per bushel; last year $1. The bean I mentioned does not injure the crop; only a little in the way in stripping off fodder. Clover and Grass are not grown to any considerable extent; yet we have as good grass lands as any found in this latitude. I sowed the different kinds of grass seeds you sent me last spring, just as the drought. set in; all died but a little of the Lucerne, on account of which I am very sorry, but hope to succeed better the next time. Neat Cattle.-We have no system of raising stock here, of any sort; and never count the cost, as the cattle live half the time on Uncle Sam's pasture. The dairy is not attended to, except as a family convenience. Butter is worth 10 cents per pound to produce in winter. Cheese is only made for home use, and is of an inferior quality. The best method to break a steer to the yoke, with which I am acquainted, is, to take him up at three years old; chain him to a tree or post, with a heavy chain; let him remain there until his head gets sore, for he will jerk a little at first; then put him in by the gentlest steer as a yoke-fellow; hitch them to a cart, and drive on. On the next day, put in his mate, if you think best, by another sober ox; keeping a gentle yoke always in for fear of fright or danger. After working for a few days, pair off, &c. Horses and Mules.-The raising of mules, in this county, is very profitable. The expense, until three years old, does not exceed $35, at which time the animal is generally worth $75; and never less than $50. The best way to break a colt or mule is, to handle it while young; handle its feet and legs; rub and keep it all the time docile; when you want to use them in gear, put it on gently; treat them kindly and mild; the plough, or the dump cart, are both good places for breaking them; avoid all whipping, hallooing, and jerking, as all such treatment is unnecessary and cruel. Sheep are only raised in this county for the little wool we use in clothing, &c. Hogs are grown in abundance for market. Pork is now almost entirely the product of corn and oats. One barrel of corn will weigh about 250 pounds; and generally three barrels of corn, or ten bushels, will grow 200 pounds of pork, the mast helping out a little. The best breeds for this county are the common stock, with about one-fourth Berkshire. I do not know that I am acquainted with the best method of putting up pork, or curing the same; however, I will give you my plan as practised for 24 years. I endeavor to fatten by the first day of January, at the latest: and ten days sooner, if I can. After killing and cleaning, I cut up, or open, and sprinkle a few handfuls of salt on each piece, letting it remain spread out until all the animal heat and blood have passed off; then salt down with plenty of salt, more by sight than by weight. If the weather is freezing cold, it does well to salt warm; and then take it up and resalt in the night time, if the weather should turn warm. After the meat has thus been well salted, and penetrated by the salt in every part-after it begins to feel sleek or slippery, I hang and commence smoking with green wood, or bark; any sound green wood will do that is not resinous; ash is preferable; oak or hickory next; tanner's bark is good, and chips do well. Windy weather is good for meat drying. During 24 years I have not lost 50 pounds of meat by not salting and curing well. We have killed even in March, and saved all. But attention is necessary in the management of curing. I have tried putting down bacon in corn, ashes, bran, &c., to keep out the skippers. I see canvass and sweet hay, applied around the hams, lately recommended as being excellent to keep and preserve them, and have no doubt that it is worth trying; fill all round the ham with sweet hay, and tie up tight; hang high and dry, and keep out the light. Cotton.-Cotton is grown here, to some extent. The average yield per acre is about 200 pounds of clean cotton. Cotton does not pay un. der 5, and is worth all of 6 cents to make it, in this latitude. Any crop grows well after cotton; for if the ground be entirely level, cotton does not soon exhaust the land; and, if rolling, it will soon wash off, or the soil will run to the bottom of the hills. The rust may sometimes be stopped by ploughing or harrowing. It is generally occasioned by dry weather, and the plant getting in an unhealthy condition; after which the small insects attack it and give it that russet color. The boll-worm has not troubled this section very much. I do not think that cotton lands should be ploughed very deep, especially rolling lands; for, in my opinion, it would not increase the crop, and the soil would wash off sooner; subsoiling might do on prairie land or river bottom. Cotton-seed as a fertilizer.-I have known it used, both in the growing of corn and Irish potatoes; nor is there anything better than this as a fertilizer, except the cotton itself. As before observed, if the land is not level, it will run off; and must be sown in wheat, oats, or planted in corn, or it will wear out; and must rest from cotton, at least. The South have always pursued a ruinous policy-so far as exhausting their lands is concerned by running them consecutively in cotton, even for 10 or 15 years. They are beginning to see their error, and will, I hope, reform; but the damage is now irreparable, or nearly so. Lands that once produced a bale to the acre, will now scarcely produce 400 pounds of seed-cotton. Sugar-cane.