Renovation of Worn out Lands.

H. K. BURGRON Esq., of Jackson, North Carolina, has been very successful in reclaiming the worn out lands of the section where he resides. He has furnished for the agricultural part of the Patent Office report, an account of his mode of improvement, by which he has doubled the product of Indian corn, and increased the yield of wheat in a still greater proportion. The following are the principal points in his system of culture:

If the "broom straw," in which these waste lands always grow up, retains any sap, by which, when turned under, fermentation will ensue, and cause the straw to rot, let the land as it is, be plowed with the largest size plow, drawn by three or four horses, running as deeply as possible-say not less than ten inches-and turning everything under. If the straw has no sap, burn it off, and plow as before. If possible, follow each plow with a subsoil plow, and go 6 or 8 inches deeper. This will make the stiff clay, which almost everywhere underlies our land, more open to the genial influences of the sun and air, and enable it to get rid of the surplus water of winter, and heavy rains in other seasons of the year.

About the middle of June, following when the weeds are about half grown, and before they have formed their seeds, sow the land broad cast at the rate of a bushel per acre, of the numerous varieties of peas among us, except the " black-eyed," which, having very little vine, affords little shade. In all cases I prefer those which have the most vine, and ripen earliest. When the land has much weeds or grass upon it, turn under the peas with any kind of plow, running not over three inches deep. If the land is bare of weeds. I prefer covering the peas with a large heavy harrow, running both waysfirst lengthwise and then across the beds. As it is important to give the peas a start over the weeds and grass, I soak them six hours in water, and rub them in plaster of Paris; and, when they begin to leaf and branch, say, when twelve inches high, I sow plaster at the rate of a bushel per acre. This stimulates their growth, and they overpower the weeds and grass.

When about half the peas are ripe-not "half ripe"-hogs should be turned in to trample and cut up the vines, otherwise it is extremely difficult to turn them under. So soon as this can be done, the hogs should be taken off, for shading the land from the summer's sun-a most important matter in all improvement and giving to the thin soil a large mass of vine leaves and other vegetable substances. From experience in the use of both, I think peas but little inferior to clover (to which family, indeed, it belongs,) as a specific manure for wheat.

After this mass of vine has been turned under, you have a "pea ley," over which sow a bushel and a half of wheat per acre, and six quarts of clover seed. Harrow both in thoroughly, and let the work be finished by the middle of October. The return will, of course, depend somewhat on the quality of the "old field;" but I venture to affirm, that it will amply repay all labor and outlay, and astonish by the great result apparently from so trivial

& cause.

I am familiar with the great increase of crops from the use of lime and clover, and I do not mean to compare the two methods of renovating land as equal; but where lime is not to be had, there is no application that can compare for a moment, on well drained land, (if it need draining) with plaster, Deas and deep tillage. No gold mine is so valuable

as a good marl pit. I am, however, confining myself to interior districts, where neither lime nor marl can be had.

After the wheat comes off in June following, the clover, if sown early in October, will have grown so as to shade the land pretty well, even on the waste I speak of. It should not be grazed the first year, at all: in the February after, top-dress it with all the manure to be had, not forgetting to apply all the old ashes within reach. This time of the year, (winter) is best for applying manure in our country, where the hot sun acts so injuriously on a bare sur. face. The roots of the young clover being protected from the hard frosts and sudden changes, by the manure, it shoots forward with the earliest warmth of spring, and smothers all weeds. When the weeds mature their seeds, they draw upon the fertility of land equal to most crops. Clover gives a crop equal to any other, and is all returned to the land in drop. pings of the stock while grazing upon it. As proof of its profit, for three years I have never fed my working horses on grain or fodder but once a day, from the middle of May till the clover fails. They are turned on the clover field after the day's work is over, and taken up in the morning in good condition for service. I have never lost one by this management: in fact they improve from the time they are thus treated, and work better.

