Chapter III: Part 3

1st. A committee on farm buildings, fences and implements of husbandry. To study the improvement of houses, barns, barn-yards and out buildings, both as it regards the plan and materials. To examine the relative cost of the different kinds of fences, and the best methods of constructing or raising them. To make improvements in the implements of husbandry, and to introduce such as may be made in other places.

2d. A committee on the Veterinary Art--To investigate the nature and origin of the diseases of domestic animals, and endeavour to ascertain the best methods of prevention and cure.

3d. A committee on Natural History, particularly Mineralogy and Entomology. To develope the mineral productions of the County, and to ascertain its geological structure, partly for the purpose of designating the kind of soil in each neighbourhood. To examine the habits of such insects as injure the crops of the farmer, with a view of discovering the means of destroying them, or preventing their ravages; and such other branches of Natural History as are interesting to the Agriculturalist.

4th. A committee on Political Economy. To attend to the political interests of Agriculture, and examine the manner in which public measures affect it. To inquire into the utility of public improvements, such as canals, bridges, and turnpike roads, and into the means of giving the Agricultural class its due weight in the government.

5th. A committee on Domestic Animals. To inquire after and introduce the best kind, to endeavour to ascertain the most economical and the best methods of rearing, managing and feeding them, together with facts on the relative advantages of the employment of horses and oxen for labour.

6th. A committee on grasses, grains and roots. To inquire after and recommend the best and most profitable kinds, the time and manner of sowing and planting, with the most proper quantity of each per acre, also the previous preparation of the ground and seed, together with the best method of culture.

7th. A committee on Manures.--To endeavour to ascertain the relative advantages of barn-yard manure, plaister, lime, burnt clay, ashes, and all other kinds of manure, with the time and manner of application of each, whether best applied on ploughed or grass lands, on the surface or ploughed in, deep or shallow; together with the best methods of accumulating and preparing barn-yard and stable manure.

8th. A committee on fruit and forest trees.--To endeavour to ascertain the best and most useful fruits of all kinds, with the best method of making wine, and cider, &c. To examine the causes of the premature decay of fruit trees, with a view to their preservation. To ascertain the best time of cutting forest trees, as it respects the durability of the wood, under ground, or exposed to the weather; also for fuel.

9th. A committee on irrigation and draining.--To ascertain the most profitable times of irrigation, with its uses. Also, the best and most effectual methods of constructing drains.

10th. A committee on Horticulture.--To ascertain the best and most approved methods of managing kitchen gardens, attend to the introduction of useful vegetables, modes of culture, &c.; and also to promote good taste in the planning and arrangement of gardens generally.

We further propose that the society recommend to each of its practical members, regularly to enter in writing, the preparation and state of the ground, at the time of sowing or planting each crop, the quantity and kind of manure and seed per acre, particulars relative to the weather, the process of culture, the times of sowing and gathering, and the amount of produce per acre, with such other particulars as may be thought worthy of notice, each part of which to be annually laid before them, in order that such facts as are deemed worthy of preservation, may be laid before the society.

Resolved, That the members of the society generally, and such others as are friendly to the objects of the association, be requested to furnish the several committees above named with such information relative to the subjects for which they are appointed as may be in their possession.

WM. DARLINGTON, _V. Prest._

ISAAC SHARPLESS, _Sec'y._

ON THE CULTURE OF TURNIPS.

Turnips for fall and winter use are generally sown in the last of July. I have been long apprehensive that this sowing was too early. The weather at this season of the year is generally very hot and very dry; and drought has a direct tendency to dwarf and spoil a field of young turnips; the black fly, also, a natural enemy of the turnip, is at this period very voracious, and the crop is too often destroyed, or rendered unprofitable from one or the other of these causes.

With a view to remedy these evils, I sowed my turnips two seasons ago, very late in August. My neighbours laughed at me, and said I would not have a single mess. I had, however, more and better turnips than any of them. Encouraged by the success, I sowed the last year, on the 25th of August, a small piece of ground, eight rods only, with turnips. They came up well, and not a fly touched them. When they had four or five leaves I directed one of my men to weed and thin them, so as to have them stand eight or ten inches apart. The ground afterwards was slightly stirred with a garden hoe. The leaves grew rapidly, covered the ground, and prevented the further growth of weeds. On the 11th of November, I pulled the turnips, trimmed and measured them, and had on the eight rods of ground, (the twentieth part of one acre only,) forty-five bushels of as large and well formed turnips as I ever saw. This produce is at the rate of nine hundred bushels to the acre. The soil is a sandy loam, in good heart, but by no means in high tilth.

I sowed two other small pieces of ground, the one on the 1st, and the other on the 8th of September. Neither of these yielded like the one sowed on the 25th August; but each of them produced much larger and better turnips, than I have seen, that were sowed at the usual time.

I attribute my success altogether to the late sowing; the heat is then less intense, the rains more frequent, the dews more copious, the fly harmless, and the crop abundant.

I would earnestly recommend to the farmers to set apart a small piece of ground, and try the experiment of late sowing, and I am confident they will be amply compensated for making the attempt, by a greater increase of crops.

[_Connecticut Courant._

(From the American Farmer.)

_On the use of Oxen and deep ploughing in New England, by Josiah Quincy, Esq._

BOSTON, Nov. 2, 1817.