--This crop is not grown in this latitude. Rice. Only in small quantities. Tobacco. Only in small quantities, although this is a good tobaccogrowing county, and every farmer might, with little cost, produce his own tobacco; and I have wondered why they do not do it-economy suggests the propriety of doing it. Hemp is now on the decline; but little now cultivated. Turnips grow well; but will only pay to cultivate in small fields, from a half to two acres. Potatoes. This crop grows well here, and in seasonable years all kinds do well; no new varieties. Manures. I have not had experience enough to suggest anything under this head, that would be of any advantage to the agricultural community. Meteorology.-About the first of August, range of the thermometer in the shade about 99°. I have no means at hand for giving you the mean temperature of each month; nor the quantity of rain that fell in any, or all the months. I would simply say, that scarcely none has fallen here since the 4th of last May. CHUNNENUGGEE, ALABAMA, SIR: Your Circular of August last was forwarded to me by my friend, the Hon. Henry W. Hilliard. Before proceeding to answer the various inquiries relative to the agricultural productions and general husbandry of this region of country, it may not be amiss to allude to its topography and characteristics; confining my remarks to the county in which I live, knowing that you have other correspondents in different sections of the State, from whom you will learn the general results of the operations of the planters of Alabama. The county of Macon embraces a variety of soil, though the most of its territory is a flat, level country; yet, through some strange freak of nature, a remarkable ridge was thrown up, running transversely oblique through the southeastern portion of the county, which seems to be the line of demarcation between the calcareous and sandy regions, dividing also the waters-those on the north running into the Tallapoosa river, and thence to Mobile bay; while those on the south form the head of Conecuh river, the principal tributary of Pensacola bay. Thus, after describing an immense circle, they mingle in the Gulf of Mexico. The beautiful summit from which I write overlooks all the vast region extending to the high hills of Tallapoosa, a distance of 40 or 50 miles. Here, too, a few years ago, upon this identical spot, stood the grand council-house of the sovereigns of the land, who roamed at will over these wild romantic regions. They have passed away, leaving no vestige, no mementoes of their national existence, verifying the truth of Sacred Writ, which says, "The fashion of the world passeth away.' Many interesting events connected with that strange race of people and the localities of Chunnenuggee, might be narrated; but I leave that to the future historian, whose duty it will be to commemorate the existence of a nation once formidable in warlike deeds, and will now respond to some of your inquiries. This being a famous cotton-growing region,' the cotton mania prevails to a great extent, absorbing all other considerations; hence, our system of agriculture is a most impolitic and absurd one. With a soil and climate most congenial to the growth of all the substantials, and even luxuries, of life, yet we are the most dependent people in the Union, relying mainly, as we do, upon our neighbors of the West for nearly all our supplies. By the adoption of a judicious system of agriculture, properly diversifying labor, the Southern people would soon be the most prosperous and wealthy people in the nation, for the bounties of nature were never more lavishly bestowed. Ours is a "blest heritage," indeed. The happiest results may be accomplished by reversing our present system. If, instead of planting two-thirds of our best land in cotton, as is now the universal custom, we were to appropriate two-thirds of it to growing grain, letting cotton be a secondary consideration, we would then have full barns, a plenty of fine fat stock, and be able to live at home,' perfectly independent. Under this system the cotton crop would be curtailed at least one-third, bringing it under 2,000,000 of bales, which would guaranty remunerating prices, and prevent those ruinous fluctuations in the value of our great staple. Wheat. There have been no experiments made with guano in growing wheat here. Until recently but little attention has been paid to the wheat crop. The scarcity of mills and the rage for making cotton, tended to prevent it. But the result of the operations of the few who farm as well as plant, fully demonstrates the practicability of raising an abundant supply; yea, more than the domestic wants of the country require. By sowing the early kinds, the crop may be regarded as tolerably certain, and the yield from 15 to 25 bushels per acre. The kind of wheat exhibited at the great Macon fair, weighed 65 pounds to the bushel; and other specimens were but little inferior. Corn. I have no knowledge of any guano being used in raising corn. The principal manures used on our thin lands are cotton seeds, stable and barn yard manures, all of which answer a fine purpose. On our lime lands corn grows most luxuriantly, and the sloughs yield from 40 to 60 bushels to the acre, with good cultivation. Oats, Barley, Rye, Peas, and Beans.