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About the 1st of March, or before the fly comes to deposite its eggs, I take the hams down, and cover each one on the flesh or inside part thickly with dry ashes. I prefer weak ashes, because they remain drier, and do not give the bacon a soapy flavor, which strong ashes will do. I then take the hams separately, and place them on shelves, arranged like the shelves of a store-house, taking care not to let one lie on another. My object is to keep them as dry as possible. The thick coat of ashes accomplishes not only that, but prevents mice, rats, and all insects from attacking the meat. It prevents, too, the absorption of moisture, or evaporation, and preserves the hams free from rancidity or any material change from keeping. Hams of this kind-of one, two, or three years old-can scarcely be distinguished from each other.

Some persons pack hams in salt, which gives them an earthy flavor, and some in ashes, which gives them a soapy taste. My hams have sustained the highest character in the Richmond market for many years past; and I have obtained the highest prices for them; and, for my own table, they are at least equal to the inemptas dapes of any Roman citizen. The whole secret of making good hams consists in salting well, (using saltpetre,) smoking and drying well, and then keeping the hams dry and free from the depredations of rats, mice, and insects. My bacon never becomes rancid, which I attribute to good salting, good smoking, and dry keeping.

I am, very respectfully, yours, &c.,

WM. A. GILLESPIE.

Hon. THOMAS EWBANK,

Commissioner of Patents.

NOTTAWAY COUNTY, VIRGINIA,
November 24, 1851.

SIR: Your Circular, propounding various interrogatories connected with the agricultural interest, was received some time since, and laid aside, without any expectation of a reply-not from any want of solicitude for the success and encouragement of your Report, but from a belief that its pages might be more profitably filled by others.

I am reminded, however, by the reception of your last Report, and the large amount of most valuable information it contains, that it is the duty of every citizen, when called on, to contribute his exertions, though feeble, to the promotion of such a desirable object. The legislation of this country is so rarely employed in the advancement of the agricultural interest, (the most important of all,) that whatever is done should be nourished and cherished with the most lively concern.

I regard the Department under your supervision as one of the most important in the Government. It has been said that he who makes two blades of grass to grow where but one grew before confers more benefit on mankind than the whole race of politicians put together; but, by establishing and encouraging your Department, the politicians themselves are tributary to this most important result.

You remark that "the questions are intended rather as hints or suggestions, than to be literally followed in shaping replies; and, by extend

ing, as they do, over the agricultural products of the whole country, no one person can be expected to reply to all." I am relieved, then, from the necessity of observing any particular system or regulation in what I may write.

I may remark, in general terms, that corn, wheat, and tobacco may be regarded as the staple crops of this region of country. Nor can I say that, until lately, any particular interest was evinced in any improvements of cultivation, &c. We have lately formed one of the most interesting agricultural clubs in the State-meeting every month, at the house of some member, to discuss agricultural subjects. One of my enterprising neighbors has three silver cups as premiums for the largest number of subscribers procured for agricultural journals. I mention these incidents as indications of an interest and a tide of improvement which, taken at its flood, may lead on to fortune. This zeal and enterprise, I think, may be regarded, in part, as the offspring of certain facilities of transportation, &c., afforded by the internal improvements of the country; and which will, no doubt, effect some changes in the kind of crops cultivated. This interest, to which I have referred, has caused a great many experiments in different varieties of grain, &c.

Wheat.-I last year tried various kinds of wheat, and remarked, to an extensive wheat-dealer, that I had settled on the Poland and purple straw. My selection commanded his decided approbation. I think they may be now regarded as in the highest favor in this section. Still objections are urged with propriety against both. The Poland is later than desirable, and consequently more liable to rust. The purple straw is considered more obnoxious to smut; which, in some neighborhoods, has been very fatal this year, particularly to this variety. Having a manufacturing mill, I can speak with some degree of confidence and information on this point. I cannot tell why this description of wheat should be more liable to smut. Its distinguishing characteristic is, that it is made earlier than other kinds. The use of brine and lime in preparation of the seed wheat is considered a preventive. The Poland has this year, I think, exceeded in product and quality all other varieties. Its growth being taller, it is considered better adapted to poor land; and the use of guano corrects its tendency to be late.

