Notes for the Month. COMMUNICATIONS have come to hand, during the past month as follows: J. A. Cheney, A Subscriber, J. W. G., An Experienced Farmer, D. T., James Tufts, W. L. Chambers, H. Wetherwax, G. A. Hanchett, An Old Farmer, A Sub. scriber, L. Durand. BOOKS, PAMPHLETS, &c., have been received as follows: The Philosophy of Electrical Psychology, by JOHN B. DODS-from Fourth Report of the Board of Agriculture of Ohio, from J. L. Cox, Esq., Zanesville. A. B. We shall be glad to have you continue the subject, as you propose. THE AMERICAN FRUIT CULTURIST.-This work has been mailed to every agent entitled to it by our terms. The postmaster at Philadelphia stopped those which should have passed through his office, on the ground that books had no right to go by mail. He, however, informs us that he has, at our request, forwarded the copies which were detained at his office. But if any person entitled to the work, has failed to receive it, we will forward a second copy on being apprised of the failure. CORRECTION.-In our last, the price of Professor NORTON'S "Elements of Scientific Agriculture,' was stated at 75 cents. It should have been 50 cents. THE PLOW, LOOM, AND ANVIL.-The third volume of this periodical commences with August. The well-known industry and energy of its editor, J. S. SKINNER, Esq., continue unrelaxed, and its pages are well filled with useful matter. It is pub. lished monthly, at $2 a year, in advance. J. S. SKINNER, Philadelphia, Editor and Publisher. See advertisement. in shape to the Berkshires, but their color is red or sandy, and they have very fine hair. When pureblooded, the tails of the pigs come off, when about three or four weeks old. They were introduced here by the late judge Hammond, father of S. H. Hammond, Esq., district attorney for Albany county." AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL IN MASSACHUSETTS.— The following gentlemen have been appointed by the Governor of Massachusetts commissioners on the subject of an agricultural school, viz: Hon. M. P. WILDER, Dorchester; Rev. Dr. EDWARD HITCHCOCK, President of Amherst College; SAMUEL A. ELIOT, of Boston; ELI WARREN, of Upton; and THOMAS E. PAYSON, of Rowley. TRANSPLANTING LOCUST TREES. - A correspondent informs us that the sprouts of locust trees, the woods, will grow well, and become valuable for if taken up in the spring, and set in open places in timber. We have heard it said that locust trees planted in this way are not likely to be attacked by the borer. The figure of "Third Duke of Cambridge," given in our present number, was engraved for the forthcoming volume of the Transactions of the New York Agricultural Society. We are authorized to say that this volume, the publication of which has been unavoidably delayed, will shortly make its appearance. ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.-The Council of this Society have made arrangements to hold their annual show of cattle for 1851, in Hyde Park, in connection with the Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations. The usual show of implements by the Society will be omitted on that occa sion, as the Exhibition will comprise a similar depresent year will be held at Exeter in July, compartment. The show of the Royal Society for the time comprises 5,261 members: namely, 90 life mencing on the 15th. This Society at the present governors, 169 annual governors, 267 life members, 4,356 annual members, and 19 honorary members. CORRECTION.-In the communication of "A. S. that chloride of lime was used for seed corn, in the F." in our May number (pp. 181, 182,) it was stated proportion of half of the former to a bushel of the latter. It should have been half a pound to a bushel of seed; and the distance between the corn rows should have been three instead of three and a half feet. THE DIFFERENCE.-Mr. J. S. CRAIG, of Madison, Ind., speaking of the failure of the wheat crop in his neighborhood, last year, says "One man told me he had sown six bushels. and did not gather the amount of the seed. I replied, 'I have done better than that, my crop having averaged 15 bushels per acre; to which he said-'O, a poor man, with a large family, can't afford to put his land in such nice TAX ON DOGS.-It is well known that the keeporder as you had yours;' 'but,' said I, the chiefing of sheep in Ohio has been attended with heavy difference between us is, I feed my corn fodder in losses in many instances, on account of their desAfter several ineffectual atthe stables and yards, you feed your's in the roads truction by dogs. and lanes.' Would you believe it! I have three tempts to procure the passage of a law by the adjoining neighbors, who feed their cattle in the legislature, authorizing a tax on dogs, an act was road and lanes, if it happens to be in the most conpassed at the last session, authorizing seventeen venient place, and don't seem to care about the loss counties to collect the sum of fifty cents a year Yet their rotation is corn, oats, wheat, from every person who owns or keeps one dog, and without allowing the land any rest in clover or one dollar for each additional dog kept by the same grass, and giving it but very little manure, till it person. One-half of the money raised by this tax has almost refused to produce wheat. is to go to the common school fund, and the remainder is to be set apart to compensate persons sustaining losses by having sheep killed by dogs. of manure. I find, now, the opinion is almost universal, that it is useless to sow wheat, without manuring the land in some way." BREED OF SWINE.-Mr. O. F. MARSHALL, of Wheeler, Steuben co., N. Y., writes: "We have a peculiar kind of hogs in this section, which have been bred here over 50 years. They became nearly extinct about the time the Berkshires were so popular; but we have, with a good deal of exertion, restored them about as pure as formerly. They are similar THIBET SHEEP. PRINCE ALBERT has sent a communication to the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society, giving the results of an attempt to naturalize a hardy and prolific race of sheep from Thibet, at her Majesty's farm at Osborne. "LIONIZING."