After the clover has been on the land for two sum. mers, during which period it has dropped three crops of leaves and stalks, and thereby greatly improved the land, either turn it under as before, in September or October, for wheat, or later in the fall for corn the ensuing year. In the former case, you will find your land as thickly set as before with volunteer clover, which ought to remain as a pasture for the summer, after the second crop of wheat comes off. If corn instead of wheat, be grown, sow peas broad. cast among the corn at the last plowing, soaking the seed and rolling them in plaster as before. After the corn crop, do not suffer the land to "lie out." No error can be more opposed to good farming, than that which assumes that land is improved by "lay. ing out" and permitting a crop of weeds to mature upon it. If we had duly reflected, this error would long since have been apparent, in the continued quantity, of thousands of acres lying waste around us, not a whit improved by " lying out." After the soil has once been brought up by peas, subsoiling, or deep plowing and clover-all within reach of the farmer even in the interior—it will not again relapse unless the former barbarous and senseless practice of exhaustion and negligence be again adopted. If lime can be had, even at a cost of 20 cents a bushel, I would in all cases spread it on the land, after the first crop of peas had been turned under, to the amount of fifteen or twenty bushels per acre. This quantity will greatly benefit the land, and enable the owner shortly to repeat the application of a like quantity.

Canada and the United States.

Hon. Mr. FERGUSSON, member of the Canadian Parliament, in his speech at the late meeting of the Canadian Agricultural Association, spoke of the agreeable intercourse he had enjoyed with the people of the state of New-York in the following terms. He said for seven years past he had been in the habit of attending the New-York State Agricultural Fair. He had had the honor of being invited there from year to year, and he would say that if they would only go there with candid feelings and with a desire to im. prove, they would see something that would aston

at very low prices, over the northern and eastern sections of the country, and to the Canadas. Plums were not equal to a medium crop. Grapes, except in warm soils and sheltered situations, have failed to ripen well, from want of clear, hot weather towards the close of the season.

The weather, during autumn, has been generally mild, with occasional moderate rains. The latter half of September was, for the most part, unseason ably cold, but with only one or two frosts, and even up to the first of November there has been less frost than there often is before the first of October. The ground has been frozen but two or three inches. The leaves have fallen from the trees, from their having died a "natural death"-they had fulfilled their office, and were no longer needed. The autumnal hues of our forests have been splendid indeed, and with the rich green of our pastures and mea. dows, and the mellow atmosphere of the "Indian summer," our landscape scenery has possessed high attractions for those who can appreciate the beauties of nature.

Culture of the Onion.

EDS. CULTIVATOR-My little girl, who feels & common interest in the cause we are all laboring to promote, has favored me with the annexed copy of a statement by a worthy and intelligent cultivator in this town, which I forward, to be used at your discretion. It shows a net profit of about one dol. lar to each square rod cultivated, which is doing quite well for a yankee soil. I saw the crop in the field, and after it was gathered, and have full confidence in the accuracy of all that is said.

If I do not mistake, Mr. B's manner of preparing his land; of raising his seed; of pulverizing and applying his manures; of keeping his ground entirely free of weeds; of careful attention that every movement shall be made at the best time and in the best manner, affords instructive lessons for the cultivation of other vegetables as well as onions. I know not whether much attention is given to this crop in your region, but this I have observed for a number of years, no labor upon the soil in this neighborhood is more liberally rewarded, than that which is applied to this culture. The demand seems to increase with the growth, so that notwithstand ing the products have quadrupled, all are readily sold from 35 to 45 cents the bushel, according to quality.

Our cultivators of late are very partial to the use of the side hill plow, even upon their plain lands, because it leaves them free of all back furrow ridges, and dead furrow hollows, and as they think, in lighter and better condition. The old notion of plowing shallow and keeping the hard land for the raising of the onion is exploded; it being found that deep plowing is equally serviceable in this, as in most other crops.

Particularly do they find that the bulk of the manure applied should be well covered and intermingled with the earth; and that much stirring of the soil has a highly favorable influence on the growing crop. But I forbear to multiply my own remarks, my purpose being simply to give you the practical results of the hard hands themselves. Very respectfully and truly yours, J. W. PROCTOR. Nov. 8, 1850.

STATEMENT OF MR. BUXTON.

To the Committee on Root Crops :-I find the piece of land, planted with onions, to which I asked your attention, to contain one hundred and five poles,

and to have produced the present season four hun. dred and forty-eight bushels of onions fit for the market; being about three and one-third bushels to the square rod. The onions were not extraordinary large, but were remarkable for uniformity of size, and excellence of quality. They are as handsome as any I ever raised. They are of the species called silver skin. They are thick and plump, which form has been produced by careful attention in selecting such for seed for several years; I raise my own seed, and am particular to set only such for this purpose as I wish to raise. I find, in this way, that their form can be modified as I wish.

