The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1847-10-18
From the Charleston Mercury.l
FROM CONSTA NTINOPLE.


We have been favored with the perusal OF letter
from Constantinople, written by gentleman VINO
had frequent opportunities of conversation with Dr.
Davis. II will be recollected that DR.. d. left this
State al the instance of the Turkish Government,
with view of testing the pnctcabiliy OF success
fully raising cotton in that country. Presumlng mat
il would be of interest 10 our readers we nave has-
w thrown together the following particulars oil the
progress he has made in his important undertaking.
He found that but little cotton was planted ana
that was sown broadcast as we do Wheat ana not
cultivated Except by pulling out the grass anu weeds
The only plough used in Turkey is log, elevated at
one end on two wooden wheels and large iron at
the lower extremity, and the shovel sometimes in
deed mostly, wooden This plough is of TWO sizes
one without wheels drawn by two oxen, and the
other by twelve oxen With this the soil is prepared
for the cotton and wheat which is then sown, and
nothing more is done till harvesting gathering,
The wheat is cut with grass-scythes, and raked up,
and there trodden out with horses on the ground,
and cleaned by throwing II up in the wind and
ground In common corn mill without any sppara-
ton of the different portions of the grain The cot
ton is pulled bols and ALL and cleaned by an insrll-
mcnt something like bow with two strings, but II
not sold used for any purpose but cande-wicks
After making the proper inquiries the seasons,
luDlts O lllc KEPT Dy the
Mr.. Dwight missionary, the character and capacity
Of the people, Dr. Davis selected body of land near
San Stephnno for model farm; not that it was the
best suited for cotton, but because it was near the
Sutan's Cotton Factory, and convenient for his in
spection He proposed here to grow cotton, and al
other productions suited to- the climate; acclimate
such as are not; introduce machines mills &c; esa-
blish dairy of improved cattle raise improved hor-
SEES Sheep &c; the whole to be worked by laborers
selected from various portions OF the Turkish domin-
ions who were to be sent back 10 their homes after
one years service, and others brought in their stead
Dr. Davis was also 10 take higher grade OF educated
young men, whom he would teach the theory and
sciences connected with Agriculture, prepare some
for translating Agricultural works into the Turkish
language, making contributions, and editing news
papers, &c The Sultan was highly pleased with the
plan, gave II his prompt approval, and gave Dr. Da-
Wis carte blanche for everything necessary carry
out his plans; that the necessary seeds and animals
should be Immediately imported the farm residence
buildings, &c. to be constructed under his directions
and these are now completed on very extensive
scale. The Doctor Immediately sci about making
poughs, shovels, gears instructing the workmen
breaking the horses, &c In these efforts he me-
many obstacles, and with difficulty got the ground
which rather stiff and covered with grass, ir
proper order for cotton He, however, commence
planting on the 22d OF April and finished the 18th o.
May. w.,
This has been colder year than usual in the spring
and much more rain. Usually they have no rair
from the 18th Of May until the LIST of September
This year there were several little showers The cot
ton came up badly; indeed, the first importation o
seed was damaged, and with the exception of abon
five acres, none Of it came up; when the second 10
arrived, he re-planted. This all came up we'll grew
well, bloomed well, and is now full of bos, and h,
thinks the hundred acres planted promise TO ma X
one hundred bales OF three hundred weight each
There was no frost ill January last year, and th
is usually the case. The cotton was planted i've fee
in the rows, and eighteen inches apart, on leve
with the ground, anticipating the effects of dry wea
Their. The cotton planters from America, who hay
been here, pronounce the crop equal to that grow
on any of our American soils, and the Doctor think
better than Carolina crops. The Carolina negro,
think ii bears heavier than at home, and the Doc
is sure of it, He sent, some days ago, grown DC
Of cotton to the Sultan, with some blooms an
squares, with which he was greatly delighted; an
he is to receive this august parsonage on the farm
soon as he thinks the plants near enough perfection
The weed is now about three feet and a half hg
but having four more months to grow, he is at 10:
TO conjecture TO wha, size il may attain.
Some Indian corn was also planted, five by thre
which looks very fine. The Turks have for a loI
time grown Indian corn, but have sown IL broa
cast, and gave il no cultivation The result is pia
about three feet high, and grain that would hard
be recognised. The people are delighted with Il
one horse common plough, and with the stragh
and beauty Of the cotton culture as well as Il
Indian corn. .'. 3d..
The Doctor has ten young mcn-five Turks 70,
Armenians, and one Greek, whom he instructs
English, Geology, Chemistry, Natural Philosoph
&C. who are to be assistants in his school hcreaite
He is compiling lectures on these and all subec
connected with agriculture particularly, as well
generally which he isarranging alphabetically, to
published in Turkish, as a dictionary or book of r.
ference. -..
1t will be gratifying to their numerous friends
state that DR.. Davis and his family are in fine healt
The Doctor speaks in warm terms Of the kindnc
of the Sultan and is sanguinc of the success of Il
projects he has in charge