hemp. enormously for the clothing of their labourers, un- | variations, to stand on the same bottom with states were the only constitutional almoners of the people's money. The proposed increase of the tariff on ardent spi- I do not pretend to have repeated the language rits, sweetened as it is with molasses, as a protection used by those highly talented men, but I declare to the agriculturists of the nation, is too disgust what I have stated to be the purport, that seems as ing to dilate upon. If our countrymen will take vivid to my recollection as if it was but yesterday. poison, it is quite immaterial whether it is hellebore It may be said that it is difficult to remember sentior arsenic. It is believed however, that the present ments expressed forty years ago. I appeal to any high duty on West India rum, has done more to oc- man who has been upon the stage of life for that casion the loss of the British colonial trade than any period, whether he cannot recollect the substance of mismanagement in negociation. As the planters remarks that occurred at that distance of time on had nothing but rum to pay for such of our agricul-particular and interesting subjects, with as much or tural products as they wanted, they have not been more accuracy, than such as he may have heard very strenuous to induce the government to open within one year. their ports. The next item we shall consider is hemp, that pays a tariff of thirty five, which the bill before Congress increases progressively to sixty dollars per ton. Are the advocates of "independence on foreign countries for all we want," aware that those very nations to whom they are indebted for nearly or quite all the examples brought to prop the "American system," do not hanker after such independence? The whole marine of Great Britain and France, are furnished with hemp from the Baltic. It does not seem to agree with the monopolizing I assure you, sir, that I never shed a drop of ink policy of Great Britain, to protect the growth of Internal improvements are said to be pressed into in support of party politics or with electioneering hemp in Ireland, one of the most fertile spots, and the service of the "American System." If that is views in my life, and never will. As I have anias well suited to that crop as any on the globe--and the case, does not one of its features resemble a madverted upon the "American System" which apby that means add a little comfor, by affording em steam boat with her wheels moving in contrary direc- pears, from what cause I cannot divine, to be in ployment to a portion of her six millions of kind tions? We find that the legislatures of the several some way connected with the Presidential question, hearted subjects, that have been debased to be sub-states and individuals are most ardently and lauda I deem it an imperative duty to declare, that I have dued---who labour to exist, and exist to labour.bly engaged in cutting canals and constructing rail-not in the most remote degree had reference to that France has found it for her interest to send her ways for the express purpose of enabling the farmer question, and that I entertain the highest opinion of wines and the "fineries from her work shops to to transport his produce to market at a very cheap the preeminent talents and integrity of the present Russia for hemp, and grow wheat that often com-rate. The advocates of the "protecting system," by incumbent, and a firm conviction that those associ petes with our flour, in the West India and South high tariffs on hemp, iron and duck, are taking theated with him in the administration are actuated by American markets. most effectual method that can be devised that he motives of the purest patriotism. owners. Having denied that Congress possess the power they have assumed, and on which the "protecting system" is based, it is incumbent on me to produce authority other than my own opinion, which certainly ought not to weigh a feather against a contrary doctrine, embraced by very able opponents. Happily I have it in my power to offer such as, I trust, will be considered paramount to that of those eminent characters ever so learned and well skilled in the science of construction. Readings on the 7th volume of the American Farmer. LIME AS A MANURE. How do our merchants pay for the five thousand should transport it coastwise and to foreign markets I have done, sir--if you are relieved of the diffitons of foreign hemp that is annually worked up in at a very dear rate. For it is as certain as that the culty under which you laboured, I am most richly our country? They take our flour, pork, lard, and tide will flow, as the materials for ship building rewarded. Be it otherwise, I feel assured of coma large amount of other produce to Cuba and Bra-advance in price, the freights of our immense pensation by your smiles. For the notion is strongzil, and with the proceeds purchase sugars, which coasting navigation as well as that carrying our ly impressed on my mind, that "man is irresistibly are taken to Russia, and cargoes of hemp brought products to foreign ports will advance in proper-impelled to laugh rather than weep at the vanity of back in return, to be manufactured into cordage to tion. his fellows." Be it as it may, you may rest assurrig their ships, and to export to the republics of ed of my cordial good will and esteem. Mexico and South America. This trade demands SAMUEL WYLLYS POMEROY. a large amount of tonnage, with provisions for the crews. And until the preparation of hemp is better understood and practised, will it not promote the "farming interest" infinitely more than to grow that crop? The committee say "hemp and flax only (See vol. 7, American Farmer, p. 9, &c.) need the consumption of duck and cordage of our On the 12th of April, 1827, I put about a pint of extensive commerce and growing navy." But the lime in each of three hills, and in each hill planted commissioners of the navy will not hazard their three grains of corn. This corn came up in good well-earned reputation, by sending the national ships It was my good fortune, sir, to be on the stage time and finely coloured. It was frequently struck to sea clothed