but the average, might be doubled by thorough tillage, a judicious application of manures and fertilizing agents. If fifteen bushels can be added to our crops, and I know of no reason why it cannot, I do know that the last fifteen can be produced with as little expense as the first. For our swamps are full of muck, our forests full of leaves, and many of our barn-yards, (I shame to say it,) unless we move our barns and yards, are full from year to year, and our straw, huge piles, sometimes covering acres, is left to lie and bleach and blow away by the winds of Heaven, if it does not suffer a more speedy destruction by fire.

charcoal, &c. But they seldom live more than three or
four years. Their leaves expand in the spring, and for a
few weeks the trees look well, but soon the leaves turn
red, become very thick, double up and die. Many of the
limbs, and often the whole tree dies.
I have carefully
examined the leaves, and I have pulled up many of the
trees, and examined the roots, to see if the worm had at-
tacked them, but found nothing. I therefore think it
must be the atmosphere that effects them.

The Canker Worm and Borer have not troubled me, but we have a plenty of worms that do their work quite

We have also forests that must be fell-as well. ed before we can cultivate the soil; these furnish ashes and coal to our heart's content. We have materials enough for manure; all we want is a little extra labor, and time to make a proper use of them, and our soil, as well as producing as good soldiers and as eminent statesmen, would produce as good crops as the broad domains of our transatlantic brethren.

Yours, my dear Sir, with much respect,

LEVI H. HARE. Centreville, St. Joseph Co., Mich., Oct. 7, 1844.

CULTURE OF FRUIT TREES, &c.

I know of nothing that is so poisonous to insects as diluted oil soap. A few days ago I had a bucket of diluted soft soap, into which a grasshopper flew, he swam about for a long time before he died. I had another bucket of diluted oil soap, a grasshopper hopped into it, and very soon (almost instantaneously,) expired. My gooseberry bushes have been attacked by small green worms. I sprinkled some diluted oil soap on the bushes, which immediately checked their ravages. When Canker Worms are discovered on apple trees, would it not be well, (if it has not been tried,) with a good syrenge, to sprinkle your trees with diluted oil soap?

Will whip grafting do for the grape vine? If so, at what time must it be done?

An answer to the above questions, will oblige some of
your constant readers.
Yours, respectfully,
Edgartown, Oct. 16, 1844.
ALLEN COFFIN.

LABELS FOR FRUIT TREES.

LUTHER TUCKER, Esq.-In your very interesting paper, The Cultivator, Jan. 1844, page 37, is the commencement of some very judicious remarks, by J. J. Thomas, on the culture of fruit trees. When farmers transplant fruit trees, they have a desire to seem them "bring forth much fruit." I will say to them, follow the directions of Mr. Thomas, and with a little care of the trees after they are set out, they will be sure to have an ample number of your paper, a mode for preparing labels for EDITOR OF THE CULTIVATOR-I noticed in a recent supply of fruit. I hear one say, "I have so much corn fruit trees, &c. from wood; I send you another, and think to plant and other work to do, I cannot spare time, neith- far better label. er do I think it will make a very great difference. My 3 inches long, by half an inch in width, (any tin plate Take slips of zinc, of size suitable, say grandfather and father, never took so much pains, and worker will cut them out of the size desired) drill or their trees bear well." I reply-"If you follow the di-punch a hole near the end of each slip; then write upon rections of Mr. Thomas, you will have much better fruit them the name of the fruit, &c., or its number in your than your father ever had, and double the quantity. If fruit list, with the following composition: you wish to receive the greatest possible benefit from your labor, plant less corn, and take more time to set out your trees."

In the N. E. Farmer of May 11, 1842, page 355, there is a letter I wrote, which differs a trifle from the following statement.

COMPOSITION FOR WRITING ON ZINC LABELS: Take verdigris in powder, one part.

sal ammoniac, one part.
lamp black, half a part.

water, ten parts.

