Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1824-01-20

81 uStoiSf anu u pIo1ul4bS llOSc i3duO
alter The latest aud most improved mo-
deis. In the use oil this implement it
may think be laid down as a general
rule, that deep ploughlng Is most advan-
tageous-not indeed for one OF the rea-
sons given IN old countries, to wit, the
necessity of turning up the earth to a
considerable d pth 10 form new soil
Tor our soil as yet may be said TO be all
new-but because experience has pro-
we'd that deep ploughed lard reslsts
drought much better than that ploughed
but lly-whllst IN very wet sea-
sons, II ahsor5s more readily, the super
abundant moisture, and prevents the top
OF the earth from being washed away.
Allusion is here had to the first plough
ings of land Ii is not pretended that
Tor alter cultivation, deep plouBhng is
SO essential.
Great improvements have been lately
made not only on the plough, but in al.
most all the other implements used in
| tarmlng-with a view 10 economist both
time and money-amongst The principal
| oil these may be numbered the grain
thrasher, invented by Mr.. Goodsel, and
the patent right now owned BY thai spi-
| rited and distinguished agriculturalst,
| Mr.. Swartout Of New-York. | have the
| pleasure to inform the Society that one
| OF these machines has recently been I'M
ported 10 this country by our worthy
Vice President, Col. Q Falion; on VIII e
FARM, ! ka
| examined. This machine is said by the
power OF one horse and with the assist
ance Of man and a boy, to thrash out
from 90 to 80 bushels Of grain IN a day.
The great saving OF labor IN this tedious
and troublesome operation is therefore
manifest to every one, and must ult-
mstely afford an additional inducem ent
10 the farmers TO augment their crops
OF small grain. 1t can also be used to
advantage as flaXbresker with little
additional expense. Whenever these
Improvements are within our reach, it is
as well our duty as our interest to avail
ourselves of them-ior he who devotes
his time and means TO the invention or
Improvement of the necessary imple-
ments OF industry ought to be rewarded
by the sale OF the articles thus improved
or invented.
Secoadiy-The subject Of enclosures
is one of the creates, importance 10 the
.ef"ero oi Missouri. Many very vaiu-
able portions of our country many Of
our richest plains and prairIes, are not
only destitute of the timber but also OF
the stone, necessary for their enclosure.
Indeed candor obllgos Us to admit that
there IS gre II scarcity Of timber in the
state generally. If then there is neither
the timber nor stone necessary for ienc-
ing, with what are the farmers to enclose
their fields in those sections OF our conn-
Try ln,l mentioned! VIII they resort to
1--we fencing, or make brick The latter
will perhaps he found in all new coun-
tries TO be too expensive; whilst the for
mer will require degree OF skill, not 10
be met with except very rarely in this
country. Besides, it may well be doubt
ed whether the system OF live fencing
will either suit the laws or soil of our
country. The very cause of their ex-
cellence and high estimation in other
countries, to vii, their durability and
permanently, may be urged as The strong
est objection against them in new coun-
tries where the farms are not yet form
ed and where real estate is SO often
changing owners. Dead fences in
greater or less degree, are always sus-
ceptible of being moved, either to aug
ment or diminish fields, to suit The views
oi the present occupant; whereas, on
he contrary, live fences or hedges can
mol. Connected also with this method
OF enc 'osure, is that of dtching. Such
Is the iriabiitv of our soil and Its want Of
tenac,ty; that 1t IS much doubted, whe-
Their diching can be practlsed with any
lasting or good effect. Hence the sub
Ject OF enclosures may well be urged on
The consideration of our farmers as one
OF the most serious moment. | would
here beg leave TO recommend to the
members to collect all the information
IN their power on this subject, and COM
mnnicaie it at some future meeting of
the society not forgetting any expert
men's OF turf fencing tina, may have fall
en- within their knowledge.
Whilst on this branch of my subject,
| will take the Liberty of calling the at
tention of the members, 10 the great
waste of timber that is generally com.
united throughout the western country.
/, especially behoves every lsnd-holder
in Missouri to be attentive to this sub
ject; and particularly those whose lands
are now clothed with plenty of timber;
for they are the persons most likely from
that cause to run into this error. Let us