It is very difficult to give an accurate response to the inquiry concerning the average product. My Poland (some call it Woodfin and blue stem) has this year yielded about fifteen for one sown, or about twenty bushels to the acre, being here sown on better land than usual. I should regard ten for one as over the average in this section. Guano and other fertilizers are so generally used now, and so much more attention bestowed on improvement of land, that the product has been greatly increased within the last few years. I have not used guano extensively, but sufficiently so to express the confident conviction that it would quadruple the product on poor land. The proportion of increase is not so great on rich land. The plan generally adopted in this section is to turn it under with a two-horse plough. Intelligent practical farmers are now preparing to harrow it in with the wheat. I consider it such a powerful stimulant that it will act well when applied in most any way, except top-dressing. It is too volatile for that. If the government would now turn its attention to a reduction in the price of this article, I should consider it, in connexion with its encouragement to your Department, as

an ample atonement for the neglect which has heretofore characterized its operations. I made an experiment which satisfied me that its effects are visible (when turned under) for four years. If you are required to make any report to Congress, I should recommend this as the chief material for it; and if you can be instrumental in effecting this reduction of price, you would deserve a monument from the farmer second only to Washington's. In connexion with the wheat crop, and your inquiry concerning improvements in machinery, I will remark that I have for two years used one of Hussey's reapers with much satisfaction and advantage. I think the saving in labor and grain will return its cost for every thousand bushels reaped. I think for a whole crop it is decidedly superior to any I have seen or heard of. Others may beat it in a trial of one hour. This machine is not liable to get out of order. It will cut about twenty acres per day, without leaving a single head standing. I could say more on this subject but for the space it would occupy.

I think the use of steam, particularly in threshing, grinding, &c., is likely to constitute a new and important era in agricultural operations and its incidents. I look forward to the time when steam engines will be so simple and cheap as to be considered important and almost indispensable operatives on every large farm. I have been using one as an important and valuable adjunct to water power. It is, perhaps, enough now to say, that steam and water work together in perfect harmony. I have a grist mill, flour-mill, saw-mill, and many other machines, all of which can be propelled by water power alone, or steam power alone, or combined in equal quantities, or by using more of one and less of the other. It would be useless to describe the particular modus operandi, as no two situations would allow the same fixtures. Suffice it to say, that nothing more is required than a band wheel on any part of the machinery allowing it, to which the band from the engine wheel may be applied; the size of these wheels to be regulated by the motion required. It is for each individual to calculate whether the nature of his operations justifies the expense of the preparation. I would not consider that a grist-mill alone would justify it, unless on the principle that the owner could afford to use the engine at a loss a small portion of the year, to enhance his custom greatly during the remainder. But it is not often that such a power is confined to a single operation; for after procuring it these addenda cost comparatively very little. Nothing but an extra band and threshing box is necessary to thresh wheat; nothing but a band and bark-mill is necessary to grind bark for a tannery; and an engine to heat the water to extract the substance of the bark, grind it, &c., is almost indispensable in every large tannery; so that, without coming in conflict with the prudent and proper injunction not to have too many irons in the fire, it may still be judicious and proper, when you have a certain power, to make it work for you as many different ways as possible, particularly where the same supervision will answer for all. Indeed, it may be important to combine several in order to justify the expense of procuring the power. I have bestowed more time on this branch of the subject, because I know of nothing more essential to the development of the resources of the country. Many a bold stream is allowed to carry its tribute to the ocean unemployed, merely because of itself it is regarded insufficient to accomplish the desired objects-a deficiency conveniently supplied by the com bination discussed. I have already suggested that the government,

acting in its appropriate sphere, could do nothing more in aid of the neglected interest of agriculture than the encouragement of your department, and the reduction in the price of guano. If anything could be done effecting the cheap introduction of steam into our agricultural operations, such as grinding corn, threshing wheat, sawing plank, &c., I should regard the measure of agricultural importunity and aspiration as completely filled. There is a comfortable degree of humanity in conducting arduous and laborious avocations without the exhaustion of animal muscle.

I have occupied so much space on other topics, that, if I refer at all to the other subjects of your inquiries, it must be summarily.