Mix them in a glass or wedgewood mortar, at first adding as much water as will mix the ingredients well toced in a vessel, let it be well shaken up from time to gether, then add the remainder of the water; when platime, and in a few days it will be ready for use. Shake ly as common writing ink, and makes a permanent black well before using it. The mixture writes about as easimark upon the zinc. I have used this composition for labels on my trees for a number of years past, and I do not find that the exposure to the weather has obliterated a single mark; the names are as legible now as on the day they were written; painted cedar labels marked with a black lead pencil, put on at the same time with the zinc

Our island is surrounded by the ocean; it is 21 miles long and 5 wide. But little fruit has ever been raised on it, and that little, very inferior. It has often been said, "it is impossible to raise good fruit on this island." Eleven years ago, I hired a man to set out 17 apple trees. He dug very small holes, and set them out in a very short time. The spring following, I set out one apple tree. I dug the hole 10 feet in diameter and 3 feet deep. The subsoil (yellow earth,) was carried away, and the hole filled with sods inverted, and rich earth. That tree has borne more apples than all the others. This spring it measured 343 inches in circumference near the ground. The largest of the others, is 23 inches. Had I given ten dol-labels, have ceased to be of any use, the wood being

mostly worn out, and the writing illegible.

lars a piece to have had them set out as they should have been, instead of having them set out as they were, I beThe foregoing recipe was furnished me by a gentleman lieve it would have been money well laid out. some years since; he said he believed it had been publishOne of my trees has borne no fruit. This spring, I ex-tached to a limb of the tree by copper wire. ed in some agricultural paper. The labels are to be atamined it, and instead of having the roots to extend horizontally, or nearly so, they turned directly down. I have thought of transplanting it this fall. Will that be best? If not, what shall I do with it?

In whip grafting, I cannot see the use of tongueing. I never practice it, and seldom lose one. It appears to me

side of the label, and on the opposite side I place the My plan is to write the name of the fruit, &c. on one number which I have affixed to that variety in my fruit posite side of the label No. 100," No. 100 being Broca's book; thus on one side, "Broca's Bergamot," on the opBergamot, in my list. Yours, &c. W. N. GREEN.

Worcester, Mass., Nov. 8, 1844.

The size of the

to be labor lost. I never have more than two buds on the scion. I cover the ends with composition. If both buds sprout, I cut off the weakest. If the scion should need NATIVE GRAPE.-A correspondent of the Boston Culsupport, I tie a small stick to the stock, and let it extend tivator speaks in high terms of a seedling grape, purcha high enough to tie the scion to. In budding, I support sed of G. B. Emerson, Esq. of Boston. the scion the same way. In the spring, if the bud has ta-berry is said to be about that of an ounce bullet, or that ken, I cut off the stock as smooth as possible, the healing of the Sweetwater grape. The flavor is rich, much more process commences immediately, and the wound soon so than the Isabella. It has no pulp or foxy taste. It is closes. not likely to be injured by frost, as it puts out about ten Peach trees do not thrive with us. I have whitewash-days later than the Isabella, and ripens a month earlier. ed them and washed them with soft soap. Around their It was in eating the latter part of August. The vine trunks, I have put ashes, lime, barn manure, chip dirt, perfectly hardy.

SANFORD'S STRAW CUTTER—(Fig. 102.)

LUTHER TUCKER, Esq.-The block accompanying this, represents a machine for cutting hay, straw and stalks, patented by Mr. Sanford of Connecticut. Judging from its simplicity, and the ready sale with which the machine has met, it is admirably calculated to meet the wants of farmers. It consists, as will be seen by reference to the engraving, of two cylinders, armed with knives, revolving together in a cast iron frame, by means of cogs. This iron frame is firmly bolted to the wooden frame and feeding box by means of two screw bolts. It is propelled by a handle fastened to the driving wheel. For durability and ease of performance, it is said to equal any other machine. Mr. Sanford sells them, made of good castings and wrought knives, for $15. They can be examined at the Agricultural Ware House of Henry Warren, River-street, Troy.

THE LATE STATE FAIR.

A friend, who thinks that we did not do justice, in our account of the State Fair at Poughkeepsie, to the Horticultural Exhibition, requests the insertion of the following more detailed account of FLORAL HALL and its con

tents:

One of the principal attractions at the late State Fair at Poughkeepsie, was the Floral Hall, under the supervision of ALEX. WALSH, Esq. of Lansingburgh. The following will give some idea of the arrangement.

Festoons of evergreens were hung in various directions and in such good taste, that the roughness of the temporary building was lost sight of, and you looked, as you entered, into a bower where the fresh green relieved the brightness of the fruits and flowers, and your senses were regaled by their united fragrance. Along the walls were arranged paintings, drawings and engravings, of animals, fruit and flowers.