-THOS. D. BURRALL, Esq., in his address before the Ontario county Agricultural Society, observes-" The whole system of lionizing, and running after sights is a national vice which has too often made us ridiculous, and which should especially be avoided at our Fairs, lest they even tually become so mixed up with new additions as to have nothing left to the farmer but the name. They should look to this in time, and never forget to respect themselves and protect their interests. Ever bearing in mind that as a class they form an important part of the great conservative power of the State, and that they are bound to make that power felt and respected." NEW WORK.-Messrs. DERBY & MILLER, book. sellers, Auburn, will issue soon a new work on rural affairs, entitled "The Farmer's Every Day Book; or, Sketches of Social Life in the Country, with the Popular Elements of Practical and Theoretic Agriculture, and 1,200 Laconics and Apothegms relating to Ethics, Religion, and General Lite. rature; also 500 receipts on Hygeian, Domestic and Rural Economy. "Would you be strong? Go follow up the plough; Would you be thoughtful? Study fields and flowers; Would you be wise? Take on yourself a vow, To go to school in Nature's sunny bowers. Fly from the city, nothing there can charmSeek wisdom, strength and virtue on a farm." We intended to have given a chapter from it this month, on "The Commercial Importance of Agriculture," but are under the necessity of deferring it. From the high character of the author, as well as from the few pages we have seen of the work, we have no doubt it will have an extensive sale. THE ONEIDA COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY will hold its next fair at Rome, on the 17th, 18th. and 19th days of September. This, we believe, is the first instance of one of our county fairs continuing three days, and we are glad to see that the farmers of this rich and fertile county take suffici. ent interest in the subject to warrant a three-day fair. BENJ. N. HUNTINGTON, Rome, President. L. T. MARSHALL, Vernon Center, Secretary. LONG ISLAND LANDS.-The attention of farmers intending to change their location, is particularly invited to the advertisement of Dr. PECK, setting forth the inducements offered by the lands on Long Island. PRICE OF MUSTARD SEED.-The editor of the Ohio Cultivator states that 64 cents per pound is the price at which manufacturers in Ohio are willing to contract for good seed, next fall. A letter is published from Messrs. FELL, of Philadelphia, stating that owing to the fluctuations in the market, and generally low prices, they do not recommend the cultivation of mustard on a large scale, to the western farmers, especially, "as long as the foreign seed is admitted at the present rate of duty." HEAVY PIGS. BENJ. LYMAN, of Columbia, Ct., gives the Mass. Plowman an account of the weight of several pigs killed in that town since the first of December last, as follows: Hubbard Barstow killed a pig 8 months old, weight 360 lbs. Jonathan Clark John Davenport 469 390 387 66 two persons, with the brush. Dr. Bowditch tried the effect of various substances, in destroying the animalcules, and especially tobacco, by which they seemed to be in no way incommoded. Soapsuds and chlorine toothwash invariably destroyed them. INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION OF 1851.-Preparations are already in progress for the transmission of the productions of American genius and ingenuity to the approaching great Industrial Exhibition which takes place in 1851 in London. A meeting of the Central Committee for the United States convened at the National Institute, in the Patent Office, Washington, on Thursday, the 13th ult., Hon. Millard Fillmore presiding, and Prof. W. R. Johnson acting as secretary. Among the various communications read at the meeting, was one from the secretary of a former meeting, held on the 27th of last month, containing the names of those appointed on the Central Committee, among which are the following: Hon. Millard Fillmore, Hon. Levi Woodbury, Professors Joseph Henry and Alex. D. Bache, Com. C. Wilkes, Lieut. M. F. Maury, Col. J. J. Abert, and Thos. Ewbank, and others. 21 in number.-N. Y. Evening Post. RED CEDAR POSTS.-All kinds of Cedar are known to be very durable, but the heart of red cedar is perhaps, preferable on this account, to any other kind, and those parts of the tree which are most knotty, will probably last longest. E. BOURNE, in the Mass. Plowman, states that on examining some red cedar posts set by his father 48 years since, he found those which were taken from the butt-end of the tree, a little decayed on the outside; but those from the second and third cuts of the tree, were perfectly sound. PROFITS OF FOWLS.-BRADFORD PACKARD, of West Bridgewater, Mass., states in the Plowman that he kept an accurate account with twenty fowls, (eighteen hens and two cocks,) for one year, from January 1st, 1849. He obtained 2434 eggs, the average price of which was fourteen cents per dozlued at 25 cents each, giving an aggregate of $31. en, making $28.90; he raised twelve chickens, va89. 15 bushels of corn, which cost $10.89, leaving a net The food the fowls ate during this time was profit of $21.01. TO DECOY RATS.