-The oat crop is becoming one of much importance, especially in the prairies or lime region. Here they grow luxuriantly, and yield most abundantly. They afford a most wholesome food for stock, particularly for work-horses and mules. When cut up or mixed with a little choppings or meal, they supersede, to a great extent, the use of corn. Barley is not cultivated to any extent; it makes valuable lots for brood-mares, &c. Rye is not raised for market here; it is regarded as valuable for green pasturage, and sustains our stock well during winter. Our lands usually yield from 15 to 20 bushels per acre; and it might be considered a valuable crop, for it uniformly sells for one dollar per bushel. Beans are only cultivated for culinary purposes, and grow finely in this climate. The pea crop on our fresh plantations is one of great value, as our entire stock are frequently fattened by the run of our pea-fields. After gathering corn, many object to raising peas, alleging that their stock is destroyed by them. The results of my operations have been so different, that I am a great advocate for the pea crop, not only on account of stock, but as a fertilizer of the soil. Clover and Grasses.-Very little attention has been paid to foreign or exotic grasses. I know of but one individual who has experimented with the red clover in this county; he seems to be pleased with his success, and thinks, upon our bottoin or slough lands the red clover may be grown successfully. My own impression is, however, that the native or spontaneous grasses of the South are most reliable, and by proper attention might be made a source of national wealth. Major S. Powell, of this vicinity, has recently made some valuable ex. periments, showing the vast product of our land, in spontaneous grasses; the most valuable of which is the crab-grass, which grows upon our corn land after the crop is laid by. He measured several acres in different portions of his field: from the first acre, on the high land, he saved 2,675 pounds of nicely cured crab-grass hay; from the second acre, which was in the bottom or slough, the yield was much greater, being 3,987 pounds. From his experiments, he feels well assured that from a ton to a ton and a half of hay could have been saved from each acre of his corn land. The crow's-foot and other wild grasses grow much more luxuriantly, and millions of pounds might be saved from our bottoms, which are annually wasted and lost through our negligence. Major Powell is of opinion that his hay is more nutritious and valuable than northern hay, and answers better for mules and horses than fodder. Dairy Husbandry.-But little regard is paid to this branch. In a country where there are so few farmers, but little attention is paid to stock of any kind. None make butter or cheese for market. Neat Cuttle.-As but few persons pay attention to feeding these, it is difficult to say what the cost of raising would be. A good milch cow, of common stock, is worth from $15 to $20. Blooded stock, Durham or Devon, sell much higher. Horses and Mules.-I find raising mules profitable, as there is but little expense attending it. They are usually put to work at two years old, and are less liable to disease than colts or horses. As I uniformly break a team every spring, raised on my plantation, I am inclined to think that the planters would find it to their interest to pay more attention to this branch of farm economy. Sheep and Wool.-As our climate is mild, I know no reason why wool-growing should not be profitable. Our sheep require but little feeding, and little attention has been paid to this branch of husbandry. Hogs are reared successfully, and as cheap as in any part of the United States. So much attention, however, is paid to cotton culture, that hog. raising is also neglected. Cotton.--That region of country extending west of the base of the Chunnenuggee ridge, embracing the prairies or lime lands, yields upon an average 1,000 pounds of upland cotton per acre; while the eastern and sandy region yields from 600 to 800 pounds of seed cotton. Sugar-cane grows well here, but is not cultivated with a view to make sugar. Rice can be grown successfully, and many planters make enough for their own use. Tobacco and Hemp are not cultivated. Potatoes.-The Irish potato is grown only for culinary purposes. The sweet potato is a more valuable crop, but is not raised for market. Fruit culture receives very little attention. Yours, respectfully, The COMMISSIONER OF PATENTS. N. B. POWELL. MISSISSIPPI. EDWARDS, MISSISSIPPI, September 2, 1851. SIR: The Circular from your Department, of August, reached me three days since. I make the attempt to answer your queries in part, even in the midst of pressing engagements. I do this that I may, as a citizen of Mississippi, render my mite towards making your Report more general; deeming it a duty to endeavor to obey all the calls of my country, as well as that those afflicted, like myself, with the "cacoethes scribendi," may still have a target to fire at; as it seems I furnish a better mark than any other of your numerous contributors. Why it is, the deponent saith not; though willing to lay the flattering unction to my soul," that "birds will peck the best fruit." 66 |