The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-09-27

believe hazard nothing in asserting that 1t is
now growing more luxuriantly on our soil, than
on the one that gave it birth, and that South
Carolina rice, on account of its superior quality,
commands the very highest price in foreign
markets. 1t is the staple article of a section Of
country, which is comparatively valueless for
any other species of agricultural productions !;
being principally raised on swampy grounds,
naturally subject to inundation. Its, moreover,
confined to few localities, and limited in guam
tity, though constituting very valuable crop.
Heretofore, rice has only been raised in South
ern attitudes; but within few years,-since
the, territory of Minnesota has been thrown
omen 10 settlers,--it has been ascertained that
the innumerable small lakes and swamps, which
dot the man Of that section of the country, upon
the head waters of the Mississippi, contains a
luxuriant and spontaneous growth OF wild rice,
which is we'll adapted to culinary purposes. Is
it not then subject worthy of investigation,
whether this new species of rice, a native of the
North, and accustomed to a Northern climate,
NAV not be produced in the swamps and marshes
which now disfgure our best agricultural re-.
pions. and remain source of disease and death
to their inhabitants? merely throw out
these hints to direct your attention to the sub.
iect not knowing whether others may not have
preceded me. leave it to your better knowl.
edge, and to your practical qualifications as far
mers, to make the necessary experiments: be-
lieveing that in agriculture, as in other sciences
and occupations, experience alone is the proper
test Of all discoveries and improvements.
| have, within the last year, procured con-
siderable quantity of the seeds of this rice from
the Patent Office at Washington, and distributed
them among those whom tho ught likely to
make experiments in different parts OF the
country but sufficient time has not yet elapsed
to ascertain the result. Were it not for the
British system of labor, South Carolina and
Georgia rice would have continued to be ex-
ported in large quantities But the system by
which England has, of late years, favored the
agricultural products of her East India pro-
yinces. to the detriment anu ruin of her West
India colonies, has also, for time at least, ex-
ercised discouraging influence on the rice
growers Of America. 1t is subject of congrat-
ulation, therefore, to know that, more recently,
rice has found ready home market, at such
remunerating prices, as promise to that branch
of agriculture long period of prosperity and
success.
Hemp has long been and still continues to
be a very considerable item in our foreign i'm
pors The government itself has, from is
foundation, been large importer of hemp for
naval purposes, in addition to what has been in
troduced, on private account, principally for the
use of our commercial marine. The importa-
tons commenced when little or no hemp was
produced in this country, and have been con-
tinued, under the impression that American
hemp was not equal to that of Russia for the
manufacture of cordage. II has long since been
ascertained, however, that our soil and climate
are we'll adapted to the growth of hemp, and
that we can produce il cheap and in abundance.
Il is now believed that the hemp grown in Ken
tucky Missouri, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and
perhaps other States of the Union, is fully equal
to the Russian in strength and in texture and that
our countrymen have discovered a process OF
rottnp, by which il can be rendered equal, il not
superior, to that of Russia, for all purposes to
which the latter has been applied in this coun.
try. The fact renders the culture of hemp well
worth the attention of American agricultural.
lists. A people now only second, and designed
soon to be the first commercial and maritime ma.
ton in the world, ought to bestow a special care
on all products necessary to the success of its
commercial and naval enterprise. The capacity
of our soil for the production of hemp, is un-
limited while our immense foreign, coastwise,
and internal navigation, insure to it an ample
and increasing home market.
would fain say few words on the culture
of mulberries, in connection with the raising oil
the silk worm and the manufacture Of silk.
am aware that the experiments heretofore made
have usually proved unsuccessful; but the en-.
terprise resembled more mercantile specula.
ton than fair triil by practical men. ] am 10th
10 believe that within the wide range Of our
Northern and Southern ATTITUDES there should
not be spot favorable 10 the cultivation Of the
ilk.worm. Silk-worms, and the peculiar spe.
cies of mulberry on which they live. were first
introduced into Asia Minor from China and
the experiment having succeeded in Greece, In
Turkey, in France, in Italy, in Spain, and in Por-
tupal, is il not reasonable 10 suppose that they
would also thrive in many portions Of our own
country, If the attention and care were bestowed
upon them which are the conditions Of their
GROWTH Experiments have lately been made
in South Carolina IN the cultivation Of the Chi.
ne e teal plant, and IL the accounts have seen
are 10 be relied upon, have entirely succeeded.
Why then should not silk, an article much less
delicate than tea, and W ich has already succeed
ed in so many different chimes, be susceptible
also of profitable cultivation in the United
States A large portion Of our imports from
Europe. consists e manufactured silks, and II
we could succeed in domesticating that species
Of industry, degree Of stability would be i'm
part..d TO our foreign commercial policy, which
would serve 10 prevent the confounding Of po-
litical economy with partizan politics.
NY remarks on The subject Of silk. arply, per-
haps, with equal force 10 the cultivation Of the
vine. The vine is a native Of Asia. but has at
tanned ts highest perfection in Europe and Af
RIGA. While there is scarcely a species Of Asi.
attic wine known to commerce, some OF the
highest priced Wines produced IN Eurore, are
manufactured from vineyards IN latitude 40 deg
a-d so min. Carefully tending and manuring,
and the treatment Of the wine in the cask and
IN the cellar, seems 10 have done everything
We have 8 many varieties Of the grape as any
part Of the old world, indigenous to our own
country. and growing luxuriently wild in wood
aud prnifie. The greater part OF them. how
ever. remain stil uncultlvated, without The least
value being attached 10 them by our farmers
Yet strange to say, almost every experiment
which has been made it'll orr indigenous
grape. has succeeded. Good wines. 'ar superior
in quality 10 the ordinary hooks and clarcts I'm.
ported into this country, are now made from pure
Indigenous grape, In many portions Of Pennsyl.
yanja Ohio keutueky Indiana Illinois Mis-.