_My dear Sir_,

In reply to your inquiries in your last letter I answer:--Oxen are used almost wholly for plough and team work in this quarter of the country. A single horse is usually kept by our principal farmers, to go to mill, and to church, and for the convenience of the family. Occasionally he precedes the oxen at plough, or on the road. This is so universal as to be almost without exception, among mere farmers. They certainly answer all purposes, except perhaps speed; and in this, on a long journey, they are considered as quite equal to horses. But of this our farmers have not many opportunities of comparison, oxen are so universally used. They are "worked" with yokes, and "broken" when very young, pretty much as men break horses.--Our farmers are so satisfied with their utility and economy that no argument would induce them to change.

A very good yoke of oxen will cost when well broke, and about five years old, if well matched and of good size' from 80 to 100 dollars. They continue good, without accident, and with good usage, until ten years old; then they are usually fatted, and bring from the butcher according to their size and fatness from 100 to 120 dollars.

Whether oxen are not more susceptible of _heat_ than horses, I am ignorant. My opinion is that they are. A circumstance in your climate to be ascertained in forming an opinion of their comparative utility.

With respect to "deep ploughing," a considerable change is producing in this state, in the opinion and practice of farmers in this respect. Deep ploughing begins to be more general than formerly. I should state _five_ inches to be the most approved practice, on turning up the sord for corn. With respect to deepening it for other crops, after the sord is broken, it depends upon the nature of the crop and the resources of the farmer, and also the state of his soil. My own rule is never to lay down land to grass until it has been turned up to the depth of _fourteen inches_. But my practice is peculiar, as I carry a regular succession of, 1st corn, 2d potatoes, 3d carrots, 4th grain, 5th grass, over my whole farm; considering, as I do, that _carrots_ is of all farm products the most profitable, and using them as the test of the actual state of the depth of tilth on my farm.

Undoubtedly when the depth of ploughing pass the old tilth, and enters upon the virgin soil, "manuring" must be in proportion to the depth of the virgin soil, which you turn, otherwise you sacrifice present crop to future crops;--a practice very discouraging to any farmer.

I enclose you the newspaper account of our last cattle show. A more detailed statement will appear in our Repository.

Respectfully,

I am your humble servant,

JOSIAH QUINCY.

GEO. W. JEFFRIES, ESQ.

SUGAR MAPLE.

A letter writer in the Albany Statesman, in giving an account of the New York canal, says--

"I saw for the first time the famous ascersaccharinum, or sugar maple. It grows spontaneously like all other trees of the forest, and is a most beautiful and stately tree.--It is said that each tree will produce from three to five pounds of sugar. An acre will contain 30 trees, and a tree will be fit for use in 15 years, and will probably continue so for two centuries. An orchard of ten acres would produce annually two hogsheads and a half of sugar, which can be made as good in all respects as the produce of the cane or the sweet beet. I speak from ocular observation and from taste. Mon. Le Ray, a very respectable and sensible land holder in Jefferson county, showed me at Washington Hall, in New York, a sample of maple sugar, which I have never seen excelled, and which was raised on his estates in that county; and I have been told by Mr. George Parish, a most accomplished and public spirited gentleman, from St. Lawrence county, that the inhabitants of that region not only supply themselves with maple sugar for domestic uses, but have a surplus for market. A plantation of maple trees of ten acres, beside being highly ornamental and beneficial for pasture--besides the use of the decayed trees for fuel, and the acquisition of excellent syrup and molasses, and a sufficiency of sugar, for family purposes, will yield a profit of $100 to the proprietor; and these operations are carried on in the month of March, continue but a short time, and interfere with no other business. The forests of the north and west, will supply the other parts of the state with the best of sugar and molasses through the great canals."

From Scoresby's Voyages.

SURPRISING VIGOUR OF A WHALE.

On the 25th of June, 1812, one of the harpooners belonging to the Resolution, of Whitby, under my command, struck a whale by the edge of a small floe of ice. Assistance being promptly afforded, a second boat's lines was attached to those of the _fast-boat_, in a few minutes after the harpoon was disgraced. The remainder of the boats proceeded at some distance, in the direction the fish seemed to have taken. In about a quarter of an hour the fast-boat, to my surprise, again made a signal for lines. As the ship was then within five minutes sail, we instantly steered towards the boat, with the view of affording assistance by means of a spare boat we still retained on board. Before we reached the place, however, we observed four oars displayed in signal order, which by their number, indicated a most urgent necessity for assistance. Two or three men were at the same time seen seated close by the stern, which was considerably elevated, for the purpose of keeping it down; while the bow of the boat, by the force of the line, was drawn down to the level of the sea, and the harpooner, by the friction of the line round the bollard, was enveloped in smoky obscurity. At length, when the ship was scarcely 100 yards distant, we perceived preparations for quitting the boat. The sailor's pea-jackets were cast upon the adjoining ice, the oars were thrown down, the crew leaped overboard, the bow of the boat was buried in the water, the stern rose perpendicularly and then majestically disappeared. The harpooner having caused the end of the line to be fastened to the iron ring at the boat's stern, was the means of its loss;[13] and a _tongue_ of the ice, on which was a depth of several feet of water, kept the boat, by the pressure of the line against it, at such a considerable distance, as prevented the crew from leaping upon the floe. Some of them were therefore put to the necessity of swimming for their preservation, but all of them succeeded in scrambling upon the ice, and were taken on board of the ship in a few minutes afterwards.

[13] "Giving a whale the boat," as the voluntary sacrifice of a boat
is termed, is a scheme not unfrequently practised by the fisher when
in want of line. By submitting to this risk, he expects to gain
the fish, and still has the chance of recovering his boat and its
materials. It is only practised in open ice or at fields.