Corn Crop-In reference to the corn crop, I think the saving of the largest double ears important, whatever may be the kind. There is no favorite species that I am aware of in this region; the product is very variable. We regard 10 bushels to the acre, without improvement, as a fair product.

Tobacco. In reference to tobacco, I believe that he who could cause one plant to grow where two now grow, would confer almost as much service as he who could double the blades of grass. I mean, by this, that the vast amount of labor employed in its cultivation can be more profitably employed on other operations, and that a country is more benefited by the productive articles essential to the sustenance of animal life than those tributary to its destruction.

Stock. In reference to your inquiries about stock, I would recommend for improvement, Cotswold sheep, Chester hogs, and a cross of Durham cattle, having tried all these kinds, and some others. There are many other topics of universal interest to the agriculturist" suggested by your Circular. I fear, however, that the length of my response has already caused you to regret the application made to me.

Oats.-Oats cannot now be regarded as one of our market staples, though the cultivation is extensive for domestic use. The most valuable variety I have tried is the Prince Edward Island.

Rye. The multicole rye has been recently introduced into this section of the country-I think, with satisfactory results. That description formerly cultivated frequently failed to produce grain. I have cultivated the different varieties in parallel rows, and found the product of the multicole more than double. It is later than other kinds, and has more time to form the grain; there is no other perceptible difference. I think it should be the policy of our country to encourage' as much as possible those crops which require little or no cultivation between seed time and harvest, the effect being to save labor, improve land, promote the growth of grasses, the abundance of stock, &c. I have been influenced in the response I have made to your inquiries by a disposition to evince my appreciation of the Department under your supervision, regarding it as the harbinger of a brighter era and interest in the agricultural enterprises of the country.

Most respectfully,

EDWIN G. BOOTH.

NORTH CAROLINA.

LINCOLNTON, LINCOLN COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA,

January 10, 1852. SIR: I received one of your Patent Office Reports some days ago with great pleasure, as it contains some excellent information. I will give a few remarks on the culture of our crops:

Wheat.-Wheat is becoming the most profitable, but is mostly too carelessly put in. After the corn is gathered in October, the wheat is sown broadcast on the stock-ground. The average yield is from 4 to 10 bushels to the acre, and it is a good season in which we get that much. If we would sow more clover and grasses, use more fertilizing manures, plough from eight to twelve inches in July and August, and spread from twenty-five to thirty loads of fertilizing manure to the acre, we could raise from 50 to 75 bushels of corn to the acre; but alas! every farmer tries to see how much land he can tend; and behold, when autumn comes, it brings him but a small yield. Were he to spend one-third of his labor in making manure, and till less land, he would make double the grain; and plough eight or ten inches deep instead of running over so much land, and only ploughing two or three inches; then, when a good shower of rain comes on, it washes all his little loose earth away, and leaves his hill-sides bare. By breaking up his land with a good subsoil plough, (one of Nourse's eagle ploughs,) from ten to fifteen inches deep, it would absorb all the rain, and stand the drought much better. We raise no stock of any kind except for home consumption, and not half enough of that; for we have now worn out our lands so much, that we do not grow food enough to maintain them. I would rejoice to see the time when all the farmers of old Lincoln shall see the benefit of manure, and hope the day is not far distant when this shall be with them a leading interest.

I will thankfully receive any good variety of corn from the Office, should there be any, as I wish to make some experiments on some new kinds of corn, if it is but three or four grains; also shall be very thankful to receive any Reports from the Office.

Yours, respectfully,

G. S. SULLIVAN.

WELCH'S MILLS P. O., CABARRAS Co., N. C.,

December 31, 1851.

SIR: I received your Patent Office Report for 1850; also, your kind favor of Troy wheat came to hand on the 12th instant, which I seeded next day on good ground, but, I fear, too late for a fair trial; but I hope I shall be able to send you a report of it in my next.

Wheat.-The

Wheat. The crop this year was fine with those who sowed the May wheat. No rust or fly troubles this kind of wheat-nothing but the late frost in spring; that sometimes cuts its down. We have to sow in November, and sometimes as late as December. I sowed 7 bushels, and had 125. Time of harvest, 28th, 29th, and 30th of May; weight of wheat, 65 pounds; flour, good. Burr-mills now in use, that make as

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