The land on which they grew is part of a field of 13 acres, on Collins plains, a light soil free of stone. For the last ten years it has been under good cultivation, and freely manured, most of the time this parcel has yielded onions. Barn manure, compost, ashes, and musclebed have been the prin cipal applications. Ordinarily when we plant onions we apply 5 or 6 cords of manure, to the acre. In 1849, finding the crop to have failed on this piece, yielding short of 300 bushels to the acre; I thought it needed some other nutriment, and as soon as the crop was gathered I sowed it with oats, using a cultivator to cover them. These grew luxuriantly, and late in the fall, just as the ground was about to freeze, I turned them under, using a side hill plough, running the furrows about eight inches deep. The entire crop was buried by the furrow and so laid until spring. On examining it then I found the oats as sound as when turned in; consequently I could not plow the land. I went over several times with a cultivator, and then applied a moderate dressing of manure from my hog yard to the surface, say about two and a half cords to the lot, and mingled it with the soil as well as I could, taking care to remove all obstruction to the even distribution of the seed; and then planted with a machine in the usual way. It came up evenly and grew well through the season, being kept entirely clear of weeds. The appearance of the plants through the season was uncommonly good-manifestly deriving much aid and support from the decaying green crop underneath. This is proved by another piece of onions in the same field, cultivated and manured in the usual way, where the crop was not more than two thirds as large as this. I am the more parti. cular in describing this experiment with the oats, because it has succeeded beyond my expectations. I have seen other fields of onions where they grew to a larger size than these, and have no doubt mine would have been larger, if I had put on more manure, but as a whole I have never seen a handsomer yield. They sell at the present time for $1.25 per barrel delivered in Boston. I have so long been accustomed to keep my land clear of weeds, that the labor of taking care of onions is not more than twice as much as is required for indian corn. I had no thought of offering this crop for premium until requested so to do. If this plain statement of facts shall be thought worthy of your notice, I shall feel much gratified. DANIEL BUXTON. Danvers, Mass., Oct. 21st, 1850.

Capons.

Professor DICK, a distinguished veterinarian of Edinburgh, gives in the North British Agriculturist, the following directions for caponising fowls:

Select a young cock-say from three to six months old, keep him fasting for 24 hours-let an assistant hold him on his back, and then make a transverse incision at the posterior end of the sternum (breast

bone,) so as to allow the forefinger to be introduced freely into the cavity of the abdomen; the finger is to be passed first on one side forward, by the side of the spine, and the testicle detached with the nail (which should be allowed to grow long, to facilitate the operation;) and having got out the one, the other must be removed in the same manner. The wound should then be closed with a suture, and the bird placed in a warm room, and fed on soft food for a few days. Instead of cutting away the testicle with the nail of the finger it is the practice in some countries to introduce a small tube, or reed, with a double thread, forming a noose, which, being passed over the testicle, is drawn outwards through the tube, so as to cut off the connection, and the testicles are thus removed, one after the other. The Chinese adopt this method, and use a reed, and a thread of cane fibre, which, by its firmness, and at the same time elasticity, suits well for getting on the noose. The operation may also be performed by making an incision before the thigh, in the side, in the same manner as in spaying pigs; but it is sometimes difficult to get out both the testicles in this way, and an incision is, therefore, sometimes required to be made in the other side, and the double operation is more likely to destroy the animal. Some make capons by passing the finger along the rectum, and break down the testicles by pressure, but it frequently does not succeed, and even if they are not removed from the abdomen, after the operation has been performed by incision, it sometimes happens that they adhere again, and resume their functions, and the bird is not castrated. Examine the body of a dead cock before operating. Pullets are made by dividing the oviduct, in consequence of which the abdomen gets filled with eggs; an incision is made the same as in making capons: the bird must be killed after a certain period.

men more skillful, expert, and useful in the particular kinds of work by which they are to earn their bread, and by which they are to make it go far and taste well when earned." Thus,

"Though nature weigh our talents and dispense
To every man his modicum of sense;
Yet much depends, as in the tiller's toil,

On culture, and the sowing of the soil."-Cowper.