with sails and rigging made of ma- when the federal constitution was formed, and, dur by frost and hard freezing weather, but recovered, terials the growth of our country, nor will the ship-ing the debates of a convention of delegates, chosen grew luxuriantly and produced two fine ears to each But if they are a little more oppressed by the people of my little native state of Connecti- stock. It was planted among potatoes which were with tariffs, they will send their ships to Europe to cut, to deliberate upon the question of its ratifica-limed. be clothed. There is no question but, by a proper tion; I attended in the galleries every moment of For several years; I have planted all my potatoes system of management, hemp can be grown in the their sessions. I was young, ardent, and my little with lime. The manner of doing it is, to run a furwestern country, and become a profitable staple at all" depended upon the issue; and, as you may well row with a plough, drop my sets ten and twelve one hundred dollars a ton; and we can prove by suppose, not a lisp escaped me. I there heard inches apart, and drop half a pint of lime on each facts, that it was prepared in New England, during William Samuel Johnson, Roger Sherman and Oli-set. The crop is improved one third or an half the last war, equal to the best Russian hemp. The ver Ellsworth* who had assisted to frame that com The effects of lime are more immediately observsystem, as now practised, is radically wrong. A pact, explain and defend its provisions, answer ob-ed on sand than on clay or loam. It is said in Enghigh tariff, however, will not change it-during the jections and allay the prejudices of strong, pure land, marle produces no beneficial effect on clay-war, hemp sold for $350 a ton; since, the price has minded men, with such eloquence, calmness and hence the old adage: averaged over $200; it is now $275 in Boston. energy that made an indelible impression on my Where do we see hemp prepared in the Russian mind. At that period, the people were jealous of manner? It should be considered, that all improve privileged orders; and a prominent objection was, ments in agriculture are of "slow growth." The that Congress might appropriate the public lands only method to bring hemp to such perfection as to with other wealth of the nation, and grant immunities be consumed by our marine, is for the state legisla- to some large and favorite states or class of citizens. tures to offer large bounties for hemp that shall They were answered, "that as by express provision, equal Russian, and to encourage the erection of no money could be drawn from the people by taxes but machinery for dressing it, by loans to the farmers in the ratio of representation," the inference was irrefor that express purpo-e;-and even then the in-sistible that it must flow back through the same crease will be so gradual, that it will take proba- channel. That considering the proviso that "all bly twenty years to furnish the demand for our na duties, imposts, and excises should be uniform" it vigation. would be an absurdity to suppose that grants of land, If the supply could keep pace with the increas-money, or any immunities whatever should not be ed consumption for ten years, it would be doing equally so. That the constitution conferred no well. In 1826, there was exported only from St. powers on congress to make any other disposition of Petersburgh, 2973 tons of hemp to the United the surplus wealth of the nation, than to hold it in States, and 4639 tons in 1827. The cordage manu- trust for the people, and that the legislatures of the facturers, if the present bill passes into a law, and they are not allowed a drawback, will be fairly run down by the tariff ship, as those of duck were in 1824. Flax may be supposed, with trifling * Mr. Ellsworth's name does not appear affixed to the constitution as published, but he was a member of the convention and a powerfully active one. He who marles sand, He who marles clay, Throws all away. This should be received with great caution. Marle ameliorates clay. Lime put on clay will render the draught an horse lighter. Thus a stiff, unyielding clay, which requires three horses to break up, can be broken up with two horses with ease, if well lined. The general rule in Pennsylvania is, to put forty bushels to the acre, and in three years renew the application. This will last twelve or fourteen years. On our cold, white oak, slaty lands of this county, lime has the most salutary effect. I believe it doubles the crop. It does not act so powerfully on limestone and limestone-gravel, but yet its effects are very important. Lime can be bought in this neighbourhood for ten cents per bushel at the kiln. Suppose two men with a four-horse team, can haul and spread two loads a day, of forty bushels each. 80 bushels lime, at 10 cents, Hauling, Total, 3 50 $11 50 SHORT HORNED CATTLE. } harrowed, cross-harrowed, and sown with some gar-bited the effects of the application, flourishing beden seeds. The crop was poor, as might be ex-yond expectation. What the result would have pected from such rough preparation. I had often been, I was prevented from observing, by reason of heard of trenching a garden, and knew that Mr. one of the domestics seeing the tops remarkably McMahon, late of Philadelphia, seedsman, had luxuriant, pulled them for the cows. From 'the Which is $5 75 per acre. Can there be a more trenched his garden two feet deep. When I saw it moment of this operation the plant ceased to thrive. economical mode of enriching land? Last summer tive. William Cobbett, in his excellent book on some fifteen years ago, it was astonishingly produc- Bedford county, Pa. T. B. M. I had a kiln burnt of 1000 bushels, which cost but five cents a bushel, including every iota of expen- determined to make the trial, and if the success gardening, recommends the practice strongly. I diture. Lime, as a manure, may be multiplied without bounds. Barn-yard manure must always justified the expense, to trench my whole garden. be limited in quantity, and though a judicious sys-vily with a vegetable substance, taken from a cranIn the fall of 1825, the garden was