I may here observe, that it is an uncommon circumstance for a fish to require more than two boats' lines in such a situation; none of our harpooners, therefore, had any scruple in leaving the fast-boat, never suspecting, after it had received the assistance of one boat with six lines or upward, that it would need any more.

Several ships being about us, there was a possibility that some person might attack and make a prize of the whale, when it had so far escaped us, that we no longer retained any hold of it; as such, we sat all the sail the ship could safely sustain, and worked through several narrow and intricate channels in the ice, in the direction I observed the fish had retreated. After a little time it was descried by the people in the boats, at a considerable distance to the eastward; a general chase immediately commenced, and within the space of an hour three harpoons were struck. We now imagined the fish was secure, but our expectations were premature. The whale resolutely pushed beneath a large floe that had been recently broken to pieces by the swell, and soon drew all the lines out of the second fast-boat; the officer of which, not being able to get any assistance, tied the end of his line to a hammock of ice, and broke it. Soon afterwards, the other two boats, still _fast_, were dragged against the broken floe, when one of the harpoons drew out. The lines of only one boat, therefore, remained fast to the fish, and this with six or eight lines out, was dragged forward into the shattered floe with astonishing force. Pieces of ice, each of which was sufficiently large to have answered the purpose of a mooring for a ship were wheeled about by the strength of the whale; and such was the tension and elasticity of the line, that whenever it slipped clear of any mass of ice, after turning it round, into the space between any two adjoining pieces, the boat and its crew flew forward through the crack, with the velocity of an arrow, and never failed to launch several feet upon the first mass of ice that it encountered.

While we scoured the sea around the broken floe with the ship, and while the ice was attempted in vain by the boats, the whale continued to press forward in an easterly direction towards the sea. At length, when 14 lines (about 1680 fathoms) were drawn from the fourth fast-boat, a slight entanglement of the line, broke it at the stem. The fish then again made its escape, taking along with it a boat and 28 lines. The united length of the lines was 6720 yards, or upwards of 3-3/4 English miles; value, with the boat, above 150_l._ sterling.

The obstruction of the sunken boat, to the progress of the fish, must have been immense; and that of the lines likewise considerable; the weight of lines alone, being 25 hundred weight.

So long as the fourth fast-boat, through the medium of its lines, retained its hold of the fish, we searched the adjoining sea with the ship in vain; but, in a short time after the line was divided, we got sight of the object of pursuit, at the distance of near two miles to the eastward of the ice and boats, in the open sea. One boat only with lines, and two empty boats, were reserved by the ship. Having, however, fortunately fine weather, and a fresh breeze of wind, we immediately gave chase under all sails; though, it must be confessed, with the insignificant force by us, the distance of the fish, and the rapidity of its flight considered, we had but very small hopes of success. At length, after pursuing it five or six miles, being at least nine miles from the place where it was struck, we came up with it, and it seemed inclined to rest after its extraordinary exertions. The two dismantled or empty boats having been furnished with two lines each, (a very inadequate supply,) they, together with the one in a good state of equipment, now made an attack upon the whale. One of the harpooners made a blunder; the fish saw the boat, took the alarm, and again fled. I now supposed it would be seen no more; nevertheless, we chased nearly a mile in the direction I imagined it had taken, and placed the boats to the best of my judgment, in the most advantageous situations. In this case we were extremely fortunate. The fish rose near one of the boats, and was immediately harpooned. In a few minutes two more harpoons entered its back, and lances were plied against it with vigour and success. Exhausted by its amazing exertions to escape, it yielded itself at length to its fate, received the piercing wounds of the lances without resistance, and finally died without a struggle. Thus terminated with success, an attack upon a whale, which exhibited the most uncommon determination to escape from its pursuers, seconded by the most amazing strength of any individual whose capture I ever witnessed. After all, it may seem surprising, that it was not a particularly large individual; the largest lamina of whalebone only measuring 9 feet six inches, while those affording 12 feet _bone_ are not uncommon.[14] The quantity of line withdrawn from the different boats engaged in the capture, was singularly great. It amounted, all together, to 10,440 yards, or nearly six English miles. Of these, 13 new lines were lost, together with the sunken boat; the harpoon connecting them to the fish having dropt out before the whale was killed.

[14] It has been frequently observed, that whales of this size are
the most active of the species; and that those of a very large
growth are, in general, captured with less trouble.

"_Fishers thrown overboard, by the jerking or sudden heeling of the Boats, in consequence of blows from Whales._--On the third of June 1811, a boat from the ship Resolution, commanded at the time by myself, put off in pursuit of a whale, and was rowed upon its back. At the moment that it was harpooned, it struck the side of the boat a violent blow with its tail, the shock of which threw the boat-steerer to some distance into the water. A repetition of the blow projected the harpooner and line-manager in a similar way, and completely drenched the part of the crew remaining in the boat, with the sprays. One of the men regained the boat, but as the fish immediately sunk, and drew the boat away from the place, his two companions in misfortune were soon left far beyond the reach of assistance. The harpooner though a practised swimmer, felt himself so brushed and enervated by a blow he had received on the chest, that he was totally incapacitated from giving the least support to his fellow sufferer. The ship being happily near, a boat which had been lowered on the first alarm, arrived to their succour, at the moment when the line-manager, who was unacquainted with the art of swimming, was on the point of sinking, to rise no more. Both the line-manager and harpooner were preserved; and the fish, after a few hours close pursuit, was subdued.