-Mix a shilling's worth of Spanish flies in a pint of the best French brandy, cork it well, and after shaking, let it stand six weeks, and it will be fit for use. A few drops of this liquid is said to entice the rats from their holes into any kind of trap. Wool Market-June 19, 1850. The shearing has actively progressed for the two past weeks, and is now nearly completed, excepting in the northern portion of this and some of the Eastern States. The appearance of a much dreadbusiness of the country, and greatly aided in depressing the prices of ed epidemic in the spring of 1849, caused a general paralysis in the wool, more particularly in the Western States. The absence of cholera, general prosperity of most business pursuits, and alundance of money facilities in the large northern and eastern cities, have produced a very different feeling in regard to the clip of 1850, and especially in the Western States, as contrasted with 1849, al though the prices of cloths are about the same now as one year ago. The advance of wools in the Northern and Eastern States, compared with 1849, is from 2 to 3c.; while in Ohio, Michigan, and other Western States, it is from 4 to 6e. per lb. The excitement in the Western market has been and still is very great, growing out of the John Ticknor killed an old hog, ANIMALCULES ON HUMAN TEETH.-Dr. H. J. BOWDITCH, of Cambridge, Mass., states as the result of many microscopic examinations of the accu-competition amongst buyers, in combination with the causes abovemulations on the teeth of healthy persons, that of forty-nine individuals, most of whom were very particular in the care of their teeth, animal and vege. table products were found in every instance except In those cases the brush was used three times a day, and a thread was passed between the teeth daily. Windsor soap was also used by one of tlse two. mentioned; and purchases have been made on speculation at so Common to blood Merino, 25a27c. 28130c. 31a35c. 36 10c Prices of Agricultural Products. [Review of the Market for the last month.] ALBANY, JUNE 20, 1850. FLOUR.-Since our last report there has been a good steady trade, and Eastern demand for flour, but with little or no speculative movement. The upper tendency of quotations noticed in our May report, continued till the early part of the present month, when for a day or two the market became weaker, but subsequently rallied again. This fluctuation which has been regulated solely by the tone of the N. Y. Market, is ascribed on the one hand mainly to the uncertain character of the reports of probable receipts from the West, which hitherto have proved larger than was anticipated, and on the other to the active demand at that market for the Eastern trade, for New Orleans, and for Canadian, and low grade State flour for the British Provinces The market here may be quoted at $5.44a$5.561 for ordinary to good state, $5.62 for mixed western, $5.69a85.75 for straight do., $5.871a$5.94 for fancy do. and state from good Western Wheat, S6a 6.12 for Genessee, $6.124a86.25 for fancy Genesee and Ohio, $6.37 a$6.75 for extra Genesee. These quotations show a considerable advance upon those given in our May report. The stock of flour here is good, consisting principally of the better brands of State and Western flour. GRAIN-The supplies of prime Genesee wheat during the month; although larger than those of the previous month, have been small; the milling demand for these descriptions has been good, taking all' offering at an advance of 16a18c. on the closing quotations in our May report; the sales are 13.000 bushels principally Genesee, at 115c. for Wisconsin to arrive, 132a138c. for Mediterranean, and including some 10,000 bushels Genesee at 137a150c., the market today being very firin at 150c. for prime Genesee, and 148c. for a prime lot of Lancaster Co., Penn., both to arrive within a day or so, with a good demand, buyers offering 147c. for Genesee. In corn there has been a good demand which has been checked by the light receipts. The supplies which have been kept back several days by the break at Bushnell's Basin. are now coming in, and a more active market is anticipated. The improving tendency noticed in this article in our May report, continued to the 1st inst., when Northern round Yellow sold at 69c. and Western mixed at a trifle off that figure; the market retained its firmness for some days, but for want of supplies nothing was done; and after the receipt of the unfavorable advices from Europe, by the Atlantic on the 9th, and the Canada on the 13th inst., prices gradually fell off, the market closing yesterday at 60a60 for Western low and high mixed, and 60 for flat yellow. Northern Yellow round unless in prime condition is not taken, and may be quoted at 62a624c. numerally. The sales since our last are 200,000 bush. including 25,000 tnsh. Western mixed, reported sold yesterday for delivery in all August at 56c., and 20,000 do. in two lots on the 28th ult. to arrive, at 66 c. The tendency of the market at the close, was to a further decline. Rye has been more active, and prices have varied with the quotations of other grains. The market has ranged from 624a65c, which latter point it reached on the 31st ult., and subsequently declined to 60c., at which figure it sold on the 19th inst. The sales of canal are 25,000 bush. In barley we notice sales of about 6,000 bush., two rowed at 65c. Oats have been active, with a good speculative demand; the sales here and to arrive, since our last, have reached 120,000 bush., including 40,000 bush. to arrive on private terms. The balance taken in lots as they arrived, closing at 47c, with a steady demand. The highest figure obtained since our last report, was on the 1st and 2d inst., when 52c. was paid. FEED-The high price of the coarse grains has produced a demand for feed; the inquiry is good, but the high figures asked restrict sales. The transactions are about 30,000 bush.; 13a14c. for bran, 15c. for shorts, 174c. for Port Byron shorts, 19a25c. for second quality fine feed, and 103c. for middlings. SALT.-The sales of bag salt embrace 22,000 bags at 11c.; barrels are lower, and sell to some extent at 100a103c; we also notice sales of 300 to 400 sacks, Liverpool at 130c. per sack. WHISKEY.