manured heatem of management will greatly increase the quantity, yet I know of no farmer who is able to dung berry swamp, (Mr. Eustis' Ash Pocosin,) mixed with lime, ashes and barn-yard manure. A bed of four all the land he puts in crop. If to make one acre yield the number of bushels which two now yield, square rods was marked out, and two men, each be a matter of national importance, as well as indi- with a grubbing hoe and shovel, began to dig a trench 2 feet wide and 2 feet deep. When this was vidual benefit, the judicious use of lime cannot be dug, they began another trench of the same width, too strongly urged. About fourteen years ago, one of my neighbours the earth of which was thrown into the first dug burnt a lime-heap in his meadow. After the lime trench, the top soil, lime, ashes, and all into the bot was removed, the spot produced nothing for two tom, and the bottom soil on the top. This work was continued till the bed was trenched, and it was years. Every year since then the grass has lodged a matter of great labour. on that spot. PLOUGHING, Earls Stimson and Lorain disapprove of deep ploughing. The ideas of the former appear to be grounded on the beneficial effects of shallow plough ing on his own particular farm. It is a practical result of a solitary experiment. Dung was hauled on the top, spaded in, and in the spring, parsnips were sown in drills, and radishes between the parsnips. The radishes vegetated weakly; the greater part died by reason of frost or other causes. The few that survived were very small and ligneous, and totally unfit to eat. Very few of the parsnips came up, and supposing the Lorain argues that deep ploughing places the frost had destroyed them in the seed-leaf, I re-sowed rich surface mould below the reach of the roots of them. About the middle of June, found the prospect the vegetable, and should never be resorted to ex-of a crop desperate, and having some beet plants, cept when the surface of the soil has been exhaust- set them out in the vacant spaces. These flourished ed by a bad system of tillage, and the subsoil is well, some of them attaining the weight of four or rich and deep, and will supply the deficiencies in five pounds. The parsnips were good for nothing. vegetable pabulum, caused by frequent ploughing and severe cropping.--(See Am. F. v. 7., p 49. 50.) The advocates of deep ploughing (and Tull led the way,) assert, that at every ploughing, a great fermentation takes place, and an exhalation of many tons to the acre, and that the quantity of gas exhaled is in a ratio with the depth the earth is moved. That the ground being moved to a great depth, the roots of the plants have greater latitude to extend themselves, and consequently the facili ties of collecting their food multiplied. That the moisture does not evaporate as rapidly from deep as from shallow moved earth, consequently the plants are less affected by dry seasons. In the spring of 1827, this bed was again manured, dug well with the spade, and sown in parsnips. They were well worked during summer and harvested the middle of November; a poor crop, bad straggling roots. A carrot, the seed of which had no doubt been deposited by accident, came up in the bed and was dressed with the parsnips. It attained an unusually large size and was very finely formed. A bed dug deep with the grubbing hoe, for it was too hard and stony for the spade, and sown the day the parsnips were sown, produced a large crop and finely formed. A vinter of the neighbourhood, who trenched his vineyard as I did my parsnip bed, sowed carrot seed on the fresh earth, which was a slate gravel, and the crop was large and very fine. It appears from this, that beets and carrots thrive well on land which has been deeply moved, though the subsoil contains but little vegetable matter, while parsnips and radishes, decline and die. It is a fair inference that deep ploughing is beneficial to some vegetables and injurious to others; that the surface of the earth must be made to contain the nutriment of plants before the seed is deposited, or the plant will not arrive at its greatest excellence; that plants absorb a portion of their food by the agency of the foliage; and that the radicula is a co-agent in the work; that the larger the leaves, the greater is the absorption from the atmosphere, and the less will it exhaust the soil. Hence beets and cabbage are not as great exhausters as oats. observe some inquiries relative to short horn cattle. I now state in reference to those inquiries that have a yearling improved short born bull, and also a bull calf, which I am willing to sell. The former was a year old on the 6th of November last, and now weighs about 1050 lbs. being in tolerable order only; his dam Flora; (an imported cow, who took the first premium at the cattle show of the Philadel phia Agricultural Society, held near Philadelphia in 1822,) his sire Blythe, out of Shepherdess, by Champion, and took the first premium of the Pennsylvania Society in 1826. He will be delivered in Philadelphia for $200. His colour is white. The latter was calved in August last, dam Rose, (out of Cora, an imported cow, by Bishop,) his sire Blythe. Both Cora and Rose have taken premiums, in competition with the finest cattle in this country. This calf's colour is roan, and will be delivered in Philadelphia at $100. Any further information may be obtained by writing to me. Very respectfully yours, JAMES COX. EXTRACT TO THE EDITOR. J. S. Skinner, Esq. } Calvert county, February 24th, 1828. Dear Sir, I commenced house-keeping on the 1st of January, 1810, since which time I have generally been at home, except the two last winters-my family have always resided on my patrimonial estate since I commenced farmer. We have had sprouts and turnip-tops for weeks past, and the latter are now seeding or going to seed, to use a common expression-I could endeavour to account for this on astroject to others more versed in such matters; suffice nomical principles perhaps, but I will leave the subit to say that such is the fact. I covered my cabbage stalks with corn stalks, after burying the heads, as we are in the habit of doing, and my turnips left