New-York, their character, habits, &c. Dr. De Kay has fur¬ 
nished a most satisfactory guide. The engravings add 
greatly to its value, and the descriptions embrace in¬ 
formation of much use to the agriculturist as well as 
others. 
The Scientific Survey of New-York is one, the progress 
of which we have watched with great anxiety, as consti¬ 
tuting, so far as its natural history is concerned, an im¬ 
portant era in the history of New-York. Its execution 
thus far has been most honorable to the men who conceived 
it, those who have superintended and assisted in the execu¬ 
tion, and to the state whose liberality has furnished the 
means of its performance. The volumes which record the 
results, will long remain a proud monument of the libe¬ 
rality, science, and mechanic skill of the present times; and 
those who have had the pleasure of examining the present 
magnificent volume, will wait with no little impatience 
for the appearance of those which are to follow it. Of 
these, it is understood there will be some five or six in 
number. The present, is a large quarto, beautifully exe¬ 
cuted at the press of Thurlow Weed, printer to the State, 
well bound, and sold at four dollars. This is one of those 
works which no public library, and few private ones, can 
afford to be without. The whole will be executed at the 
expense and under the superintendence of the state. 
Journal of Arts and Science.— Professor Silliman, 
New. Haven, Ct. 
The October number of this always welcome periodical, 
is received, and a hasty examination has shown us that it 
contains.several papers of much interest. The history of 
geology, as given in the address of Prof. Silliman, will be 
read with interest by all who are wishing to become ac¬ 
quainted with this science. There are two papers on tor¬ 
nadoes, one by Mr. Redfield of N. Y. and the other by 
Prof. Loomis of Hudson, Ohio. We think they establish 
the whirling character of most if not all tornadoes most 
conclusively. There is a brief bibliographical notice of 
Prof. Liebig’s new work, by the editors, in which an opin¬ 
ion highly favorble to the work is expressed. They say, 
“ The views of Prof. Liebig, founded on the incontroverti¬ 
ble evidences of numerous analyses, cannot be gainsayed.” 
“ It is a most lucid condensation of years of laborious re¬ 
search. not of the author only, but of all his contempora¬ 
ries.” The miscellaneous notices are very valuable. That 
respecting the production of insects, by prolonged electric 
action, will arrest attention. 
North American Review. Boston. 
The October number of this periodical is before us with 
its usual compliment of good things. College Education, is a 
capital paper in the form of a review of Pres. Wayland’s 
work on our present collegiate system. It tells plain truths, 
in a manner that should make them heard. Field Sports, 
is a comparison of the game offered sportsmen in this 
country and in Great Britain; and will be acceptable to 
those fond of such pursuits. The paper which will attract 
most notice from men of science, is a review of Liebig’s 
late work on Animal Chemistry. On some points it is 
quite severe on the philosophy of the great German ; parli- 
particularly on that part relating to physiology and 
pathology. We apprehend, however, that it will be 
found easier to cavil at, than confute, Liebig’s posi¬ 
tions on these topics. As soon as we can make room, we 
shall present a notice at some length of such topics in this 
work as properly belong to our publication. There are 
other papers of interest, particularly a caustic one on the 
plunderings of some of the English reviews, in which the 
question, “ Who reads an American book ?” is answered 
in a good natured but conclusive way. 
Phenomena and order of the Solar System.— Dayton 
Newman, 199 Broadway, New-York. 
We are indebted to the publishers, Messrs. Dayton and 
Newman, for a copy of this interesting and instructive 
volume, from the pen of J. P. Nichol author of “ Views 
of the Archileciure of the Heavens.” The work is illustra¬ 
ted with numerous plates, exhibiting some of the most 
striking appearances in the planetary and solar system. 
This is one of those volumes which should find a place in 
every Family and every School District Library. The 
reading of such works gives a healthy tone to the mind, 
and enlarged conceptions of the skill of the architect of the 
universe. They teach the minds of the young to look 
through nature up to nature’s God. 
Uncas and Miantonomah.— Dayton <$• Newman. 
This is another volume from the same publishers as the 
above. The basis of it is an address delivered by Col. Stone 
of New-York, at Norwich, Conn., on the occasion of the 
erection of a monument to the memory of Uncas, that dis¬ 
tinguished chief,and friend of the first settlers of Connecti¬ 
cut, July 4,1842. Those who have read Col. Stone’s Life of 
Brant, or of Red Jacket., will need little persuasion to in¬ 
duce them to peruse this brief record of the chief who did 
so much to aid and succor the hardy pioneers who raised 
the standard of religion and civilization on the banks of 
the Connecticut. Col. Slone seems at home among the 
Indians of North America, and his record of facts, rela¬ 
ting to those times, and the principal actors in them, can¬ 
not fail of being read with interest. 
2Uisroer£3 10 Snqmrie©, &t. 
IMPROVEMENT OF THE SOIL. 