-The limited quantity offering restricts sales. The transactions reported are about 900 brls. The market is now dull at 25c., at which hgure the last sales were made. Buyers offer only 24c. for S. P. The highest quotation reached this month was 264c. WOOL-The sales since our last report have been very limited; some 10,000 lbs. were taken at 34c. for super., and 31c. for No. 1 pulled. The lots of the new clip offering in the street are taken at 26a34c., according to grade. PROVISIONS.-The sales of Mess Pork during the month have been about 500 brls. Stale Mess, principally on private terms, and Beef part at $12.25a12.50 for State Mess, and $11 for Western. Hams $15.50, with sales 106 brls. The sales of cut meats have been to a fair extent; the transactions add up some 80,000 lbs. at 8c. for smoked hams; and 43a5c. for do. shoulders. There have been further sales of live hogs at 34a3fc. Is The Plow, the Loom and the Anvil [S a Monthly Journal of never less than 64 pages, beautifully printed, on the best paper, and conducted by J. S. SKINNER, founder of the first agricultural journal published in the United States. The object of this journal is to teach the Farmer and the Planter, not only what is transpiring to improve practical agriculture, but t prove to them, by argument and illustration, how the prosperity o American Agriculture is blended with, and promoted by, the prospe rity of all other Industrial pursuits in our own country. The following are taken from hundreds of the like, to show the bearing and merits of the work. The July (1856) number will be the first of the next (third) vol Back ume, and will be a good time for subscribers to commence. volumes to be had. P. S.-Particular attention is paid to the woolen and iron interests as connected with Agriculture. Hillsborough, Ohio, 6th February, 1850. I will only add that the zeal and ability with which "the Plough, the Loom, and the Anvil," has been conducted thus far, and the promise it affords for the triumph of the principles it advocates, demand of its patrons, and the friends of protection and national prosperity and independence, everywhere, renewed and more persevering efforts to extend its circulation, and, as I would not recommend others to do what I would not do myself, I engage and hereby pledge myself to be one of 1000, or 100, to procure five new subscribers to "The Plough, the Loom, and the Anvil," and in default, take that number myself, for gratuitous distribution. I hove the honor to be, Very respectfully, ALLEN TRIMBLE. NOTE. The words in italics emphasised by the writer. Mr. Phinney, writer of the following, is well known as one of the most accomplished and practical farmers in New England: Lexington, Mass. As for my opinion of your new work, "The Plough, the Loom, and the Anvil." In the first place, I have been actually astonished that one hand and head could do so much. I want more time than is allowed me in the day and night hurry of court business to express my views of a work so broad in its range, and so eminently calculated to be of great utility to the interests of the whole country. I most sincerely believe it will do more to promote the cause of agriculture, to give a healthy tone to the great body politic, and to reconcile conflicting parties than all the noisy declamations of hot-bed politicians. In short, it is just what the country wants, and must convince every owner of land, that if he would thrive by the plough, it must be by bringing it into proximity with the loom and anvil. I had not seen a single number of the work till I received the seven numbers forwarded by you, and regret that I have so long been deprived of the pleasure of perusing its interesting pages. Every New England man, woman and child, owes you a debt of gratitude that should at all times secure to you open doors and open hearts. With kindest wishes, that you may for a long time to come be enabled to pursue your useful labors, I am, very sincerely, your friend, E. PHINNEY. Senate U. S., Washington. I was much gratified at the perusal of your speech (at Middletown, Connecticut,) which exposed the fallacies of our free trade politicians. The true cause of the depression of agriculture in our country is to be found in the fact that we purchase and pay for immense quantities of foreign bread, meat and vegetables, when we pay for the articles manufactured abroad which we consume. I trust your labors may open the minds of our farmers to this truth. Let them see that when they wear a coat made of British broadcloth, they must pay for the food the manufacturer consumed while engaged in making the cloth. With great respect, your obedient servant, J. R. UNDERWOOD, Of Kentucky. To the Editor of the Plough, the Loom, and the Anvil. EXTRACT FROM HOLLIDAYSBURGH, PA., 9th March, 1850. I wish your "Plough, Loom, and Anvil" was read by every farmer in our country; it would be a perfect panacea for many of the evils with which we are oppressed. It would produce as great a sensation as fire in a barn among rats. But there is a good time coming, there is every now and then a star appearing in the horizon that did not previously exist. I hope to be able to do something to advance the interests of your journal, but can't promise to enter Governor Trimble's list, as too many of our farmers would rather rend political squibs, than anything that concerned their calling. Yours respectfully, JOSEPH DYSART. Nashville, Dec. 30, 1849. Every man in the United States ought to read "The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil." MAKK R. COCKRILL. The terms of subscription to The Plough, the Loom, and the Anvil, are in advance for two subscribers, or for two years, $5; for one subscriber $3 a year; or $10 will pay for six years, or for five subscribers for one year. The next July number will be the first of the next volume. Address J. S. SKINNER, July 1-11. 