A SUBSCRIBER.

Bergamots, the Frederick of Wirtemburg, the St. Michael, the Bartlett, the Seckle, and many others, all bearing unquestionable marks, without tasting, that they possessed in a high degree the peculiar excellences for which each is remarkable. Throughout the whole collection nothing dazzling or glowing. That happy combination was produced-the triumph of Art-which creates at once the sensation of the beautiful, and soothes rather than excites by the exquisite taste which has placed every thing where neither thought or instinct detects the falseness of its position, and which, the longer it is beheld, the greater is the satisfaction, for strict and minute examination, discovering the shades of arrangement and coloring which give so beautiful an effect to the whole.

One of the most prominent and interesting objects in this assemblage of the products of the American soil and brain, was a Temple dedicated to Agriculture and the Arts, under Mr. WALSH's special direction, to whom the society is indebted for this unique ornament, consisting of three arches dedicated to three of the most productive classes of our wide spread population.

Its appropriate sign, over the entrance, made from the leaves of the evergreen, and sprinkled with flowers, was an index not only of the exhibition within the building, The central arch was dedicated to Agriculture, the one but of the good taste in which the arrangements were on the right to Horticulture, and the one on the left to made. Art giving her hand to Nature, and the products Manufactures. They are severally denominated coats of of both so commingled as to present a beautiful whole, arms, the new and better heraldry-better, well may we while each was represented and neither lost, though nei- say, since their end and object is the happiness of man; ther was made pre-eminent. The place did not look like while the old and blood-thirsty heraldry clearly prefig a well filled barn, or even a fruit shop, as such places ures its origin and aim by the devices it has chosen. We sometimes do on such occasions; but attention was given trust, however, that the day is not far distant when the to arrangement and effect, and to the thousands who went heraldric device of the brawny arm and hammer will be through the building, a scene was presented which de-greeted with becoming respect, while that of the bloody lighted every one, in a way that mere heaps of fruits and hand and sword will meet with merited contempt. bouquets of flowers alone could not do. And yet per- The shortness of our stay and the crowd of visiters haps a finer display of fruits, flowers and vegetables has pressing around this Lion of the Fair, prevented the posnot been witnessed in this country-not even in the Bos-sibility of our giving more than a faint impression of the ton Horticultural Exhibitions, so deservedly celebrated for their excellence. The peaches were of the largest size, most lusciously ripe and in great variety; plums and nectarines of unblemished skins; pears the most delicate and the most hardy looking, of the deepest green and the most golden hues, of every possible variety-the Beurrees, the

effects it left upon our mind. It afforded us the greatest pleasure however to observe in the central arch a beautiful engraving of the late Judge Buel, one of the early advocates of agricultural improvements, and an esteemed friend of the originator of this structure. Near this was to be seen specimens of wool raised by the late H. D.

Grove, Esq., the introducer of Electoral Saxon Sheep into ready been mentioned, stood the structure in honor of our country. Stretched across the Agricultural arch are Manufactures, entwining the products of human art with beautiful festoons of wheat, rye, broom corn, oats, &c. those of nature-a conception alike happy and ingenious. &c., partially shading beautifully executed paintings of The arch over the manufactures was neatly plated or casthe improved breeds of cattle, while the following motto ed with variegated beautiful specimens of American suspended from the festoons, showed what pleasing re-prints, silks, &c. Many of the silks were very attractive sults may be expected from attention to improving our Agriculture:

"Those nations which have been most distinguished for their love of husbandry, whether of the garden or the farm, have been the most prosperous."

-some of them spun on the common wheel and wove on the old hand loom.

While looking upon the substantial cottons and fabrics of wool, the sources of comfort to the laboring man, and the various beautiful silk articles before us, we were led to anticipate that our silk youth will ere long attain to giant manhood. In the midst of the silks was the motto: "Silk, soon to become an important branch of American industry and national wealth."