Messrs. Editors — I am about to commence farming on a 
small scale. I have purchased an acre of land a few minutes 
walk from my office, on which 1 intend to reside, and bestow 
my leisure moments in cultivation. I am anxious to make it as 
productive as possible in vegetables and fruit,—let me then tell 
you my plans. 
My grounds are a mixture of dark loam and sand, with a 
subsoil of yellow clay. I propose to dress it with 50 loads ot 
good stable manure, 50 barrels of charcoal dust, and 25 bushels 
of shell lime. Previously to spreading them, I shall plow the 
land to the depth of 10 inches, and at the same time subsoil 
plow to the depth of 18 or 20 inches; harrow thoroughly, and 
spread the manures, then cross plow and harrow again. Is 
this a judicious course, or can I add for a more permanent fer¬ 
tilizer, bone dust? If not bone dust, what, and how much, of 
any thing else ? A. P. C. 
New-York, Oct. 1S42. 
The plan proposed by our correspondent, is an excel¬ 
lent one, and if carried out, can scarcely fail of success. 
One thing only may be necessary—if the subsoil is moist, 
under draining would make it much more suitable for 
fruit trees; if not moist, subsoil plowing will be all that 
is necessary. Bone dust can scarcely be considered a 
permanent fertilizer; its effects are great, but immediate; 
and the manures he proposes will equal any thing else 
for such a use. Charcoal is useful in several ways—it 
makes the soil warmer, it renders it more porous and 
friable, and it absorbs and treasures up the ammonia of 
the manure and the air for the use of the plants. For a 
first dressing, the materials named will be abundantly 
sufficient. 
CULTIVATION OF THE OLIVE, &c. 
Messrs. Gaylord & Tucker —A writer in the Sept. No. of the 
Cultivator, from Chester co. Pa., has inquired if the Olive could 
not be propagated in the U. States, in sufficient quantities to 
furnish Olive oil for our own consumption, and be rendered a 
substitute for lard or hog oil. This question cannot be answer¬ 
ed with certainty; but there is reason to believe that the cli¬ 
mate of the U. States is too cold or changeable for the growth 
of that tree, with the exception of Georgia, Alabama, Missis¬ 
sippi, and Louisiana, and probably limited to the southern por¬ 
tion of these states. In 1S19, a grant of land in Alabama, was 
made by Congress, to some French emigrahts, on the express 
condition of introducing the Olive. The attempt I believe was 
abortive; the French soldiers, (for these emigrants were sol¬ 
diers under Napoleon,) as I have understood, abandoning the 
culture of the olive for that of cotton. There is great reason to 
believe that the olive might be cultivated in Florida to advan¬ 
tage, if that peninsula shall ever be brought into general settle¬ 
ment, and rendered safe for the pursuits of the husbandman. I 
think the culture of the olive would be a great acquisition to 
our agriculture, if the climate of any part of the states will per¬ 
mit its adoption. 
Arthur Young mentions in his woik on Agriculture, that in 
his tour in Italy, he found that the sheep in that country, yield 
milk from which cheese is made in such quantities, as to af¬ 
ford a profit of IS per cent. Has anything of that kind been at¬ 
tempted in the U. States ? and could any thing of the kind be at¬ 
tempted that would render our flocks of sheep more valuable or 
profitable ? Has any attempt been made to cure mutton as ba¬ 
con? Would it not be worth the attention of some of the Ag. 
Societies in the states, the southern ones particularly, to make 
a trial of producing cheese from the milk of sheep ? 
Cambridge, Sept. 1842. Wm. Jennison. 
According to Bishop Heber, in his Travels in the Cri¬ 
mea, in the latitudes of from 44° to 46°, there are two 
varieties of the Olive cultivated there, and have been 
from time immemorial, which resist the severe frosts of 
that country, where at times the thermometer falls nearly 
or quite to zero; and which would be fatal to the olives 
of Italy, France, or Spain. It is probable if these Cri¬ 
mean Olives were introduced into the Southern states, 
they would succeed; but present appearances indicate 
that there will be a greater certainty of success in manu¬ 
facturing olive oil from pigs than from the fruit of that 
tree, for a considerable time to come. 
BOMMER’S MANURE. 
Messrs. Editors — I perceive there is anew method of making 
vegetable manures by fermentation, invented by Mr. Bommer 
which is very highly recommended, and it appears from a no¬ 
tice in the N. G. Farmer that the price of the patent is $10, but 
there is nothing said about the expense of the process, and I 
am led to think perhaps it is like a receipt which I once bought 
for making soft soap, very highly recommended, and I got soft 
soaped in earnest; for to make six gallons, it required four lbs. 
of hard soap, and other materials from the druggists, which 
cost as much as six gallons of soap was worth after it was 
made. If Mr. Bommer’s invention is really valuable, and if 
straw can be so readily converted into manure, it would be of 
great use in this wheat growing county, and 1 would suggest 
that Mr. Bommer would find it for his interest to make the pro¬ 
prietors of the Agricultural Warehouse at Syracuse, agents for 
the sale of rights. 
