Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-09-11

Of sowing. large portion Of seed might
be saved.
STEERING SEEDs.--Considera has
been said. during the past year, OF .
mode Of sleeping seeds, introduced by
air. Campbell, Of Scotland. Mr.. Colman
introduces one or two letters from Mr..
Campbell, 10 reference 10 this subject
The sleeps he employs. are saiphate,
nitrate, and muriate OF Ammonia, niirates
Of soda and potass, and combinations OF
these. One experiment gwen, Is W sub.
stance, the following. Some esrta was
dug up @ feet below tho surface, which
was totally destitute Of organic matter
II was sown with seeds which had been
soaked in these solutions, and produced
plants with or s stems each, while plants
from the unprepared seeds produced no
more than three stems each. They had
not reached maturity when this statement
was given, and OF course, the relative
yield Of grain could moi be- told.
SPADE HusBASDRy.-This mode OF
cultivation seems to be extending itself in
Great Britain, and under the cheapness
of hand labor which there prevails, is
found fully remunerating. The principle
is the same as that Of subsoil blowing
The best tool for the work, is a three
pronged fork, Ia inches deep, and u
ioches wide. This works easier than a
spade, and pulyerizes the ground better.
Though, as Mr.. Colman observes, spade
husbandry cannot be generally introduced
into the United States with advantage,
yet he says there are some cases ia which
it might be found profitable, such as on
farms where the poor are kept. In Eng
land. no farm is ever connected with a
pauper esta blishment, and some caution
is there used, lest those establishments be
found too comfortable and attractive. Mr..
Colnan cites the example Of man in
New. England, who from only seven acres
of land, sells annually 81, 500 worth Of
produce.
CONDITION OF LABoRERs. MIR. Col
man says 81, is with England question
o(tremenduous importance, what IL to be-
come ofthe vast accumulati,ns Of people,
which are continually increasing here at
the rate Of from seven hundred to thou.
sand per day. The subject, it
appears to me, and perhaps wholly from
my being unaccusiomed to condition of
things in any degree resembling it, is dai
ly assuming fearful aspect; | do not
mean Of danger to the government, for the
government seems never to have been
stronger, but fearful in It's bearings upon
the public peace. the public morals, the
security Of property" Mr.. C. does not
pretend to offer remedy for this state of
things, but seems to think the allotment
system the best which has ye, been dew.
sed, as it is at all events, capable of i'm
proving, to some extent, the laborer's
condition.
PROGRESS OF AGRICULTURE. Under
this head, Mr.. CoIman gives an interesting
description OF the great improvements
which have been made and are still gong
forward in England, BY means Of drain
ing, irrigation, &c. or the lice stock he
speaks IN the highest terms, but does not
go minutely into this subject, intending to
take itup by itself hereafter. Hespeaks not
of the cattle shows. but as they are seen
every Monday in the Smihheld market,
and q. the other smaller markets and
fairs in various parts of the Kingdom. He
Says-"here are cattle and sheep OF sew.
raj distinct breeds, and all of remarkable
excellence of their kind; do not say per.
feet, for that, in almost all cases, would be
assuming too much by leaving very little
TO be desired beyond what has been attain
ed. Their condition and form, their sym
me,ry. their fairness, are admirable; and
each breed is seen retaining its distinct
properties and what is most remarkable,
showing how much can be done by human
art and skill, in improving the animal
form and condition, and bringing it 10 a
desired model"
APPLICATION OF STEAM TO AGRICUL-
ruRE. The application OF steam to the
pillow, so far as Mr.. Colman has heard, has
not been attended with much success.
Steam engines are extensively used ia
some sections, Cor threshing grain. 10 the
Lothians of Scotland, it is said that the
use Of steam power for this and other pur.
poses, saves one quarter OF the horse pow
or required on the farm. A very impor-
tant item, as the keeping OF horse teams
is the greatest single source OF expense 10
the British farmer. A six horse steam
power. usually thresbes from 80 to 40
bushels OF grain per hour. Mr.. c. suggests
that in the prairie districts Of our western
country, wherever coal can be had steam
power might be advantageously used for
many farm purposes.
A very important use OF steam power
in Britain, is the conveying OF live stock
to market by means of STEAMBOATS, and
railroads. Cattle are brought in immense
numbers 10 Smithfieid market by these
conveyances, without loss of condition
sometimes the distance of seven hundred
miles. Mr.. C. thinks no parties have sui-
fered injury from railroads. Contrary
as i, may be to all theories, the farmer
Rear market isnot injured, though the dis
tant one is largely benefited.
TuE INCREASE OF AGRICULTURAL Pro.
DUCTS 10 Britain, is shown 10 very stri-
king light. The average importation Of
wheat into u nolapd from 1901 IN 1910