in the patch after putting away the larger ones for winter's use, with pine brush. You can make what farming use you please of this, so that you keep my name out of public view-yet, if necessary, I will give you a certificate substantiating the above statement. Your friend, &c. HORTICULTURE. J. J. B. There is an appearance of truth in each hypothesis, but "who shall decide when doctors disagree." It is probable the practice of cach is advisable, under certain circumstances. I cannot, however, reconcile the theory of Lorain with the practice of the Chinese. They never suffer their lands to rest; they plough deep and spade deep; but then they manure for every crop. But from whence comes the matter, the material which enables them to return as much from the soil as they take from it? We answer, by the strictest care of the barn-yard manure, by a judicious use of lime, ashes, and above all, the preservation of that most powerful of all manures, night-soil, without which last, China would not support, by a number of mil lions, as many souls as now find plenty and happiJ. S. SKINNER, Esq. Columbia, S. C. Jun. 18, 1828. ness under the auspices of a wise and benignant govDear Sir, I have been for a long time but a ernment; but our vulgar, barbarian prejudices, cause Tobacco, however, is said to be a great exhaust sorry correspondent of yours, or rather no corresus to look upon it as a nuisance. In Pekin, Nankin, er and no doubt is so. But tobacco returns nothing pondent at all. It is not, I assure you from a dimi&c., it is mixed with lime fashioned into cakes and ex- to the soil; nine-tenths of the plant is shipped to nution of my great regard for you and your most posed on the shambles for sale to the country peopie. other countries. But if cabbage or beets are fed to useful labours; but from causes which I could not I have often thought that the relation of what cows on the land, as much fertilizing matter is de- perhaps account for satisfactorily. To make some one has done in the pursuit of one's profession, is posited as will compensate for exhaustion by their little amend, however, this is to inform you, that I worth a volume of theory. To relate actual expe culture, and I believe much more, because the nu-have just put in a box, directed to Mr. George Fitzriments, I conceive to be the best way of convey-tritious gas attracted by the plant from the atmos-bugh, Jr three bottles of my wine, made last Auing information to the great mass of readers. phere is concentrated there, and will serve in repro-gust. Two of them are of the Madeira grape, (so duction, if not suffered to escape. In the fall of 1824. I fenced in about an acre of land for a garden, after cutting the timber off it. It was manured and well broken up. In the spring it was In August last I placed some manure from the hog pen round some beets. Their tops soon exhi AMERICAN WINE. Called here,) the other of a native grape commonly called here the small summer grape. Finding it very good and deserving a name, I called it “Arena.” .. tional parcel, which I recollect to have received the construction of the canal, which is to unite the This vine grows abundantly in our sand hills. The W. D. INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT. SUSQUEHANNA RAIL-ROAD. men from Baltimore: To the honourable the General Assembly of the Common- We trust, that we do not deviate from the strictest propriety in adverting to the numerous memorials and remonstrances against the incorporation of this company, which have been presented to your honourable body. The grounds and arguments contained in those remonstrances, it does not belong to us to discuss. All that is desired or intended to be effected by the enterprise now submitted to your wisdom, is an open, fair and honourable competition for the trade of that immense country, which finds its outlet by the valley of the Susquehanna; to improve, facilitate, and cheapen the communication to Baltimore, now the great mart for the produce of the Susquehanna, and thereby advance the interest of our own city and state, whilst at the same time we encourage the industry and increase the wealth of our neighbours. All of which is respectfully subGEO. WINCHESTER. H W. EVANS. W. FRICK. mitted. I see Mr. Prince has a dispute on his hands relative to the birth place of his favourite the Isabella The undersigned, commissioners from the state of grape, and seems determined to prove it a native of Maryland, respectfully represent: That the act of this state. All the inquiries and researches that I the state of Maryland, passed at the present session have made on this subject have proved fruitless, and of the legislature, incorporating the Baltimore and it is certainly not known as a native in Dorchester, Susquehanna Railroad Company, contemplates a although it is very common all over this country; rail-road from Baltimore to a point or points on the but no one seems to know where it came from. It river Susquehanna, without designating the particucertainly bears strong marks of some of our natives, lar point of intersection on that river. particularly that called the Fox grape. Cultivation On behalf of the state of Maryland we submit this bas, no doubt, rendered some of them less sensible. law to the consideration of the state of PennsylvaIt is, in common with the Fox grape downy under nia, in full confidence, that it will be disposed of as the leaves; but in all the native ones I have noticed its importance deserves. the down is of a russet colour, and in the Isabella The spirit of internal improvement, which it now it is white. This may not be a character sufficient abroad in the United States, call for the exercise of to condemn it; for though I have not noticed a white liberality and comity between the states composing down on the wild ones there may be many that have this great republican family. The ideal lines which it, and join to this its taste, which has strongly that separate the several states should not, for a moment of the Fox grape. I hope Mr. George Gibber will involve any division of interests. We are but one solve the difficulty. nation, in fact and in principle; and the closer