70 Walnut street, at his cost and risk. Poultry Books. THE American Poulterer's Companion, by C. N. BEMENT-price $1. The American Poultry Yard, by D. J. BROWNE and SAMUEL ALLEN-price $1. The American Fowl Breeder, by an Association of Practical Breeders-price 25 cents. for sale at the office of THE CULTIVATOR. A Brief Account of the Uncultivated Lands on Long Island, in 1850. IN answer to numerous inquiries relative to the uncultivated lands on Long Island, and for information concerning them, the attention of the public is directed to the following brief account of their position, natural capabilities, and the facilities they offer the city mechanic, the market gardener, the fruit-grower, the dairyman, and all others who are in quest of a new home. These lands are mostly in the interior or middle parts of the Island, and probably were at first neglected more from their remotc situation, than anything else, being inland, as it is commonly expressed by the inhabitants. In fact, there does not appear to be any other cause for the origin of the discredit in which this portion of the island has long been held, than that it was a few miles from the shores, and therefore not so desirable to the early settlers as the lands bordering on the beautiful bays and harbors that surround them. Indeed, all the first settlements were made near the shores; for the waters afford great privileges, added to the pleasures and comforts of life, as they abounded with fish and wild fowls in great variety; and which were a means of subsistence to the inhabitants then, as now. There is no other way to account for the strange and singular neglect of the middle regions of this Island. The eastern parts of it are highly cultivated, with a soil by nature no better than that now under consideration; the northern and southern shores, nearly its whole length, have been settled and cultivated, as long as the western part of it; more than two hundred years. By reference to the old maps of Long Island, it will be seen that the settlements are as above described, and that the middle portion, for about forty miles long, and from six to eight miles broad, are entirely a blank. The Long Island Railroad passes through nearly the centre, from east to west, of this unimproved tract, which commences at Farmingdale, distant thirty-one miles from the city, and extends to Riverhead, about forty miles. The Great Hempstead Plains" are nearer the city, being only about sixteen miles distant. There are in this tract about 17.000 acres of the most beautiful land, capable, in every respect, of the highest cultivation, and belongs to the town of Hcampstead, in common. It cannot be sold without a popular vote of the inhabitants, a majority of whom have always opposed the sale of it; and it is probably for this reason, alone, that it is at present unimproved; for the soil is equal to any other part of the Island of like extent. It is, in truth, a prairie, and the only one east of the Alleghanies, and was, in the early history of the country, considered as a great curiosity, and as such, was visited by great numbers of people from the different colonies, and by the early European travelers, but was not then regarded as barren. It was more than one hundred years ago that Long Island obtained its distinctive appellation of the "Garden of America," and was then considered as highly fertile and productive, and described as such by all those who wrote anything about it previous to the Revolutionary War. Had the middle parts of the Island, along the borders of the railroad, been cultivated as the other parts, the lands there would now present the same appearance that those under cultivation now do. Long Island was, in the early history of the country, regarded as highly fertile, as will appear by the following extract from the Annual Report of the American Institute, to the Legislature of the State of New York, for the year 1847, from page 688. "A work of 1670, proves this a rare and curious book, Denton's History; or a Brief Description of New York, formerly called New Netherlands (this has been called one of the gems of American History, being the first printed description, in the English language, of what is now the great, wealthy, and populous State of New York.) Long Island is not spoken of in this, nor any subsequent work for a great many years, as being of poor soil it is everywhere spoken of as being exceedingly fruitful, with a pleasant and healthful climate, and beautiful streams and bays, abounding in all kinds of fish and water fowl." The Island was then (1670) settled on the eastern parts of the towns of East and South Hampton, and all the north shore, including the towns of Huntington and Smithtown, and the settlements in the north part of Brookhaven, so that the whole island was at the time of this author well known; for he says, "The Island is most of it very good soyle, and very natural for all sorts of English grain, which they sowe, and have very good increase of, besides all other fruits and herbs common in England. "The fruits natural to the Island, are mulberries. posimons, grapes, huckelberries, cranberries, great and small plums of several sorts, raspberries and strawberries; of which last is such abundance, in June, that the fields are died red; which the country people perceiving, instantly arm themselves with bottles of wine, cream and sugar, and instead of a coat of mail, every one takes a female upon his horse, behind him, and so rushing violently into the fields, and never leave till they have disrobed them of their red colours, and turned them into the old habit. The greatest part of the Island is very full of timber, as oaks, white and red, walnut trees, chestnut trees, which yield stores of mast for swine; also maples, cedars, saxifrage, beach, birch, holly, hazel, with many sorts more." Then follows the enumeration of a variety of herbs and flowers which the country naturally affords, "Yea, in May you shall see the woods and fields so curiously bedecked with roses and an innumerable multitude of delightful owers, not only pleasing to the eye, but to the smell, that you may behold Nature contending with Art, and striving to equal, if