A large whale harpooned from a boat belonging to the same ship, became the subject of a general chase on the 23d of June, 1809. Being myself in the first boat which approached the fish, I struck my harpoon at arm's length, by which we fortunately evaded a blow that appeared to be aimed at the boat. Another boat then advanced, and another harpoon was struck, but not with the same result; for the stroke was immediately returned by a tremendous blow from the fishes tail. The boat was sunk by the shock; and, at the same time, whirled round with such velocity, that the boat-steerer was precipitated into the water, on the side next to the fish, and was accidentally carried down to a considerable depth by its tail. After a minute or so, he arose to the surface of the water and was taken up, along with his companions, into my boat. A similar attack was made on the next boat which came up; but the harpooner being warned of the prior conduct of the fish, used such precautions, that the blow, though equal in strength, took effect only in an inferior degree. The boat was slightly stove. The activity and skill of the lancers soon overcame this designing whale, accomplished its capture, and added its produce to the cargo of the ship. Such intentional mischief on the part of a whale, it must be observed, is an occurrence which is somewhat rare."

From a work, entitled, "A Statistical, Commercial and Political
Description of Venezuela, Trinidad, Margarita, and Tobago."

WILD HORSES AND ASSES.

There are thousands of horses which are wild in the forests, and do not belong to any one. I was enabled to ascertain a fact, known to all who have travelled in this country. The horses live there in societies, generally to the number of five or six hundred, and even one thousand: they occupy immense savannas, where it is dangerous to disturb or try to catch them. In the dry season they are sometimes obliged to go two or three leagues, and even more, to find water. They set out in regular ranks of four abreast, and thus form a procession of an extent of a quarter of a league. There are always five or six scouts, who precede the troop by about fifty paces. If they perceive a man or jaguar (the American tiger,) they neigh, and the troop stops: if avoided, they continue their march; but, if an attempt be made to pass by their squadron, they leap on the imprudent traveller, and crush him under their feet. The best way is always to avoid them, and let them continue their route: they have also a chief, who marches between the scouts and the squadron, and five or six other horses march on each side of the band,--a kind of adjutants, whose duty consists in hindering any individual from quitting the ranks. If any one attempts to straggle either from hunger or fatigue, he is bitten till he resumes his place, and the culprit obeys with his head hanging down. Three or four chiefs march as the rear guard, at five or six paces from the troop. I had often heard, at Trinidad, of this discipline among the wild horses, and confess that I could scarcely believe it, but what I have just stated is a fact which I witnessed twice on the banks of the Guaripiche, where I encamped five days, for the express purpose of seeing those organized troops pass. I have met, on the shores of the Orinoco, herds of fifty to a hundred wild oxen: a chief always marched at the head, and another at the rear.

The people of the country have assured me, that the wild asses, when they travel, observe the same discipline as the horses; but the mules, though they also live in troops, are continually fighting with each other, and it has not been observed that they have any chief. They however unite, at the appearance of a common enemy, and display still more trick and address than the horses, in avoiding the snares which are laid for catching them, and also for escaping when taken.

PREMIUMS FOR WORKMANSHIP.

_Boston, July 6._--Agreeably to custom, that useful and popular Institution, the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association, availed themselves of this Anniversary, to distribute the MEDALS and PREMIUMS offered by them for exhibitions of superior workmanship and genius.--We think the occasion happily selected, as the _Mechanic Arts_ are one of the first sources of the _Independence_ of a nation, and are free from any of the objections which are made to the undue increase of manufactures.

The Government Judges of Premiums, and Marshals, having breakfasted with their President, proceeded at an early hour to the Washington Gardens, where the examination of the articles presented, was finished, and the awards made. The President then announced, that Judges had awarded the Medal, of the value of twelve dollars, to Messrs. Fearing and Emerson, harness makers, of this town, for the best specimen of an entire Chaise Harness, silver plated, and entirely of American workmanship. The second premium of six dollars, was also awarded to these gentlemen.

That a Medal, of the value of twelve dollars, was awarded to Mr. Thomas Burdle, of Boston, for the best made six-pannelled door; and that the premium of six dollars was awarded to Henry Chulbrick, for the next best.

That a Medal, of the value of twelve dollars, was awarded to Mr. Addison Bacon, Hanover-street, for the best made pair of Chaise Wheels; and that a premium of six dollars was awarded to Mr. Oliver Ames, of Norton, for the next best.

That a Medal, of the value of eight dollars, was awarded to Wm. Jordan, (an apprentice of Mr. Daniel Adams) for the best made Ship Block, with two sheeves; and that the premium of four dollars was awarded to John B. Ingolls, (an apprentice of Messrs. Dupee and Badger) for the next best.

That a Medal, of the value of six dollars, was awarded to Peter Albern of Boston, (an apprentice of Mr. David Peeler) for the best made pair of Half Boots; and the premium of three dollars to Samuel B. Pope, (an apprentice to his father, in Quincy) for the second best made pair.

John J. Bickner, an apprentice of Attleborough, presented a Barrel, for which no premiums has been offered this year; and the government, in consequence of the expense he had incurred by the mistake, directed the Treasurer to present him with the sum of seven dollars and seventy-five cents. The medals and premiums, were now delivered.

The articles exhibited, were mostly of excellent workmanship, and it was only regretted that the specimens were not more numerous, and which we trust they will be, should the premiums be repeated.

MISCELLANY.