the (From Hints for Improvement of Early Education and ties are drawn, which bind us together, the more firm and lasting will be our political institutions. I am, with great respect, dear sir, EXTRACT TO THE EDITOR. Harrisburgh, Feb. 25, 1828. LADIES' DEPARTMENT. Nursery Discipline.) The relative position of Pennsylvania and MaryBesides the religious instruction of children, we land has long ago demonstrated the intimate con have also to attend to the formation of religious hanexion of their interests and the identity of their bits. If these be well established in early life, even policy; and hence your honourable body will find though the heart be not always engaged in them as West Chester, Pa. Feb. 27, 1828. the statute books of both states, marked by numerit ought to be, yet something is gained. Such haAs I have to acknowledge that a portion of your ous acts of co-ordinate legislation, authorising and complaint, about the negligence of your correspon encouraging public improvements, called for by the dents to furnish reports of the results of experi- progressive advancement of the country and the ments with seeds formerly sent, applies to myself, more frequent and extended intercourse between I will avail myself of this occasion to furnish a brief the citizens of the two states. No local interests or account of the fate of those few seeds heretofore sectional considerations have ever yet interrupted forwarded to me. Three or four years ago, I re- the harmony and liberality of the people or the legis ceived from you some seeds of the "Guinea grass," lature of the two states. The which were carefully planted, but not one of them The extensive territory and unbounded resources vegetated. So there was an end of them. About of the state of Pennsylvania have enabled her to un the same time, you favoured me with some "rabbit dertake the execution of great and splendid public berries," from the Missouri country-of which a works. The operations of Maryland have necessa friend of mine, who has much skill and experience rily been more limited; but still she has not failed in gardening, succeeded in making three or four to imitate the laudable and liberal example of the grow. young trees are doing well; and I hope, former. Her citizens have expended large sums in a few years, to see some of them in fruit. The of money, and now hold an unproductive stock, botanical name of the rabbit berry tree, or shrub, amounting to many thousand dollars, within the is Shepherdia argentea, of Nuttall; or Hippophae, of limits of Pennsylvania. She has promptly united, Pursh. Being a dioicous plant, it remains to be and expended dollar for dollar, in improving the naseen whether any of our young trees will prove to vigation of the Susquehanna, so as to facilitate, if be fertile. The next of your remittances, to be no-not create a commerce of great and increasing im ticed, is the "Egyptian millet," or Holcus spicatus, portance to the vast country watered by that great of Willdenow. The seeds of this grew very well, river, and its tributary streams; and when the trade, but the frosts of autumn caught the plants whilst thus attracted to tide, became an object of interest in full bloom. Our seasons are entirely too short and attention to the great emporium of Pennsylva for the culture of this vegetable. The only addi- nia, the state of Maryland promptly co operated in bits frequently become the channels through which spiritual good is conveyed-besides, whenever the vital principle of religion begins to operate, they render the path of duty less difficult. Amongst the most important religious habits, may be ranked the daily exercises of devotion; a fixed time and plan for reading the scriptures; a regular attendance, and serious behaviour, at a place of worship; and a practical regard to the Sabbath. DEVOTIONAL EXERCISES.-In bringing up children to regular and stated devotional exercises, it will also be necessary to instruct them in the true nature of prayer; and this may best be done by examples. We may remind them, that the woman of Canaan prayed, when, though often rejected, she still called upon her Saviour, "Lord help me;"--that the disciples prayed, when, in the midst of the tempest, they cried, "Lord save us, we perish;" (Matt. viii.)—that the publican prayed, when he smote upon his breast, saying, "God be merciful to me a sinner;"-that the blind man prayed, when, notwithstanding many discouragements, he still repeated, "Thou son of David, have mercy upon me;"-and that these are all instances of that fervent and humble prayer of the heart, which "availeth much." Children may be asked, if they were hungry or in humble reliance on his blessed promises; and out. Stockholder is here as yet; whether he will athirst, distressed or in danger, in what manner with full confidence in him who is not an "high leave the neighbourhood or not, I am not able to they would call upon their earthly parents for relief priest, that cannot be touched with the feeling of say. Sir Richard (full brother to Monsieur Tonson,) and deliverance? and reminded, that it is with the our infirmities, but who ever liveth to make inter will stand at Nashville; 30 and $35 will be bis terms. like earnestness they should beseech their heavenly cession for us?" and might we not hope, that the Sir William will stand at the same; I think his pros. Father to pardon their sins, to strengthen their prayers of our children would be less defective, pects are good for a great_season. He has more weakness, "to deliver them from evil," and to grant were the spirits of those about them more serious weight and strength than Richard or Stockholder; them "his favour, which is better than life." Their and more devotional? his blood and performances entitle him to a standattention should be directed to the powerful and A love for the sublime and beautiful works of na-ing equal to any stallion in the western country, or tender affections of their earthly parents towards ture should be early cultivated, not merely as afford- perhaps any other. The old mare, the dam of them, that, from this consideration, they may be ing a source of pure enjoyment, but as a