not excel, many gardens in England." Such is the description given of this Island by all the early writers. The Hon. Gabriel Furman, in a very able and interesting address, delivered at Jamaica, October 10th, 1841, before the Queens County Agricultural Society, says the first printed history of New Netherlands, published by Vanderdonck, at Antwerpt, in 1650, gives a similar description of the fertility of Long Island. The streams of the Island are numerous and of remarkable clear ness and purity. The old author above (Denton,) says of the "Rivers and Riverets which empty themselves into the Sea; yea, you shall scarce travel a mile, but you shall meet with one of them whose Chrystal streams run so swift, that they purge themselves of such stinking mud and filth, which the standing or low-paced streams of most brooks and rivers westward of this colony leave lying, and are by the Sun's exhalation dissipated, the air corrupted, and many fevers and other distempers occasioned, not incident to this Island." All this part of the Island is covered with a rank and vigorous growth of vegetation, and has probably produced a crop of wood, pine, and oak, fit for the New York market, every 18 or 20 years, for the last 100 or 150 years, besides having been burnt over a great number of times during the above-named periods. From this fact alone, may be seen its productive power; for any land that will produce wood, and the various kinds of vegetation that this land produces, must be capable of cultivation to the highest degree; and there can be facts enough adduced to prove beyond a doubt that this is true of almost all that part of Long Island now uncultivated and wild, along the borders of the railroad. There never has been an attempt made to cultivate any portion of it that has failed; in every instance where it has been fairly tried, it has succeeded. There are now many farms and gardens, highly productive and fertile, that were a few years since reclaimed from the same kind of land. It is the opinion of the best agriculturists of the state of New York, and other men of high intelligence and practical skill and knowledge of agriculture, who have examined these lands, that there is no reason why they cannot be cultivated by ordinary means, and rendered as prodvetive and as valuable as any other lands on the Island. Among those who have seen these lands, and expressed opinions favorable to their cultivation, is Judge Meigs, of the American Institute. He says that "Long Island contains all those materials, calcareous and others, necessary for high and profitable cultivation, and that these lands, for the various productions of the garden, field, and orchard, are very highly adapted, and also for the vine and silk mulberry." Dr. Underhill, celebrated for his cultivation of the grape, at Croton Point, has examined this portion of Long Island, and says, "there can be no doubt that all these lands can be rendered highly productive and fertile without any difficulty, and by the same means that will cultivate and enrich any other land." He further says, he is willing to stake what reputation he has as an agriculturist, that these lands are susceptible of most profitable cultivation for the vine, the peach, the apple, and other orchard fruits, and the usual productions of the garden and field." Professor Renwick, of Columbia College, says, those portions of the soil from Hempstead Plains, have been analyzed in his labo ratory (in Columbia College,) and "were found to partake of all the constituents of a fertile soil, in large proportions, and only requ're the application of quicklime and other decomposing substances to render them fit for the process of cultivation;" and says of the scrub-oak lands, "that it is a fact, that in many parts of the country those lands called oak barrens,' and neglected for a time, have been found to be the best wheat lands, and these lands of Long Island may prove of the same character." Professor Mapes is also of opinion that these lands may be easily, cultivated. The late T. B. Wakeman, Esq., and General Chandler of the American Institute, have given opinions, after having examined these lands, favorable to their successful and profitable cultivation. Charles Henry Hall, Esq., whose skill and judgment are undoubted, in all matters relating to agriculture, expresses his entire belief in the feasibility of rendering these lands eminently productive; that the climate and soil of Long Island are favorable to a high degree of perfection to all kinds of fruits and plants that grow or can be raised in this latitude. A. B. Allen, Esq., editor of the American Agriculturist, says there is no doubt that these lands can be successfully cultivated, and Mr. Allen's opinion on the subject of clearing it of roots, or of breaking it up and rendering it fit for the plow and hoe, is deserving of very great consideration. One great objection urged by the people of the Island against any attempt to clear and cultivate the part of it under consideration, is the great difficulty and expense in clearing the land of the growth of bushes, which, as commonly done by hand, by means of a large hoe, or mattock, and costs too much. Mr. Allen thinks that it can be broken up by the plow for about three or four dollars per acre, and he has had great experience in all matters pertaining to the clearing of new land. It is now found by experience that crops can be put in these lands by the harrow, and thus cleared at even less than by plowing. Evidence of this kind can be adduced to almost any extent, and there are no facts that can be brought against it, and all the opinions to the contrary are founded upon ignorance and prejudice. Samuel A. Smith, Esq., of Smithtown, in an address before the Suffolk County Agricultural Society, at Commac, in the fall of 1846, said of these lands, "that they had always considered them only fit for deer to roam over, and foxes to dig holes in, and