_From Johnson's Influence of Civil Life, Sedentary Habits and
Intellectual Refinements, or Human Health and Happiness, &c._

_Parallel of enjoyment and suffering in drink._--The water drinker glides tranquilly through life, without much exhileration or depression, and escapes many diseases to which he would otherwise be subject. The wine drinker experiences short, but vivid periods of rapture, and long intervals of gloom; he is also more subject to disease. The balance of enjoyment, then, turns decidedly in favour of the water drinker, leaving out his temporal _prosperity_ and future anticipations; and the nearer we keep to his regimen, the happier we shall be. Here, however, as is in all other things, there is a certain latitude within the range of health and happiness which the wise man and the philosopher will occasionaly travel round, but not exceed.--The _native fountain_ is in the centre, and from it our eccentric divergences should be narrowly watched and carefully limited.

_Density, weight, &c. of the earth._--From the experiment of Maskelyne, and the calculations of Hutton, Cavendish, Laplace, &c. it appears, that considering the specific gravity of water as unity, the mean density of the earth would be according to Hutton, 4.95, or according to Cavendish, 5.48. The mean most commonly adopted is 5.4. Taking this as our ground work, we may now proceed to that most singular question of _weighing_ the earth.

Assuming 7920 miles as the mean diameter of the earth, the number of cubic miles will be 239,979,311,961. Now each cubic mile contains 147,197,952,000 cubic feet; also every cubic foot of water weighs 1000 avoirdupoise ounces.

Hence a cubic mile of water will weigh 4,107,085,714 tons, and consequently a globe of water of equal dimensions with our earth would weigh 985,594,985,000,000,000,000 tons, and that multiplied by the calculated density 5.4, gives 5,322,212,919,540,000,000,000 tons for the weight of our earth.

_Fruit._--The Poughkeepsie Herald states, that Mr. Joseph Waddle, of the town of Washington, Dutchess county, has sold, at the New York market, during the last six weeks, the produce of ten apple trees for the almost incredible sum of three hundred and sixty dollars--they were of a species called Summer Russets; the quantity fifty barrels. These apples grew on ten trees, which altogether occupy less than one quarter of an acre of ground. When the apples were first gathered last fall they filled fifty-three barrels, and on being picked over this spring, preparatory to sending them to market, they were reduced to fifty barrels.

_Agricultural Anecdote._----Furius Cresinus, as mentioned by Pliny, the Roman historian, was originally a slave. Having been made a freedman, he purchased a small spot of ground, from which he obtained, through his unwearied industry, much finer crops than many of the neighbours, who had larger farms. This excited general envy, which his enemies carried to such a length as to accuse him of employing magic charms to render his own grounds fertile and to impoverish heirs. The _Edile_ caused him to be summoned to appear and answer the charge before the people of Rome. Crecinus obeyed the mandate, accompanied by his daughter, a fresh and healthy coloured girl--charms which appeared to greater advantage from the symplicity of her dress. The accused also brought with him the tools and instruments of his profession. They were in excellent condition. His mattocks were remarkably heavy, his plough was of an enormous size, and his cattle were all sound and fat. "Behold!" said this truly dignified and indignant farmer, "behold my whole magical equipage! behold the charms which I have recourse to! There are others, indeed, which I am not capable of producing before you; I mean the sweat of my brow, and incessant toils both by day and night." This native eloquence decided the matter; he was honourably acquitted by the unanimous voice of a numerous and applauding assembly.

A mechanic in the North has invented a machine for seminaries, which, by means of steam, not only warms the room, but _flogs all the boys_ "on a graduated scale," according to their offences.

_Dr. Line._--This noted Irish physician, who died of the small pox at the age of 85, built a house in a peculiar manner, so as to have the full benefit of the circulation of the air. Every window had another opposite to it, none of which he ever suffered to be shut or glazed. The room in which he slept had four open windows, two on each side of his bed. It was remarked that, for fifty years together nobody died in his house. He carried this doctrine to such an excess, as to contend that no house could be wholesome, where a dog could not get in under the door and a bird at the window. Upon his death, his son had all the windows glazed; soon after which, several persons were _buried out of the house_.

The late king of England concurred a little in this practice of Dr. Line. In the rooms where he and his family resided, he never suffered a carpet to be laid; and in the chimney places allowed but a very scanty portion of fire--barely enough to aid the circulation of the air and prevent damps.

_Internal Improvements._--In consequence of the facilities afforded by that part of the great canal which is completed, Plaster of Paris, or Gypsum, which abounds in the western parts of New York, is now selling at Utica at from $1.50 to $2.00 per ton, and it is supposed that any part of that great tract of country lying on the Hudson, may be supplied with it at from 4 to 5 dollars! Onondaga salt will be sold at Albany at from 31 to 37 cents per bushel; and a bushel of wheat, which formerly cost 44 cents to transport it to that city, will be brought there from the interiour, for the small sum of 5 cents. In truth, this canal when finished, will, seemingly, bring the most remote places, even the most distant points of the great lakes, into the neighbourhood of the port of New York.

_The Coronation of George IV._ which is to take place August, 1st, is to be conducted on the most economical scale, and is not to cost more than about $450.000!! The price of a coronation dress for a peer and peeress is estimated at about $3.600.

_Marriage Promise._--In Somerset county, New Jersey, a young lady lately received the sum of 1250 dollars damages, for a breach of promise of marriage.

_Mobile_ is becoming a place of great importance; about 10,000 bales of cotton have been shipped from this port in the present year, and 6,000 remained on hand. This shews an increase of 10,000 bales since last year; and it is calculated that at least 10,000 more will be shipped next year than in the present.