taste, Monsieur Tonson,' looks like a stallion, and is in the better able to comprehend the love of God, as which, if properly directed, may promote a devo- foal to Stockholder. I am offered $500 for the colt being infinitely greater, more tender and unchange- tional spirit, and elevate the mind, by raising the if dropped alive. Her colts are all good, and her able. They may be taught, that as God heareth views through "things which are seen," to Him who youngest, by Pacolet, cannot be bought for $2500. the ravens cry, and satisfieth the wants of every is invisible. He is two years old this spring; very promising; a living thing, much more is he ever attentive to the good bay, with a most beautiful front; of fine size, feeblest desire, or the least sigh raised in the hearts with the best set of feet and legs I have ever seen of his children towards him: that it is the prayer of possessed by any colt of his age. He is Monsieur the heart alone, which is acceptable in his sight, alTonson's youngest brother." though a form of sound words is valuable, as an assistance in raising the affections and confining the wandering thoughts. "Happy, who walks with him! whom what he finds, But children are too often suffered to repeat their prayers with as little reflection, and almost as little GRACE BEFORE MEAT.-Children should be taught reverence, as they manifest in the common engage to receive their daily bread as from the hand of ments of the day. We should endeavour to bring God, and that excellent custom of grace before and them into a serious and tranquil state of mind, be after meat, ought, surely, to be kept up in the nurfore they kneel down. They may then be remind-sery, as an open acknowledgment of gratitude to ed of their faults with good effect; and thus the Giver of all good. gradually accustomed to unite self examination with the duties of devotion; examination, not only of their outward conduct, but of their motives; a habit essential to real religious advancement! The morning and evening afford the best opportunities for devotional exercises; and it should be our earnest desire to accustom our children to be gin and close the day with Him in whom they "live, and move, and have their being;" to accustom them "to seek first the kingdom of God;" to make it their first business, on waking, to give thanks for the mercies which are "new every morning," and to seek for daily strength, support, and protection: that thus, when they arise, "they may sull be with him;" that he may "Guard their first springs of thought and will, And with himself their spirits fill." In the evening, when they have prayed for pardon and peace, let us endeavour to infuse the spirit of that beautiful expression in the Psalms, "I will both lay me down in peace and sleep, for it is thou, Lord, only, makest me to dwell in safety." At no time is the influence of a mother more valuable than when her children are retiring to rest. It is then, that having ceased from the business and the pleasures of the day, their minds are quieted, their feelings more tender, and more fitted for the reception of religious impressions. Happy is it, if the spirit of her own heart be such as to enable her to make full use of these favoured moments; to make use of them as valuable opportunities for withdrawing the hearts of her children "from things which are temporal," and of fixing deeper and more lively impressions of those "which are eternal." In the absence MR SKINNER, VIRGINIAN. Person co. N. C., Feb. 15, 1828. I am desirous to see recorded in so permanent and extensively circulated a work as the American Farmer, for general information and future reference, an account of the celebrated horse Virginian. Virginian was allowed on all hands to have been one of the finest horses ever raised in Virginia. My own opinion is, after critically examining him at DAILY STUDY OF THE SCRIPTURES.--It will be of various times, that taking into consideration his advantage, if the daily portion of scriptural instruc-great size, he was the very finest horse I ever betion can be given to children as the first employ-held. It is true that I have seen small horses of ment after their morning prayers; and it is much to equal beauty, symmetry and proportion, but he be desired, that parents should retain this part of combined these requisite qualities with vast size, education in their own hands; for the situation of a power and muscle. This horse is now no more, and parent gives advantages for the performance of this as he left an extensive progeny (for the time he coduty, which are rarely possessed, in an equal de-vered,) of superior form and powers, consisting of gree, by a tutor or governess. Perhaps the earliest colts, fillies. young studs, racers and covering stalscriptural lessons, are best given in conversation, lions, which are dispersed throughout our country, assisted by prints By this simple method, even it is conceived that all breeders and sportsmen will very young children, before they can read, are ca- take an interest in the following account of this pable of understanding, and of profiting by many celebrated horse. This horse, while living, had his parts of sacred history. A reference to Wallis enemies, and they endeavoured to undervalue him map of Canaan, with little figures, and when chil- by representing his blood not to have been of the dren are old enough, to Burder's Oriental Customs, best, but I hope incontestibly to prove that there or Calmet's Dictionary, will add to the interest of was no better bred horse in our country; for the to render the Scripture lesson amusing as well as the historical parts of the Bible, and will contribute evidence that will be adduced, will show that he instructive. was descended from a race of ancestors remarkable. for their pure blood and high form. After he had arrived to the full perfection of his form, and his progeny began to appear, all his enemies disappeared; and there needs no better evidence of the estiImation in which he was held as a horse of uncommon properties than to mention the fact that William R. Johnson, Esq. (who has seldom, in his life, had any thing to do with covering