The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-04-21
MISCELLANEOUS.
From the chersw Is. CT oarstts


From the chersw Is CT 0sIstts.
Agricultural Letter from General Washington.
We are indebted to the kindness OF an old friend for
the following valuable Observation-Disclosures not only be-
cause of the revered from which emanates but
because il affords many excellent lessons from an able
and practical farmer II is, too, strongly characteristic OF
the American hero We here the exercise in private
life of that attention to detail, that inHexble devotion
order and discipline. which eminently marked the
public character of Washington No one can read this
letter without seeing at once that the writer
dustrious sound pracicGl farmer. He whose indoma-
BILE energy had given freedom to the world did not esteem
the most minute details OF agriculture unworthy his at
tenton.
1t will probably surprise the reader to find General
Washington insisting upon the of harrows and cult
vators in the culture OF his This have been &C
customed to plume ourselves upon as much more
The letter, directed 10 his overseers taken from the
manuscript copy in Washngtons own handwriting and,
Is we are informed now appears IN PRINT ior the hrsl
time:
GENrLEMEN: II being indispensaby necessary that
should have some person at Mount vernon through
whom can communicate my orders, who will that
those orders executed Or # not obeyed, who will in
form me why they are mott who will receive the weekly
.S DC
to any individual overseer. have sent my nephew, Mr.
Howell Lewis, (who lives with hee,) to attend to
o" Ssss Yon | das
gard to such directions you may receive from him,
considering them - coming Immediately from myself:
But that you may nave general knowledge OF what
expect from you, shall convey the following view
which have OF the business committed your charge,
appears to mo- and direct you to govern yourself by
il, persuaded nothing inconsistent herewith will
be ordered BY Mr. Lewis without authority from Inc TO
depart from it,
ist Although is almost needless to remark that the
ground at the farm you overlook ought to be kept
clean and well ploughed yet, because not only the good
ness OF that crop depends upon such management, but
also the wheat crop which to succeed IT, cannot for
very strong terms.
3D. The wheat to be got into the barns into stacks
il be done with any sort OF convenience,
that it may not Especially wheat which is subject to
injury by bad weather) sustain loss in shocks; and be-
cause the shattered grain in fields may be beneficial to
the stock but no hogs are to be put subbe fields in
which grass seeds last fall winter or spring
other stock, however, may be turned on them, it is
roofing that would be pniudicial.
Sd. The whole swamp, from the road from Manley's
bridge up 10 the lane leading to the barn. is to be
got into the best and most complete order for sowing
grass seeds in August or, at the furthes by the middle
of September The lowest and wettest part thereof is
be with timothy seed alone All the other parts of
il to be with timothy and clover seeds mixed
The swamp the other side of the aforesaid lane (now
in and oats is TO be kept in the best possible order
that the part not already with grass seeds may
ceive them this autumn las the be taken
OF with safety or in the spring, as circumstances shall
dictate.
No exertons pains to be spared at Dogue
get the swamp from Manleys bridge up to the meadow
above, and the two enclosures in the mill swamp in the
highest order for grass, to be in the time and
above mentioned but that may be attempt
or them as Weather happe
to be; for this must be consulted as dry weather will
work in the low parts best whilst the higher
grounds may be worked at any time:
LIST. Begin with the swamp from Maneys bridge, and
get all that is not already grass well prepared for it,
and indeed sown. Cd That part of the low meadow
the and within the fences. 3d. After this is done,
take that part of enclosure above (Which in last
year) lying between the ditch and fence No |, up and
down to cross fences 4th. Then 60 the ditch and
prepare slpe after spe the ditch from the
fence the other and continue to do this long
as the season will be good or the seed can be sown with
conceive that the only way to get these grounds in
good order and with expedition give them one good
ploughng and then to tear them to pieces with heavy
harrows Whether it be necessary down and take
off the weeds previous to these workings be decided
better by experiments the spot than by reasoning it
at distance My desire is that the ground shall be made
perfectly clean, and laid down smooth, without which
meadows will always be foul, much grass left in them,
and many scyhes broken in cutting what is taken off
4th. The buckwheat which has been for manure
ought 10 be pOughed in the moment suciency of seed
is ripe TO stock the ground second time; otherwise, SO
iaI from it's answering the purpose OF manure will be-
longing to the farm unable to it in tme those
OF Muddy hole, Dogue run, and Union farm must
bne 10 do it. the work TO be repaid by the farm which
receives the benefit the work is accomplished
thereat
5th. Where clover and timothy seeds are mixed and
s0wn together allow five pnts of the first and three of
the latter to the acre and where timothy only is sown
allow four quarts the Let The seed be measured
in the proportions here allotted, and put half bushe
and the half bushe hlled with sand dry EARTH and ex
tremely well mixed together in your presence, or by
yourself which will answer two good purposes viz lst
toprevent theft, for seeds thus mixed would sell and
2dly the scotsman being accustomed TO bushel OF
wheat to the acre. would be at no loss to bushel
of this or anything else regularly that quantity OF
ground.
9Th II is expected you will begin to sow wheat early
in August, and in ground perfectly clean and well plough
ed would have, and do accordingly direct, that not
less than FIVE pecks OF seed be on each acre The
plan OF the farm which you look is given to Mr.
Lewis, from which the contents of each field may be
known And it is my express direction that every watch
and the best attention may be given that this guam
ty actually is put in for have strong suspicious (bu
this ought not 10 be limited them) that the seedsmen
help themselves TO pretty large toll
7th. As soon as you have done sowing, and even be-
fore, it can be done conveniently, you heart
lily about hreshing or treadng the wheat and fast
il got out to have it delivered at the mill or elsewhere
according to directions The longer this business is de-
ayed, the waste and embezzlenent will there be Of
the crop The wheat is to be well cleaned the chat and
light wheat be properly taken of for the horses
other stock and the straw stacked and secured
ought to be against weather and other INJURIES and
til the whole be delivered it will require your constant
and close attention.
9Th. The at the farm you overlook are, presume,
all cut In that case. let all scyhes, and cradles, and
rakes which you have received be delivered over the
mansion house, or if you choose to keep them against
next harvest you must be responsible for them yourself
9th: The presumption also is, that the flax this
pulled. Let it be well secured, and proper season
stripped of its seed and spread to rot During this ope
ration let 1t be often turned and examined that be
overdone or receive injury in any other respect by lying
out too long.
10Th Get the ceanest and best wheat for seed, and
- fFnoA I L