they knew no other reason for such opinions than that their fathers had told them so"-that they never had made any attempts to cultivate these lands, and therefore did not know from any fact that they were unfit for cul. tivation. The situation of these lands is extremely favorable, and even desirable. The Long Island Railroad passes directly through the uncultivated parts of the Island-thereby affording easy and certain access during the whole year, having, in this respect, a great advan tage over even those places on the coast or bays that are esteemed the most valuable-for, by the railroad, the market can be reached at all seasons and at all times, without reference to wind and tide, and unobstructed by ice, as the bays and harbors are for three months in a year. The surface of this part of the island is varied, or gently undula ting, with a southern aspect, having a descent of from twelve to twenty feet to the mile, from the ridge of hills about one mile norti of the railroad, to the shores of the great South Bay, a distance of five or six miles. The summit level of the railroad, at Hicksville, is 142 feet above tide water, and at Lake-Road Station, 48 miles from the South Ferry of New York, it is 90 feet-it will therefore be seen that the surface is not a "dead level-a great dreary plain," but sufficiciently varied. In passing through on the railroad, the appearance from the cars is altogether unfavorable, and the impression left on the mind, to an ordinary observer, is erroneous. The excavations for the road arc, in most cases, so deep as to go below the upper stratum of the earth, or the proper covering of the Island, and into the sand and gravel, of which it is everywhere composed below the surface. Hence the appearance of sand and coarse gravel, that is seen on the borders of the railroad. This fact can be easily ascertained by any one who doubts it, by digging through the surface stratum anywhere in the vicinity of the village of Jamaica, or in those finely cultivated fields along the railroad, either east or west of that place, a very few feet, say from one and a half to two and a half feet deep, will turn up the same kind of sand and gravel as seen along the road to the east of Hicksville and Farmingdale. The whole prospect from the road after leaving the last abovementioned place, is barren and desolate, and without a careful examination and knowledge of the facts herein stated, the conclusion would be that the land was in itself necessarily sterile and barren; for, in addition to the sandy and gravelly appearance, the absence of the trees, and in much of the distance, a stinted vegetation, or in some places none at all, on the immediate borders of the railroad, seem to confirm the opinion that it is as sandy an barren as it has ever been represented. The explanation of this may be found, first in the fact that the uneven and irregular growth of wood or trees being of different heights or sizes, some very small and scattered, whilst others are larger, and which is in consequence of the time or period that has elapsed since the land was cut over. On some places the growth is one year old, on others two, five, seven, ten, &c. Besides having been cut over, it often happens that it is burnt over, which always has a tendency to kill the timber and wood, and destroy vegetation. Nearly all the great region of wood and wild land through which the railroad passes, has been burnt over two or three times in five years. The first fire after the opening of the road was tremendous-terrific. At one time it lasted nearly two weeks, and seemed as though it would consume the whole Island. There was a great amount of combustible matter on the ground and in the woods, and the earth was exceedingly dry, and the effect of the fire was in the highest degree scathing-consuming almost every particle of vegetable matter on the surface of the earth. For miles in extent, nothing could be seen but the smooth and blackened surface, and the charred bodies of such trees as had escaped destruction. The fire happened in the month of April, and the land over which it had passed looked like a furnace that had suddenly been extinguished, as black and desolate as fire could make it. Yet as soon as the sun and showers of spring and summer came, the whole was again clothed with verdure-vegetation could be seen there, literally bursting into life." It was truly astonishing to see with what vigor, power, and rapidity the leaves and plants, and flowers sprung forth to deck the earth again in green. The writer of this well remembers with what interest he watched the returning signs of life in the vegetable kingdom there, and the great impression that its return so speedily, so luxuriantly and so powerfully made on his mind-how soon the restoring energies of nature were brought into action to repair the injury that had been done to the earth's surface. There is on each side of the railroad, distant about twenty rods, and running parallel with it, what is termed a fire road. It is a cleared path, about twenty feet wide, which has been cleared of all the bushes and roots, by grubbing. The object of this "fire road," or path, is to prevent the fire from crossing over it, and passing into the woods, in case of the combustible materials along the road taking fire from the sparks from the engine. The space between the railroad and these fire roads is burnt over every spring and fall, with a view to kill and destroy all vegetation, and all vegetable matter on it, in order to prevent the recurrence of fires; and this fully accounts for the extreme barren appearance along the borders of the road. The forest productions of this part of the Island are such as to convince the most skeptical that the soil is capable of yielding, when cultivated like other parts of the Island, in the same abundance. Immediately on the plains along the borders of the railroad the trees are chiefly pine, with a