stallions,) purchased a half interest in him a few months before he died, at a high price. MR. Skinner, (To be concluded in our next.) SPORTING OLIO. FLAG OF TRUCE. Red House, N. C., Feb. 24, 1828. of a mother, on these occasions, it is the duty of an of Truce" should be given to the public through You have requested that the pedigree of "Flag assistant, as far as possible, to supply her place. the medium of your paper. The following account When a child has repeated his evening prayers, she is from an old man who formerly resided in Virgi should not allow him to return to trifling conversa-nia, and is much conversant in the pedigree of tion or common pursuits, but take him quietly to horses, and I make no doubt may be relied on as bed, and she will find it beneficial and gratifying to correct: him, then, to read a psalm or bymu, as the last thing before she leaves him. The prayers of her children should be simple, and suitable to their understandings and state of mind; we must not, however, expect that they will always enter into them with the feeling we may desire. Yet, as we are to persevere, through all discouragements, in the performance of this sacred duty, ourselves, must we not also train up our chil ren to it, notwithstanding their great infirmities, in simple obedience to the express commands of God; "Flag of Truce was raised by Colonel Portress, Extract of a letter from a gentleman--dated Galla- "The spirit of patronizing the blood horse is felt The greater part of the following account is extracted from the first advertisement of this horse, as given to the public by his owner, J. J. Harrison, Esq. There is an enthusiasm displayed in this acin this case it certainly was an enthusiasm justly count which this liberal minded breeder and sportsman has always felt towards the blooded horse; but felt, and extended towards a noble and appropriate object. AN ADVOCATE FOR THE BLOOD HORSE. "The noted horse of Horses!!-The celebrated and unrivalled rare horse Virginian: "The masterpiece of nature herself!! "In the formation of this noble animal, she has (after several thousand unsuccessful attempts,) at last arrived at perfection." PEDIGREE. Virginian was foaled in the spring of 1815, was a beautiful bay, and when full grown was upwards of 5 feet 4 inches high. ed horse Sir Archey, his dam Meretrix by Magog, He was got by the celebrat grandam Narcessa by the imported horse Shark, Monroe, raised and run by Burwell Wilkes, were became so great in the second heat, that he was great grandam Rosetta by the imported horse Cen-from said stock; and every good racer raised by compelled to disengage his foot from the stirrup, tinel, great great grandam Diana by Claudius great, James J. Harrison were also from said stock; I might which prevented him from holding back the hard great, great grandam Sally Painter by Sterling, particularly name Virginian, who either lineally or mouthed Virginian in such manner as to preserve great, great, great, great grandam the imported collaterally partook in his pedigree on the dam's his wind. mare called Silver, imported by William Evans, of side, of every cross of the above stock. Surry county, Va. and got by the Bellsize Arabian. Magog was got by Chanticleer, (the best son of Wildaire,) his dam Camilla by Wildaire, (the best son of Fearnought,) his grandam Minerva, by the imported horse Obscurity, his great grandam Diana, by Claudius as above. Claudius was got by old Janus, his dam Mr. Meade's famous mare by the imported horse Aristotle out of an imported mare. Claudius was full brother to old Celer. Sterling, a beautiful dapple grey, was foaled in 1762, was got by the Bellsize Arabian, (which Mr. J. Simpson offered 1500 guineas for) out of Mr. Simpson's Snake mare: She was got by Bow's Snake, and he by the Lister Turk. W. E. BRODNAXE." PERFORMANCES ON THE TURF. Spring 1818, Virginian being three years old, won the large sweepstakes at Newmarket, seven subscribers, $500 each entrance, two mile heats, with exceeding great ease, beating amongst others the celebrated Contention, &c. Fall meeting 1818, he won the sweepstakes at Warrenton, N. C., two miles heats, six subscribers, $200 each entrance. Next week he was started at Drummonsburg, for the post stake, two mile heats, which he accidentally lost, having won the first heat in great style, and was in a fair way of being victor of the field in the second heat, when, making a very short turn, (the Spring 1820, I trained him; he fell lame from a relapse in his fore legs; however, by the assistance of rest and the use of epispastics, he so far recovered that he was started for the proprietor's purse at Belfield, two mile heats. The first heat he won; he ran restive and lost the race. [The following letters are introduced by the writer further to illustrate the pedigree and noble gene-ground being very miry,) his rider fell off him; not-wherever he went. He sustained no disgrace, for alogy of Virginian.] Extract of a letter from James J. Harrison. "Magog, the sire of Virginian's dam, was one of the finest looking horses, and but for his ancles giving way, one of the best race horses of his day I am fully sensible, that it has been the particular wish of some gentlemen to have something to say to the disparagement of Virginian's blood, but they dare not meet me on the subject; as to his blood, take it all in all, is equal or superior to any in America. "Old Narcessa, the grandam of Virginian, was said to be the prettiest and the finest looking mare (except Rosetta, her mother,) that was ever seen. gave 1701 in actual specie for her, the first money I ever made after I left my father, and made too by hard labour. Narcessa was by old Shark, and said to have been the last colt he ever got. Virginian's stock on the dam's side, is where he derives his beauty from, as they were undoubtedly the prettiest horses that ever have been seen in this country. No credit is given Archie on that score; he gets size and strength from him, not that size was manifestly wanting on the dam's side, but that Archie is masterly; so that in Virginian, all things are combined. July 20, 1822. J. J. HARRISON." withstanding the accident, Virginian