I should be pleased to learn from you, what is the expense of 
the process, and how the manure is increased four-fold in 
weight in the manufacture ? Is it by water added, or by some¬ 
thing else ? A Subscriber. 
Dewitt, Onondaga co. 
“A Subscriber,” is referred to Dr. Beck’s Report on 
the manure made by Mr. Bommer, on the ground occu¬ 
pied by the State Society, at their late Fair at Albany, 
for an answer to his queries. In that instance, straw, 
corn stalks, swamp grass, weeds, &c. was converted into 
a capital manure in 15 days. The expense will of course 
depend on circumstances, but in no instance can it be 
great. The weight gained is partly from the water ad¬ 
ded, and partly from other materials, none of which are 
expensive, and some of which of little or no value be¬ 
fore, are converted into first rate manure during the pro¬ 
cess. It will be seen from Mr. B.’s notice in our last pa¬ 
per, that it is his intention to establish agents for the sale 
of his method, in the different counties. 
MANURE, AND LOCUST FENCE. 
“ W. P.” of Darke Co. Ohio, requests “ some informa¬ 
tion on the best methods of preparing and increasing the 
quantity of manure; and whether Black Locusts can be 
planted in any way to make a fence, or posts for a fence?” 
The first part of our friend’s inquiry, will be found an¬ 
swered in the reply to the inquiry of Mr. Carr, and more 
at length in the preceding numbers of the Cultivator. We 
have never known the black locust planted for fence, as 
its manner of growth would prevent that closeness neces¬ 
sary for this purpose. Its durability for posts, is only 
equaled, when the wood is mature, by the red cedar. In 
soils suitable for its growth, we see no reason why it 
might not be planted in rows ten or twelve feet apart, 
and when grown to the diameter of eight or ten inches, 
bars of durable wood sprung into holes made in the bo¬ 
dies, the living tree serving for posts, as we have often 
seen done in the case of the Lombardy poplar; the only- 
use, by the way, to which this tree is fit to be applied. 
SOUTHWEST MISSOURI. 
Our correspondent, D. W. Thompson, of Jasper, 
Pleasant Prairie, in the southwest part of the state of Mis¬ 
souri, gives a flattering, and we doubt not, a just account 
of that section of the United States. The length of his 
communication, however, obliges us to condense some 
parts of it. He says:— 
“ Permit me to say to the readers of the Cultivator, who wish 
to emigrate, (for we at the far west want not only the readers 
of youi paper, but those too, who practice according to its pre¬ 
cepts,) that I think ours possesses many advantages over any 
with which I am acquainted. Its climate is admirable, (about 
37 degrees of latitude,) temperate and healthy ; face of the coun¬ 
try generally level or rather undulating; the soil very fertile, 
producing a greater amount and variety of farm products, than 
almost any other section of our country. Moiethan 40 bushels 
of wheat per acre have been raised, and from 800 to 1000 lbs. of 
cotton are produced. There is every probability that rice might 
be grown with success. Our streams are branches of the Ar¬ 
kansas, small, swift, and clear, rising from and generally fed 
by springs, neither freezing in winter, or dry in summer, fur¬ 
nishing abundance of water power. The country is populating 
and improving rapidly, and there has probably been enough 
grown the present season to support twice the present number 
of inhabitants. Wheat is 25 cents per bushel, corn lower. For 
settlers, we wish the enterprising, industrious, temperate and 
moral class, to come to our country, as for such, it presents 
strong inducements ; and there is much land not yet taken up, 
while those who choose, can have choice improvements, in 
some cases lower than they can be made.” 
Mr. Thompson wishes a young gentleman “that can 
come well recommended for morality and science,” to 
engage with him for a few years in the introduction of 
the silk and mulberry culture, and the gardening and 
nursery business. The experiments made in silk, prove 
that the country is well adapted to that culture; and the 
other branches might doubtless be made profitable. Mr. 
T. thinks the position a good one for the manufacture and 
sale of dairy products, and is intending to enter upon that 
business as soon as suitable arrangements can be made. 
Emigrants, Mr. T. advises, to bring with them all seeds 
and scions of fruit trees to be found in eastern gardens or 
nurseries; and in particular, the seeds of the grasses that 
are hardy, and calculated for good pasture. Of these, 
however, the Red clover, Timothy, and Red top, may be 
excepted, as these are found in abundance in that region. 
Mr. Thompson asks for the best manner of sowing and 
harvesting the Yankee bean, (common field bean we pre¬ 
sume,) and whether cultivated grasses can be made to 
take in the prairie, without first breaking the sod? 
The field bean is best cultivated by planting in rows, 
on moderately fertile soil, rather sandy and light than 
otherwise, and is to be kept clean with the hoe. When 
ripe, they only require to be pulled, dried, threshed, and 
cleaned by the fanning mill, or by being winnowed. The 