_The number of letters_ delivered daily by the post in Paris is, on an average, 32,000; of journals, 18,000. In London, the average of letters is 133,000, and journals 26,000.

_Cincinnati, June 15._--On Saturday last, in digging the well of Mr. Wright, near Harrison, in this county, near a mile from White-Water, and about 14 feet from the surface, in a bed of rounded limestone pebbles, a living frog was dug up, which in a short time, hopped away as nimbly as if he had been but a year old. There are trees contiguous, and in lower ground, more than 500 years old, which have evidently taken the places of others of equal growth; so that this frog had probably lain buried for 1000 years.

_Mean temperature of the Earth._--According to Laplace, any actual diminution of the mean temperature of the earth would be detected by a diminution of the length of the day.--It appears by computation, that one degree of Fahrenheit's thermometer would make an alteration of nearly one second in the length of a day, and four or five minutes in that of a year.

_Heat._--The effect of heat in expanding iron is strongly shown by a gate of that material in this town.--In the cool of the morning it shuts with a considerable spare space, (in the winter perhaps an 8th of an inch) in the middle of a hot day the joints touch, and some force is necessary to close it. The gate is about 3-1/2 feet wide.

[_Boston Pal._

"Let not sleep," says Pythagoras, "fall upon thy eyes, till thou hast thrice reviewed the transactions of the past day. Where have I turned aside from rectitude? What have I been doing? What have I left undone which I ought to have done? Begin thus from the first act, and proceed; in conclusion, for the ill which thou hast done, seek repentance, and gratitude for the good."

AGRICULTURAL MEMORANDA.

_To preserve Cattle from Disease in the Winter._--When cattle are kept out in the winter, it is recommended as a useful practice to rub some tar at the root of the horn, which prevents the wet from getting between the root and the skin; and it is said, contributes so preserve the health of the animal, and to keep it free from various diseases to which it may otherwise be liable.

_Rules for Milking Cows._--Cows should be milked three times a day, if fully fed, throughout the summer, and _great caution should be exercised by the persons employed, to draw the milk from them completely_, not only to encrease the quantity of produce, but to preserve its quality. Any portion which may be left in the udder, seems gradually to be absorbed into the system, and no more is formed than enough to supply what is taken away; and by the continuance of the same mode, a yet further dimunition of the secretion takes place, until at length scarcely any is produced. This last mode of milking is always practised when it is intended that a cow should be rendered dry.

_Additional quantity of Milk to be gained by keeping Milch Cows in the house._--In the management of cows, a warm stable is highly necessary; and currying them like horses, not only affords them pleasure, but makes them give their milk more freely. They ought always to be kept clean, laid dry, and have plenty of good sweet water to drink. Cows treated in this manner, have given ten gallons of milk at a time, when within ten days of calving.

_To prevent Cows from contracting bad habits while milking._--Cows should be always treated with great gentleness, and soothed by mild usage, especially when young and ticklish, or when the paps are tender, in which case the udder ought to be fomented with warm water before milking, and touched with the greatest gentleness, otherwise the cow will be in danger of contracting bad habits, becoming stubborn and unruly, and retaining her milk ever after. A cow never lets down her milk pleasantly to the person she dreads or dislikes. The udder and paps, should always be washed with clean water before milking; but care should be taken that none of that water be admitted into the milking pail.

Sir George M'Kenzie has discovered that oil rubbed upon the stems and branches of fruit trees destroys insects, and increases the fruit buds. Mr. John Linning, has added to the discovery, by using it successfully upon the stems of carnations, to guard them against the depredations of the earwig. The coarsest oil will suit, and only a small quantity is required.

_To prevent smut in wheat._--Take four quarts of good lye, or a sufficient quantity to wet your seed, and add to it a bushel of wheat, stirring till the whole is alike wet, then sow it immediately, as the strong lye will injure the seed if delayed. The lye may be as strong as you can bare to sow without injury to the hand. A little tallow applied to the hand will prevent injury from the lye. I have continued this practice 12 years out of 20; and have never known it to fail of success. I have frequently made use of smutty wheat for seed, and found my crops perfectly free from smut. Much depends on having the lye sufficiently strong to take off the fuz on wheat.

JOSIAH BENJAMIN.

Berlin, April 26, 1820.

_For preserving Eggs._--In March, put about half a pound of quick lime in a stone or earthen pot, and add a gallon of cold water;--next day fill the pot with new eggs, tie a paper over it and put the pot in a cool place. The eggs will be found perfectly good after being kept a year.

It is quite necessary to keep lime in the walks of your hens, as it causes their laying eggs throughout the winter.

FOR THE RURAL MAGAZINE.

EXTRACTED FROM THE MANUSCRIPT COLLECTIONS OF C. E.

The following piece was handed about in manuscript, about the year 1776, and I do not know that it has been ever printed till now. It was said to be the production of the Rev. THOMAS COOMBE, a native Pennsylvanian, and about that time a clergyman of the Episcopal Church, in this city. C. E.

A HYMN TO RESIGNATION.

Oh! from that high and holy sphere,
Where, thron'd in light, you dwell,
Sweet maid, in all thy charms descend
To gild my humble cell.

Thy presence heightens every bliss,
Draws out the sting of wo,
Allures to brighter worlds above,
And makes a heaven below.

The pilgrim, roving all night long,
Through dreary tracts forlorn,
Oft sighs, oppress'd, and sighs again,
The wish'd return of morn.