New names must be given to new sciences as they are born, and the languages of the Greeks and Romans are those most usually drawn upon for this purpose. The science which describes the solid materials of the earth, the order in which they are arranged, and the causes which have affected that arrangement, has been named Geology, from the Greek, ge, the earth, and logos, discourse. The successful cultivation of a country, is at present knowledge of the relations of this science to the possessed by few farmers. Some understand its connection with the formation of the soils they cultivate, but even these are a minority. It may safely be said, that this knowledge is a desideratum, the want of which, together with that of other sciences of a kindred nature, now distinguishes our agricul turists. But it is remarked there are many good farmers who are not Geologists, who perhaps do not form a correct idea of the meaning of the word. They, however, neither understand the principles of their art, nor can they derive any intellectual enjoyment from the results of their practice; such men

are "born to blush unseen!" We do not mean to undervalue that sure practical guide of the farmer, experience, nor the result of long and frequent attention to numerous local circumstances; these are wheels within a wheel, yet of no subordinate im

portance.

Numerous instances might be cited of the benefits conferred by Geology upon agriculture. The intermixture of soils where one kind of earth is either

EDS. CULTIVATOR-In the preliminary treatise on Natural Philosophy, on the objects, advantages, and pleasures of science, published by the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, there are some excellent illustrations given, with one of which we will introduce this communication. The writer says,"There is hardly any trade or occupation in which useful lessons may not be learned by studying one science or another. To how many kinds of workmen must a knowledge of mechanical philosophy be useful! To how many others does chemistry prove almost necessary! Every one must with a glance perceive that to engineers, watch-makers, instrument-makers, bleachers, and dyers, those sciences are most useful, if not necessary. But carpenters and masons are surely likely to do their work better for knowing how to measure, which practical mathematics teaches them, and how to estimate the strength of timber, of walls, and of arches, which they learn from practical mechanics. Nay, the farm servant, or day laborer, whether in his employer's business, or tending the concerns of his own cottage, must derive great practical benefit for knowing something of the nature of soils and manures, which chemistry teaches, and something of the habits of animals, and the qualities and growth of plants, which he learns from natural history and chemistry together. In truth, though a man be neither mechanic or peasant, but only one having a pot to boil, he is sure to learn from science, lessons which will enable him to cook his morsel better, save his fuel, and both vary his dish and improve it. Science then makes

with great advantage. Red sandstone districts are converted into fertile land by intermixing with them the calcareous marl which they frequently contain in detached beds. So with the clay marl generally underlaying pine plains. The green sand marl of New-Jersey is applied to sandy soils with much

benefit.

"When we behold," says Pro. Rogers, in his report to the Legislature of that State, "a luxuriant harvest, gathered from fields where the soil originally was nothing but sand, and find it all in the sandy beach of the ocean, we must look with due to the use of a mineral sparsely disseminated exulting admiration on the benefits conferred upon vegetation by a few scattered granules of this unique and peculiar substance. The small amount of green-sand dispersed through the common sand, is able, as we behold, to effect immeasurable benefits in spite of a great predominance of the other material, which we are taught to regard as, by itself, so generally prejudicial to fertility."

We would regard it as a great advance upon the present position of the farming community, if each proprietor was qualified to name the rocks and minerals which are incidentally met with in crossing his fields. What pleasure would be derived by the formation of cabinets of geological specimens found on farms! How many young minds grow up sealed to knowledge, because those around them to whom they naturally apply, are sealed likewise! But it is gained by application, we will not say unremitted, but assiduous and continued, until its attainment seats its possessor on a throne. A. K. Albany, Nov. 1850.

New Kind of Manure.

Immense numbers of cattle were formerly slaughtered in South America, chiefly for their hides-the carcasses being left on the plains as food for wolves and vultures. Latterly, however, it has been found that a portion of the flesh and fat may be saved with profit. The process by which this is done is thus described:

"The best part of the beef is cut off in long strips, which are dried in the sun; and the remainder of the flesh and the whole of the bones are put into a large vat, with a double bottom, the upper one of which is perforated with a number of holes. A current of steam is then admitted into the space between the two bottoms, by which means the tallow is gradually melted, runs through the holes, and is collected in a vessel for the purpose; the current of steam being kept up as tallow is obtained. The remainder of flesh and bones is then thrown out, and has hitherto been regarded as refuse; but a considerable quantity of it having accumulated, the proprietors of the works were anxious to find a use for it, and they have accordingly commenced exporting it as a manure." Considerable of this substance has been taken to Scotland. It has been analysed in the laboratory of Prof. ANDERSON, chemist to the Highland Agricultural Society, and the results are given as follows: Water,

Fat,

Animal matter,.

Phosphate of lime,............

Carbonate of lime,.
Alkaline salts,..
Sand,....