There were also specimens of rice, hemp, madder, cotton, &c.; products of the east, west, north and south. In the same arch are to be seen drawings of the plow used in Egypt, a clumsy wooden instrument, drawn by an ass and a mule, in juxtaposition with the plow of The former importers of the coarse cottons of India, our country, combining the latest improvements and the baftas, gurraws, &c., would scarcely have credited the drawn by oxen, clearly showing the truth of the motto: tale of the astonishing change in the quality and price of "The improved plow and its accompaniments-the the goods destined to take the place of the coarse article, only true sources of wealth and evidences of civilization." and that American cotton would be valued and sought for, The Cornucopia was not forgotten, being placed on the even in India and other parts of the eastern continentcolumn between the arches dedicated to Agriculture and a change now witnessed by us, and so speedily brought Horticulture; on the side next the Agricultural arch, were about by the magic power of machinery and the ingenuears of corn, highly ornamented with vegetables; and on ity and perseverance of American workmen. The time the opposite side, various fruits and flowers, near a di- was when our Dutch ancestors thought that brick must minutive but highly decorated plow, teeming with the be imported from Germany for building houses and pavrich products of the earth, as a token of the bountiful har-ing side walks, our clay being, as they thought, an infevest vouchsafed to us by the Giver of all good. It seem-rior article; but "truth is the daughter of time" that dised to say to the beholder, "Be grateful for Divine good-sipates delusions. It is found that our clay will make ness," and for all the calm delights of rural life. Near good brick, and that our workmen with them can form by was the motto:-"The Farmer who converts "the magnificent structures; and so it is found that American sword into a plowshare," believes with John Quincy Ad-cottons are quite equal, if not superior, to foreign fabrics ams, that "Universal and permanent Peace belongs to in quality, while they are furnished at so moderate prices the laws of Nature and of Nature's God."

In a conspicuous place of this same central arch was displayed to view the motto:-"We love nature, fields, flocks, the grain gathering, the hay making, the flowers, and all that blooms and grows."

that the laborer who now earns his six shillings per diem can dress with greater neatness and comfort than many who in former days were reputed wealthy.

The great variety and beauty of the American prints here exhibited could not fail to impress the beholder This was surmounted by a beautiful engraving, in its most favorably in regard to American skill, and the forfigure and scenery most appropriately accordant with the mer importers just referred to, to whom the story of our sentiments of the motto, and as it were embodying them cotton goods seemed as a dream, must, on looking at these to the sight, and also surrounded by the richest and rar-prints, be almost ready to think themselves transported to est products of our soil.

some fairy land. The beautiful array of surgical instruOn the base of this arch was a collection of books ap-ments, penknives, &c. reminded us that we have now a propriate to the farmer and gardener. Among these Sheffield of our own, and need not run across the ocean books were some recent volumes of the Cultivator and for articles of hardware. other works, the lart works of the gifted mind of Willis Gaylord, Esq., whose writings have conferred lasting benefits upon the farmer. The motto is in keeping :"The rich fruits of the husbandman's toil are to become yet richer and more abundant!

"The New York State Agricultural Society are preparing for this result by their recent efforts to introduce agricultural and horticultural works into the common schools and district libraries throughout the Union."

In the judicious arrangement of his arches Mr. W. must have had fresh in mind the well known sentiment of Jefferson, who inculcated the propriety of placing the manufacturer by the side of the agriculturist.

Leaving a description of the tout ensemble to those whose longer stay gives them ampler means of doing it justice, we conclude our hasty notice of this portion of it by giving the appropriate motto:

"Few things are more cheering to the real friends of We now pass to the Horticultural arch-a most fitting agriculture than the reports which are thronging in upon ornament to grace Flora's Hall. Tastefully stretched us from the different parts of our wide country-the suc across this portion of the temple were festoons of cess which has attended the numerous Agricultural Fairs, silk cocoons, flowers, fruits, &c. Its right column was the enthusiasm which they exhibit in the great cause of wreathed and encased with gorgeous displays of Dahlias Agriculture and domestic industry, must be considered as and the body of the arch decked with ornamental and among the most favorable indications that the cause is classic figures, vases, &c.. which could not be looked progressive, and the course of the friends of improve upon without enkindling the desire of adding to our li- ment still onward. The county societies generally, and terary attainments a knowledge of botany, a study hither-in particular the State Agricultural Society, have made to too much neglected--the whole forming an array that could not fail to strike every beholder with admiration of the useful and beautiful. In the midst of the flowers was the following charming and appropriate motto:

"Not useless are ye, flowers, tho' made for pleasure
Blooming o'er fields and wood by day and night,
From every source your presence bids me treasure
Harmless delight.'

surrounded by an engraving representing a beautiful fe-
male, herself adorned as to her head and form with clus-
ters and wreaths of native and exotic flowers.