As I in sorrow's gloomy night,
Condemn'd awhile to stray,
Look up with ardent eye to heav'n,
And ask the devious way,

O! screen me from surrounding ills,
Let dangers ne'er annoy,
The arrow that in darkness flies,
Commissioned to destroy.

Inconstant as the idle wind,
That sports with every flow'r,
When earthly friends by turns drop off,
Friends of our brighter hour;

Do thou, mild cherub, fill my breast,
With all that's good and wise,
Snatch me from earth's tumultuous scenes,
And lead me to the skies.

There kindred spirits ne'er deceive;
Soul mingles there with soul;
Sweet Sympathy and Truth are there,
And Love cements the whole.

More welcome to this sorrowing heart,
Oh, pensive queen, thy strain,
Than all the joys mad Riot gives
To sooth the clamorous train.

You shade the poor man's evening walk
With wreaths of endless green,
And, when the lamp of life declines,
You tend the last dread scene.

Oh! then from heaven, thy holy sphere,
Where, thron'd in light you dwell,
Come, Resignation, sainted maid,
And gild my humble cell.

TO THE EDITORS OF THE RURAL MAGAZINE.

The following little poem was written by JOHN BYRON, a minor English poet, who died at Manchester, in the year 1763, aged 72. In his 23d year, he wrote the beautiful pastoral of Colin and Phebe, on which his poetick reputation is principally founded. It appeared in the eighth volume of the Spectator; and many of your readers will remember, what has been so generally known and admired.

My time, O ye Muses, was happily spent,
When Phebe went with me wherever I went;
Ten thousand sweet pleasures I felt in my breast:
Sure never fond shepherd like Colin was blest! &c.

The subjoined extract, it is believed, is not so familiar; and for that reason, as you must doubtless wish to exclude from your poetick corner whatever is trite and common-place, whether _professedly_ original, or selected from old or distant writers, it is hoped, though a small matter, it will not prove altogether unacceptable. I.

THE BEAU AND THE BEDLAMITE.

A patient in Bedlam, that did pretty well,
Was permitted sometimes to go out of his cell;
One day, when they gave him that freedom, he spy'd
A beauish young spark with a sword by his side;
With a huge silver hilt, and a scabbard of steel,
That swung at due length from his hip to his heel.

When he saw him advance on the gallery ground,
The Bedlamite ran, and survey'd him all round;
While a waiter supprest the young captain's alarm,
With, "You need not to fear, sir, he'll do you no harm."
At the last he broke out--"Aye, a very fine show!
May I ask him one question?"--"What's that?" said the beau?

"Pray what is that long, dangling, cumbersome thing,
That you seem to be ty'd to with riband and string?"
"Why, that is my sword."--"And what is it to do?"
"Kill my enemies, master, by running them through."
"Kill your enemies! Kill a fool's head of your own;
They'll die of themselves, if you'll let them alone."

(From the London Literary Gazette, April 22.)

SILENT WORSHIP.

Though glorious, O God! must thy temple have been,
On the day of its first dedication,
When the Cherubim's wings, widely waving, were seen
On high, o'er the ark's holy station.

When even the chosen of Levi, though skill'd
To minister, standing before Thee,
Retir'd from the cloud which the temple then fill'd,
And thy glory made Israel adore Thee:

Though awfully grand was thy Majesty then;
Yet the worship thy gospel discloses,
Less splendid in pomp to the vision of men,
Far surpasses the ritual of Moses.

And by whom was the ritual for ever repeal'd?
But by Him, unto whom it was given
To enter the Oracle, where is reveal'd,
Not the cloud but the brightness of Heaven.

Who, having once enter'd, hath shown us the way,
O Lord! how to worship before Thee;
Not with shadowy forms of that earlier day;
But in _spirit_ and _truth_ to adore Thee!

This, this is the worship the Saviour made known,
When she, of Samaria, found him
By the patriarch's well, sitting weary, alone,
With the stillness of noon-tide around him.

How sublime, yet how simple the homage he taught
To her, who inquir'd by that fountain,
If JEHOVAH at Solyma's shrine would be sought?
Or ador'd on Samaria's mountain.

Woman, believe me, the hour is near,
When he, if ye rightly would hail him,
Will neither be worship'd _exclusively_ here,
Nor yet at the altar of Salem.

For God is a Spirit! and they, who aright
Would perform the pure worship he loveth,
In the heart's holy temple will seek, with delight,
That Spirit the Father approveth.

And many that prophecy's truth can declare,
Whose bosoms have livingly known it;
Whom God hath instructed to worship him
there,
And convinc'd that his mercy will own it.

The temple that Solomon built to his name,
Now lives but in history's story;
Extinguish'd long since, is its altar's bright
flame,
And vanish'd each glimpse of its glory.

But the Christian, made wise by a wisdom divine,
Though all human fabrics may falter,
Still finds in his heart a far holier shrine,
Where the fire burns unquench'd on the altar!

(From the Illinois Gazette.)

"What's the news," said a Quidnunc to Paddy M'Shane,
"Of our _foreign relations_--and what about Spain?"
"Our _foreign relations_," cried Pat, with a tear,
"Och! they're hanging them up by the dozen, my dear!"
p?

O.

STATE OF THE THERMOMETER.