kept the track field. Same fall, he was again ran at New Hope for the jockey club purse, four mile heats; he won the first heat; in the second he likewise ran restive, and ultimately broke down, which caused a complete rupture of the suspensory ligaments in both fore legs to take place. Here he finished his racing career; rarely equalled before him by any horse on the American turf, and never surpassed, after making his owner a complete sum of ten thousand dollars. Although Virginian has left the turf and been beaten, yet he carried his celebrity along with him he reigned for several years the triumphant victor of the turf, without finding a competitor which was sessed both speed and bottom; he was a very sucable to put him to the utmost of his speed. He poscessful racer in all distances; he never yielded to the pressure of fatigue. So great were his muscular powers, that there never was a single race horse before him possessed of the like. Suffice it to say, such posterior extremities never were before formed by nature of such exquisite exactness. In a word, he combined transcendant beauty with matchless strength. In conclusion, I have just to remark, men of celebrity, that it is the opinion of one, that that from two letters lately received from gentleone hundred years will elapse before the equal of Virginian will be produced; the other says that Virginian is a horse "exactly formed to his liking, exactly made and fitted to his taste." Janus, Shark, Eclipse, Marske, Citizen, Arch Duke, Robin-redBreast, and Knowsley, all wanted either size, colour or beauty. Virginian is at the climacteric of Spring 1819, four years old, he was trained and his glory, for he combines all these inestimable and jury in one of his fore legs, he became lame and carried to Newmarket, but having received an in-desirable qualities, in an eminent degree. Jan. 27, 1821. JAS. J. HARRISON. was not started. Next week the lameness having subsided, he was started at Broad Rock, for the proprietor's purse, two mile heats, which at two heats he won very easily indeed. The judges and nearly all the spectators, gave it as their decided course, he could have run this race in a shorter time than ever had been run by any horse in America, he having run it in 3 min. 49 seconds; having been kept back in all possible reserve, the boy swinging to him, to hold him back. The week following, he won the proprietor's purse at Belfield, two mile heats. This race was track in the first heat, but so soon as he arrived at won at three heats, owing to his attempt to leave the the enclosing fence, he suddenly made a stop, turn ed around and started again, (when quite 200 yards behind;) he saved his distance, and clearly proved that if not for the turning out, he could easily have won the heat: the next two heats he won with the greatest ease, beating Young Timoleon and others. Extract of a letter from Wm. E. Brodnaxe, of Va. The only one of her produce which I retained, was Diana by Claudius; she was a black, 4 feet 10 inches high, and remarkably stout made, and a very fine mare. She died at 22 years old, having produced me a dozen foals or more. She had a neck like a stallion, and all her produce were fine. The only one I retained of them was her first, viz: Minerva by Obscurity, 5 feet 2 inches high, a dark bay, stout made and a fine mare. She brought me only four or five foals; died young with the sleepy staggers. I only retained from her Camilla by Wildair, a blood bay, 5 feet 2 inches high; she died at 14 years old. She was one of the finest mares I ever saw, and all her produce fine; she was the dam of Magog, Citizen, Sir William, and several others. In those days but few horses were trained or run. I raised only for size and beauty. But all that were trained of the above stock run well; the fact is, they turned out more racers than any other stock of my knowledge in Virginia. Madison and Next week, Virginian won the jockey club purse at Drummonsburg, four mile heats, beating Mr. Wynn's famous mare the Lady of the Lake This race was ran and decided in superior style at one heat. THE FARMER. BALTIMORE, FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1828. Occasion has been taken heretofore to urge the economy and great advantages of employing mules, to a greater extent and in a greater variety of agricultural operations than has been hitherto done. It is well known that in Spain and Portugal, and in their colonial settlements, the mule continues to be used not only as a beast of burden and drudgery, but for the saddle and for light draft, in the coaches of the grandees and the royal families. Fall 1819, be won the jockey club purse at War- A singular evidence of the estimation in which renton, three mile heats, beating Mr. Wynn's Ra-they have long been held in a country which boasts rity with great ease. its splendid Andalusian horses, may be found in the Next week he won the jockey club purse at following cedula, by Ferdinand of Spain, granting Drummondsburg, at a single heat, beating the cele to Christopher Columbus, the extraordinary privilege brated horse Carolinian, finishing the race in play-of riding a mule, in consideration of sickness and ful style bodily infirmity. Next week he won the jockey club purse at Newmarket, at two heats, beating Young Timoleon with all imaginable ease. Same fall, I ran him at New Hope, N. C. for the jockey club purse, four mile heats, and was beaten by Napoleon, not for want of either speed or bottom, but for want of strength in the boy who rode him, arising from the weakness of one of his knees, which had been produced by the bite of a horse. The pain and weakness in the rider's knee "By the King. Whereas I am informed that you, the admiral Don Christopher Columbus, are indisposed in body, by reason of certain infirmities, which you have had and now have, and that you cannot ride on horse back without great prejudice to your health, therefore, in consideration of the foregoing, and of your age, by these presents I give you permission to ride a mule with saddle and bridle, in whatsoever parts of these kingdoms and seignories you choose or deem meet, notwithstanding the |