On the left of the column was appropriately placed the

motto:

"When the inspired writer sets forth the ground upon which the title of King Solomon to pre-eminent wisdom was founded, he placed the knowledge of plants foremost

evident advances in the public favor, and consequently in
their wide spread usefulness."

But without extending further this hasty notice of the
Agricultural Temple and the delightful scenes of OUR
Agricultural festival we close, availing ourselves of cer-
tain lines of Dean Swift altered to suit our purpose:
The Poughkeepsie FAIR
Will ne'er be forgot,
By those who were there,
Or those wo were not.

LUSUS NATURE.-There was born on Wednesday last, in the cow-yard of his Grace the Duke of Cleveland, a calf with two distinct heads and necks, only two shoul ders, and two hind legs, but two distinct tails. It died immediately after being calved, and on opening it, it was and most conspicuous among natural objects." found to contain one pair of lungs, one heart, one liver, On the other side of the Agricultural arch, as has al-and the intestines of one beast only.

PLANS FOR HORSE BARNS.

comfortably. The door of a stable should always be strong, and open outside; the smallest size for a door MR. TUCKER-One of your correspondents wishes the should be 4 feet wide and 7 feet high, and with little or plan of a horse barn-stable, I suppose, with carriage ao sill to step over. If a dirt floor is preferred, it should house, &c. He calls for a cheap one. Opinions on eco- be 9 inches higher inside than the ground outside, and nomy are so various, I scarcely know how to suit him.always kept clean and level. If the second story is 3 Had he said log, frame, or brick, we might have come feet above the joists, there will be ample room for hay, nearer pleasing him. I have supposed it frame, to strike &c. under so large a roof. I prefer all doors in the end of a medium, and have supplied two plans, a square and a the stable, to avoid eave dripping in going in and out. A long building, to choose from. The square one, 24 by simple platform over the door is perhaps best to unload on, 24 feet, main building; and have added a saddle and har-and to ascend to the loft by. A window or door should be ness house; knowing it to be of great importance. It placed at the opposite end to the entrance for ventilation should be ceiled inside, and have a glass window, if it and throwing out manure, and two narrow cracks may be is only four panes, and door, which opens out of the sta-left over the manger, to be closed in winter. A row of ble, always kept shut. It may be further improved by strong wooden pins 18 inches long, in the wall behind making a closet inside to lock up fine bridles, side sad-the horses, to hang harness, &c. on; harness should not dles, &c., that are not required for every day use.

be hung to the stall posts if it can be avoided. I have known frequent instances of horses getting their hind legs entangled and remaining so all night.

The same remarks will apply to finishing inside of the long plan, except that of the window. The window are indicated by a double mark; they should never b made so large that a horse if alarmed, would attempt t jump through.

B

A

B

Horse Barn, 24 by 24 feet.

Horse Barn, 16 by 25 feet.

C. Stable, 16 by 24-B. Saddle room, 5 by 16-A. Car riage house, 9 by 16.

I wish Mr. Mott would make some alteration in his Agricultural furnaces. They take too long to boil; 1 take out the boiler and place it between two logs and boil it in one-third of the time it can be done in the furnace The stove should be as large again. Time is the most precious with us-wood no object. Greenville C. H., S. C., 1844.

HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY.

R. W.

remain seven or eight days, or till the strong smell is entirely gone, changing the salt and water every day. Then boil it tender. It may be soused like pig's feet, or it may be broiled, fried with sausages, or dipped in but