thick and vigorous growth of underwood or bushes, such as scrub oak, whortleberry, vines and grasses. A little to the north, are found the chestnut, hickories, the varieties of the oak, as white, black, or yellow oak, black walnut and locusts -all of which exhibit the most vigorous and thrifty growth. Indeed, so rapidly do trees grow on this part of Long Island, that about 18 years are considered sufficient to produce a crop of wood suitable to cut into cord wood for the New-York market, and there is no part of this state, (New-York,) where timber will grow so fast as on Long Island. If the soil were barren and destitute of the supporters of vegetation this certainly would not be the case. It may be here remarked that the locust, now so abundant in many parts of the Island, and so valuable as timber, is not a native, but was brought from Virginia, or from further south, by one of the Sands family, who settled near Sands' Point in about the year 1660. Mr. Sands was a seafaring man, and traded between the West Indies, the southern colonies, and New-York. The whole region of the Island. now in waste and wild, might be very casily transformed into a beautiful forest of locust, hickory or oak, to great advantage and profit compared with its present condition. This growth of forest trees is evidence tnat fruit trees can be successfully cultivated; and this opinion is sustained by the facts of the case; for whenever any attempts have been made, and proper care and attention bestowed, the most complete success has followed. The nurseries of Flushing have long been celebrated for their extensive and choice varieties of fruits. Peaches have been successfully raised on almost every part of Long Island, notwithstanding opinions have been advanced to the contrary. There were peaches of the largest size and finest flavor raised at Huntington, and exhibited at the agricultural Fair at Commac, in the fall of 1846. The Rev. J. Pillsbury, (now of Illinois,) cultivated successfully, a fine variety of fruit, including peaches, at emithtown, Long Island, a few years since. The peach orchard of Mr. John J. Stoothoff, at Jamaica, is such as to encourage others on the Island to cultivate this delicious fruit For a particular account of this beautiful and flourishing peach orchard, and its productions, see the American Agricultur ist, Feb. No., 1848. It will be sufficient to say, the year being the second of bearing, the orchard, containing about 2.500 trees, yielded about 2,637 baskets, worth $2,600. The whole product from 27 acres of land was 3,646. Peas and potatoes were cultivated between the rows of peach tress, and asparagus in some parts of the land. The soil upon which this orchard is planted is as much like the soil of these uncultivated lands, as it can be; it is impossible to discover any difference in viewing it, and it is not probable, that a careful analysis would show any difference. A few remarks on some of the privileges which the surrounding bays and waters afford, may not be uninteresting. They are not more than three, four or five miles distant from almost any part of these land; and in these waters are found various kinds of fish and wild fowl for the sportsman. In the streams that flow from the Island, the waters are remarkable for their purity, and for being but little affected with drouth. These streams are full of trout of large size and fine flavor. The Long Island Railroad is to be the great means of changing this great wilderness from its present wild and waste condition to the habitation of man, to convert it into gardens and cultivated fields. The railroad now brings this part of the Island almost within the sound of the city bells, and affords constant and regular means of access at all seasons of the year, thereby enabling those who will now take up and settle these lands, to have the benefits of the New-York and Brooklyn markets, with as much ease and economy as the inhabitants of the western part of Queens county have formerly had. It is to the interest and welfare of the whole Island to have these lands settled and cultivated-it will add greatly to its wealth and population. To the railroad, it will be of essential service and benefit; it is a plain matter of fact, that every settlement made on the borders of the railroad must necessarily furnish a certain amount of business and travel for the road. Lake Road, or Irvington, is one of the most beautiful sites of the inland parts of the Island. The soil there is of superior depth and quality, well adapted to the cultivation of all kinds of fruit, such as pears, peaches, grapes, and apples; and grain, as wheat, corn, rye, oats, buckwheat, as well as for every variety of vegetables raised on any part of the Island. The whole glebe, or tract of land to the south of Ronkonkoma Lake, and to the east of Connetquot River, is the very best of all the uncultivated land on Long Island, and when cultivated, will be equal in quality and value to any land, and the situation is extremely desirable for settlement and residence The wood or timber on this tract is oak, hickory, chestnut, locust and pine; and it may be here stated that similar land a little to the north or south of this tract is valued at and sold for $50 to $100 per acre, whilst this tract is offered at the very low price of $10 per acre-or from $10 to $20, according to location-a large part of the purchase money of which may remain at 6 per cent. interest for a term of years, if desired by the purchaser. The title is as good as can be to any land in the State of New-York. Lake-Road Station is the Half-Way House, between Brooklyn and Greenport, and the most central and important depot on the Long Island Railroad, for freight and passengers, being the terminus of a morning and evening train of cars, for the accommodation of the morning and evening travel between Lake Road Depot and New-York. EDGAR F. PECK, July 1-1t. 306 State st., Brooklyn, N. Y. |