9 o'clock. 12 o'clock. 3 o'clock.
June 26, -- -- 76
27, 72 74 76
28, 75 78 80
29, 76 81 85
30, 82 87 90
July 1, 85 89 90
3, 78 81 84
4, 77 80 83
5, 81 85 88
6, 82 87 90
7, 82 86 85
8, 79 81 81
10, 77 81 82
11, 78 81 84
12, 78 81 85
13, 81 86 89
14, 83 78 76
15, 74 76 78
17, 74 78 78
18, 77 80 82
19, 78 81 85
20, 79 81 81
21, 79 77 76
22, 73 75 76
24, 71 73 76
25, 74 -- --

BANK NOTE EXCHANGE,

AT PHILADELPHIA--_July 27th, 1820_.

Per cent Disc't.
U. S. BRANCH BANK NOTES, 1/2

RHODE ISLAND--generally, 1

CONNECTICUT--generally, 2

MASSACHUSETTS--Boston, 1
Country generally, 4-6

NEW YORK--City Bank Notes, par.
Country generally, 2-3

NEW JERSEY--generally, par.
Patterson Bank and Sussex
Bank, 1

PENNSYLVANIA---Farmer's Bank, of }
Lancaster; Easton; Delaware }
County, at Chester; }
Chester County, at Westchester; } par.
Farmer's Bank, }
Buck's County; Montgomery }
County, }
New Hope, 1
Northampton; Susquehanna }
Bridge Company; York } 2-3
Bank, Chambersburg, }
Northumberland; Union, 20
Greensburg; Brownsville, 12-1/2
Centre, 20
Meadville, 50
Farmers & Mechanics' Bank } 40
at Pittsburg, }

DELAWARE--generally, par.
Commercial Bank of Delaware; }
Branch of ditto at } 5
Milford, }
Laurel Bank, 50

MARYLAND--Baltimore Banks, 1/2
Baltimore City Bank, 5
Annapolis; Hagerstown, 2-1/2
Snowhill, Elkton, 37-1/2-50
Havre de Grace, 1-1/2

VIRGINIA--Richmond and Branches, 1-1/2
Country generally, 2-1/2
N. W. Bank, at Wheeling, 12-1/2

COLUMBIA DISTRICT--Mech. Bank } 5
of Alexandria, }
Country generally, 1

NORTH CAROLINA--State Bank at } 6-1/2
Raleigh, and Branches, }
Cape Fear; Newbern, 7

SOUTH CAROLINA--State Banks, generally, 3

GEORGIA--State Banks, generally, 6
Augusta Bridge Company, 50

TENNESSEE--No sales.

KENTUCKY--No sales.

OHIO--Marietta, 15-20
Steubenville Bank, 15
Bank of Chillicothe, 5
Country generally, 20-50

PRICES CURRENT.--_July 27, 1820._

Per D. C. D. C.

Beef, Philad. Mess, (pl.) _bbl._ 13.00_to_ 13.50
Butter, Fresh _lb._ 0.18 " 0.25
Beans, (scarce) _bush._ 1.30 " 1.40
Cotton Yarn, No. 10, _lb._ 0.36
Cotton, (Louisiana) " 0.18 " 0.21
Flax, Clean, (scarce) " 0.18 " 0.19
Flaxseed, Clean, _hhd._ 11.00
Firewood, Hickory, _cord_, 5.50 " 6.00
Oak, " 3.50
Flour--Wheat, super. _bbl._ 4.62 " 4.75
Rye, " 2.75 " 2.87
Corn Meal, sales " 3.00
Grain--Wheat, _bush._ 0.85 " 0.90
Rye, " 0.50 " 0.60
Corn, Pa. do. " 0.50 " 0.55
Barley,
Oats, " 0.33 " 0.37
Hams--Jersey, _lb._ 0.11 " 0.13
Hemp, Kentucky, _ton_, 150.00 160.00
Leather--Sole, _lb._ 0.24 " 0.30
Upper, undrs'd. _side_, 2.75 " 3.50
Molasses, _gall._ 0.50 " 0.55
Nails, Cut, all sizes, _lb._ 0.07 " 0.12-1/2
Pork, Jersey & Penn. } _bbl._ 15.50
Mess, }
Plaster of Paris, _ton_, 4.37
Shingles--Cedar, _1000_ 25.00 " 27.00
Cypress, " 5.00
Seed, Clover, out of season.
Wool--Merino, Clean, _lb._ 0.75
Do. in Grease, " 0.40
Common, " 0.50

RAIN GUAGE AT PHILADELPHIA.

In. hun.
July 14, -- Rain, -- 1. 55
17, -- Shower, -- 0. 13
19, -- do. -- 0. 09
21, -- do. -- 0. 16
" -- do. -- 0. 70
22, -- Rain, -- 1. 16

_References to the Cut of the Brewing Machine, omitted in last Number._

A Moveable Fire-Place.

B Cylindrical Boiler, to be placed on A.

C Cover for B.

D Extracting Cylinder, with a small one in its centre, fixed to the perfora, to be placed within B.

F F Coolers, one to pack within the other.

G Machine ready for use, the cover raised to show the internal.

In page 252, at the words _some time_, put a comma, instead of a period; and add, "after its temperature is sufficiently lowered, which must be effected by damping or extinguishing the fire."

* * * * *

ERRATA.--Page 252, note, for sachorometer, r. saccharometer. P. 253, 1st column, line 25, for fomenting r. fermenting.

PHILADELPHIA,

PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY

RICHARDS & CALEB JOHNSON,

_No. 31, Market Street_,

At $3.00 per annum.

* * * * *

GRIGGS & DICKINSON, _Printers_--_Whitehall_.