9.05

11.13

39.52

28.74

3.81

0.57

7.16

100.00

The supstance is described as consisting of pieces of bone, mixed with dry and fibrous flesh. It emitted a strong odor, though from the dry state of the mass, its decomposition proceeds with great slow ness. Prof. ANDERSON thinks this manure will be likely to prove of considerable importance. He thinks it comes nearer guano than any other manure, though it is not quite equal to the best of that article from Peru. He observes, however, that "it will, in all probability, prove a slower manure than guano; and should this be the case, it will present considerable advantages, for there is little doubt that in many instances guano proves too rapid in its action-not giving sufficient support to the crop the latter part of the season.

A Receipt to Preserve Pork.

Take 1 lb. of Black pepper, and grind it fine for one barrel, or 200 lbs. of pork, and sprinkle on each layer of pork, until it is quite brown-then put on the salt. It helps to preserve the meat, and adds greatly to the flavor and smell of it. I have prac.

ticed it for years. LINDLEY M. VAIL. Quaker town, N. J., 10th mo., 22nd, 1850.

Cultivation of Cranberries.

EDWARD THACHER, of Yarmouth, (Mass.) furnishes the officers of the Barnstable County Agricultural Society an account of his mode of cultivating eranberries. The following is his statement:

July 12th, 1845, I purchased for $40, then considered more than it was worth, one and a half acres of land-about one half a sandy beach and the remainder a low peat meadow covered with water. A rim of about six feet in width around the bog and between the water and the beach, had a few cranberry vines on it, which had been closely fed off. In the spring of 1846, I drained the bog and covered

about one-eighth of an acre with sand three inches thick, and set it with cranberry vines in rows two feet apart and hoed them four times in the season of 1846, and once in the spring of 1847. The grass then got advantage of me, and I left the vines to work their own way. They have now nearly overcome and worked out the grass and rushes. On the remainder of the bog I strewed vines, and trod them in the mud, by walking over them. These grew with rapidity without any farther care except flowing in the winter. In the fall of 1848 I gathered from ten rods where no sand had been spread, as many bushels of cranberries, while on the part sanded I had scarcely as many quarts. The latter are now doing better, having got the advantage of the grass, and I think will finally work it out. I have this year, on the quarter of an acre offered for premium, quite a good crop, although the worms destroyed nearly one half. I have picked one square rod of the light colored variety, set in the mud, and it yielded two bushels and twelve quarts, (or at the rate of 380 bushels to the acre.) One square rod of the small dark colored variety on the mud yielded one bushel and two quarts. The large red variety yielded on the mud two bushels to the square rod. The whole quarter is not yet gathered; it will yield about thirty-five bushels, about one half of the vines being

set on mud and one half on sand.

In selecting soil for cranberries, it is highly necessary to select such as will not dry in summer, but much also depends on the selection of the vines, as the Committee will see by the samples here presented, all baving the same soil and the same treat. ment. The samples are not selected, but sent in precisely as they grew. The whole expense on the above bog, up to the present time, does not exceed $40.

I have received from the sale of cranberries, up to the fall of 1849,...... $320.00

Deduct for picking, one-fourth,... $80.00
All other expenses for setting, in-
terest, &c.,

Net profit,

40.00

120.00

$200.00

PRIZE WHEAT.-At the late exhibition of the Agricultural Association of Upper Canada, the Canada Company offered a prize of £25 for the best 25 bushels of wheat, and £12 10s for second best lot of the same quantity. DAVID CHRISTIE of Dumfries, received the firist prize. The variety was the white blue-stem, which he first obtained at the New-York State Fair at Buffalo in 1848. It is said to have weighed 66 lbs. to the bushel, and to have yielded 36 bushels to the acre.

TO YOUNG FARMERS.-One of the most important parts of a young agriculturist's professional education, is the characteristics, marks, qualities, and capabili ties of all descriptions of live stock necessary for ag. riculture. Some knowledge of sketching or draw. ing the live animals would be highly conducive to the pupil ascertaining a proper idea of shape and proportion; and should there be an intelligent butcher in the neighbourhood, I would recommend him to see as much of his business as he can consistently with his other occupations-to weigh the live animal, from its handling, size, and appearance in his mind; attending the slaying of such animal, examining its weight when dead, and comparing this with his own opinion of it when alive, would all lead him to form more correct and solid opinions in his future transactions with fat stock. Lecture on Agricultural Education.