Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1823-06-07
AGRICULTURAL.


parts of our own continent. The family
is largeone, containing several species
but of those the field pea alone comes
within the scope of our present purpose.
OF this there arc two varieties, denoml-
mated from their color, the grey and the
green bolh-are productive, and when Sc
parated from the skin That surrounds
them, a food of excellent quality for
man; wholesome, nutritivc, and plea
SAINT and for cattle, whether in dry or
green state, much to be recommended.
Sheep, cows, and horses are particularly
fond ofthem; and hogs are more prompt
ly ana economically fattened on mis-
ture OF pea and harley meal, in state OF
scetous fermentation, than by any other
food.
The structure OF the roots would indi-
cate, that peas are an extausling crop
and it is on this evidence, that they are
admitted in Europe only in long or six
years rotations; but if we examine the
leaves in regard to both number and
form, we will probably find reason to mo-
dIfy this opinion, and allow, that by stl
fling weeds, by checking evaporation,
and eventually by their own fall, they
meiiorate the sail, and render it more
favorable TO subsequent crops
Following turnips, the preparatory la
Dor for pea crop is not great One, OF
at most two ploughings, will be sufficient.
Sowing, as a general rule, ought to fol-
low ploughing, without loss OF time and
care should be taken, that the seed be
not laid too deeply. The two methods,
row, and broad cast sowing, may be IN
differently pursued. BY the former the
seed is economsed, the product Dcreas
ed, and the soil better titled; but not as
some have supposed with such decided
advantage as to outweigh the saving, III
time and labor ofthe latter.
The length and !cebleness Of the stem
ofpeas, and the little tendrils they throw
our for support, indicate the advantage
ct mixing with them other plants OF more
erect growth, which may prevent the
peas from falling and lodging. For
this purpose rye, oats and beans have
been selected, and with great advantage,
The crop is employed, either in dry
or grass state between which, every far
mer will select, according 10 circum>
stances. Ii the market for peas be
brisk and high, he will in harvest, thresh
and sell the grain if, on the other hand,
peas are low and pork high, he will turn
III bis hogs upon them, and with the fol-
lowing advantages. LIST, the hogs feed
and fatten themselves, without any add
tional interposi;ion oil his labor: Cd, no
particle Of their manure is lost; 81, the
debris of the crop refused by the hogs,
is given back TO the soil; and 4th, the
roofing OF these animals, which in other
cases is an injury, is in this benefit.
ALBANY .ArguS.
DR.. Adam Clarke's accoQnt Of an .4gri-
cultural experiment.
On Jane 10Th, 1876, planted three
grains OF common red wheat, in what
might be called good but not rich ground
al Mill-brook, in Ecceston, Lancashire.
They sprouted well, and.produced seve
raj side shoots; and on the oath of Au-
gust took up the three grains, and d.
vided the shoots, which amounted to
$50: but in transplantng, found had
room for only 1876 plants without going
to different soil. On Oct. 18th took
up all The survivors Of the 1875 plants,
snbdivided and replanted them in a
more open place, and found that the pro-
duce was 65s perfect wheat plants. ]
threw aside what might be called the
produce of half grain, and ascertained
that at this second subdivision and trans
planting two grains of whoa. had yielded
574 distinct plants, or 287 plants from
one grain!
On March 24lh and e5th, 1917, l
took up the above plants, which had in
general stood the winter very we'll a
few plants only having died and few
been killed with the frost. AS they had
in the course OF the preceding October,
and in the beginning Of the spring, put
forth several side shoots, again divided
them, and found that one of the grains.
that is 287 plants, had multiplied itself
into GIG! These planted in rows, in a
field along side of other wheat sown in
the common way, setting the plants four
inches asundcr, and about ten inches be-
tween the rows. The first week in April
there came severe frost four or five
nights, and one third at least of the
plants were killed. Finding that my