Stable, 16 by 24 feet-A. Stalls-E. Racks D. Boxes -B. Carriage house, 8 by 16-C. Saddle room, 8 by 8. The building is supposed to be 24 feet inside; the stall posts 3 by 6, if it is intended to nail the plank on; the plank at least 1 inch thick, with upright pieces across the ends, nailed with 20 penny nails; the plank 9 feet feet long, (if it is intended to tie the horses) and 6 feet 6 inches high at the horse's heads, and 5 feet 6 at the hind TRIPE. Take the tripe as soon as practicable after it posts. If it is intended to gutter the posts and drop the comes from the animal, rinse it well in cold water, and plank in, they must be 5 inches square; the last is the immediately sprinkle a thick coating of air-slacked lime best, if well done. If a common manger is wanted, it over the inside-roll it up, and let it lie till the next day. should be made out of plank 14 inches wide, and 14 thick, Then cut it in pieces eight or ten inches square, scrape and should be at least 4 inches wider at the top than bot-it and put it in soak in salt and water, where it should tom when finished. If that proves any too large when in use, I will pay for the lumber, if the gentleman will call on me. The upper edge of the manger should be 3 feet 6 inches high, that the horse may eat with ease. The rack should be placed 2 feet above the manger,ter and fried alone. and be strongly secured; the staves put in with an inch and a quarter or an inch ́and a half auger, and be 34 inches in the clear between each. There is another plan, however, which I like better-that is to make a long large box in place of a manger, say 2 feet across the top, and near 3 deep, to catch the hay or fodder that falls from the racks; a small box made for the corn inside the large one, and so arranged that hay will not fall in the grain boxes. No. 1 and 3 on the left of the stalls, and Nos. 2 and 4 on the right sides. Two short racks to be made about 7 feet long, one to be divided between stalls Nos. 1 and 2, and the other between Nos. 3 and 4, giving to each stall about 34 feet of rack. The box underneath The feet and shanks of cattle, cleansed in the same will save your hay from waste, and your corn boxes are manner as pigs feet, are excellent. When sufficiently always free from trash. I prefer a dirt floor (every one boiled, all the bones should be taken out, and the meat can suit themselves,) 9 or 10 feet between stable and loft immediately chopped fine, and seasoned with salt, pepfloors, a good joist over each stall, and the stall posts per, allspice, summer savory, and sage. When wanted morticed into the joists at top; jois's 6 feet apart from for use, they may be warmed over in a little butter, and center to center is quite sufficient; if the loft is laid with are nice, delicate eating-scarcely inferior to oysters, thick plank, say 1 inch, your stalls will be about 5 feet which they somewhat resemble. They make equally as 6 inches in the clear, a large horse can lay down in them good souse as pig's feet. The jelly which is left after

SOUSE. Take pig's feet, the head, &c., and after being well cleansed, boil them in water with a little salt, till the meat begins to drop off. Then slip out the largest bones, and put the meat in a stone jar, or well-seasoned wood firkin. Make a liquor sufficient to cover them, as follows: Take one quart of the liquor they were boiled in, two quarts of vinegar, spiced with cloves, allspice, pepper, and cinnamon. While the meat is still warm, pour the liquor, boiling hot, upon it. In a few days it is fit for use, and may be either rolled in flour and fried in lard or sausage-fat, or warmed in a little of the liquor, or eaten cold.

they are boiled, makes excellent blanc mange. All these to 15 acres per day-price $100. Either of the machines articles are frequently thrown away in families. With a is capable of cutting much more by a change of horses, little labor, they constitute the most favorite dishes-fit and driving on a trot a portion of the time. Machines for a king, or even a faimer. A HOUSE KEEPER. of medium size will be furnished at $140. The small machine is well adapted to ground cultivated in corn lands such as is usual on the eastern shore of Maryland and the counties of Va. bordering on the Chesapeake Bay.

HUSSEY'S REAPING MACHINE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE CULTIVATOR-Several notices of my Reaping Machine have already appeared in the Cultivator, and I would not now intrude on your valuable pages, did I not believe that a large number of your readers are much interested on the subject of cutting wheat by machinery.

No farther improvement is contemplated which can make the Reaper materially better than it now is. Fariners who are not acquainted with it may rest assured it is no humbug. To the references already given 1 will add the names of the Hon. Wm. H. Roane of Richmond, Va., the Hon. H. L. Ellsworth, Commissioner of Patents who witnessed its operation last summer in Indiana. Baltimore, Md., Nov. 18, 1844. OBED HUSSEY.

TREES GNAWED BY MICE.

It is now ten years since my invention of the Reaper. I have been constantly engaged since that time in its improvement. Although the grand principle has never been departed from, it has undergone several changes in its general construction, with a view to convenience and durability. It cannot appear strange if some of these I am reminded by an article which lately met my eyes changes may have been for the worse, and thereby en-in the last number of the Cultivator, that now is the seadangered its good name. With this hazzard in full view, son for guarding against the attacks of mice on young fruit

I have followed every idea which promised any improvement; the result has been the production of an implement as near perfection, I apprehend, as any thing of the kind can well be. The improved Machine has been in use three years, with increasing reputation.

The following letter is from Mr. Washington of Jefferson county, Virginia, who has cut three harvests with one of my Machines:

Bell Air, July 8, 1844.

trees. I have accordingly just had my trees embanked slightly by inverting the sod in a circle about them by the spade. If young trees stand in grass ground, as is sometimes unavoidable but not desirable, they are in the greatest danger from these attacks. But by turning up a circular portion of the ground around them, as represented in the annexed figure, (fig. 1,) and raising it at the same time a few inches towards the tree above

the common surface, the danger is greatly lessened if not wholly removed. The grass about the trunk no longer furnishes a hiding place for the mice; and the earth, by ex-being raised, prevents the snow collecting at much depth about it, being blown away by the wind. By elevating a circular bank of earth ten inches or a foot around each

Cautious farmers at the present day place little confidence in certificates. I will only add the following tract of a letter from Mr. Watkins of Va.

Chesterfield co., Va., July, 1844.

Mr. Obed Hussey-Having never seen you since recei-tree, all danger is wholly removed.

we may about as well throw away our trees, as to plant them in grass, without keeping the soil for some feet about them, well cultivated for several years.

ving the wheat cutting machine, I with the greatest plea- Another, and the chief reason for thus inverting the sure make known to you the result of its performance, in sod, is to promote the growth of the tree, as a few spacutting my wheat. It surpassed my expectation. In cut-dings during the course of the season will in many cases ting wheat or oats, no reaper can surpass it as to quanti-triple the growth of a young tree in grass ground; indeed, ty, neatness in cutting, and the laying of the grain to the greatest nicety, and to advantage for the binders. The having to pick it up as fast as it is cut, is in my opinion one great recommendation, because every operation is immediately under the manager's eye, consequently much more work will be done, and at night when the cutting is done, the picking is of course. Numbers have b. en to see its performance, and all left with delight. One old gentleman, a James river farmer, remarked, had he such a farm as mine he would not be without your reaper for five hundred dollars. JOHN WATKINS, of Ampthill.

Fig. 2.

When trees become actually girdled by mice, I save them without difficulty, if they are not peach or nectarine, by a mode sometimes described in the papers, represented by the annexed cut, (fig. 2,) and which consists merely in connecting the bark abore to the bark below the girdle, by an inserted piece. If the tree is small, portions of the wood and bark, at the upper and lower extremeties of the girdled part, are cut away with a knife, so as to leave smooth horizontal faces, as

Last summer I visited the Mississippi Valley to introduce the Reaper there in places where it had not been known. Four machines were sent on before me to places distant from each other. Every machine without exception gave the highest satisfaction. One was used in Kentucky for cutting hemp as well as wheat. Although the hemp was cut and laid completely, yet a great improvement is in contemplation for expediting the work, and saving the labor of hands. I refer for information to James Anderson & Co. of Louisville, Ky. Another machine was sent to Lafayette, Indiana. For an account of its per-shown at a. a. If the tree is large, these are best cut in formance I refer to Henry W. Ellsworth, Esq., of that with a mallet and chisel. The limb of a tree is then made place. Another machine went to Pekin, Illinois, where just long enough to fit in and connect these two cut fa its performance was equally satisfactory. I refer to John ces together, taking care that the line of separation beBennet, John Carmichael, and Matthew Brewer of Pekin. tween the bark and wood of the tree and inserted piece, Another machine was sent to Mount Morris, near Rock exactly coincide as in grafting. This inserted portion River, Illinois. For a disinterested account of its per-may be a small round piece with the bark on, or a larger formance I refer to Sam'l L. Hitt, of Mount Morris, and piece, split, leaving the bark on the outer side. The to Emmert, Halderman & Co. of Savannah, Ill. whole may then be covered with grafting wax or other My large machine requires four horses, and is warrant-suitable composition, and, if low enough, embanked with ed to cut from 15 to 20 acres per day-price 170 dollars.earth. In small trees, a piece may be thus inserted on My light two horse machine is warranted to cut from 12 each side-in large ones, several should be employe