davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-09-24

Failure of Fruit Crops.

The very great complaints in the interior
of the State Of decline in almost all the old
established and most productive kinds of fruit,
demands more attention than it has thus far
received. Large sections of the interior of
the State Of New York and of Pennsylvania,
that used to be celebrated for their peaches,
now are hardly ever able To raise a crop
The farmers all complain that the seasons
seem too short for them to ripcn. and that if
not plucked green, they rot on the trees
The frost kills the buds in spring, or insects
or disease destroy the trees. This year there
has been tolerable supply of plums in the
upper parts of our own State. but for several
seasons past till now, this has not been the
case. The apple trees, too, are, many Of
them, bearing worse and worse annually
True, old trees are dying out. and the fruit
of young ones is thought to be inferior in
quality. Insects multiply upon and spoil
them. Such is the trouble. What are the
causes? The gun and shot belt of the boys
is doubtless one cause of the multiplication
of insects But there is something far back
of this 1t il weak and rotten state of the
fruit itself which most encourages and fosters
the mischevous insects. And this weakness
and rottenness is what must mainly be
sought out rs to its causes, and cured If We
would cure the evil
When fruit trees were first planted in this
State. it was in virgin soil In Nor,hum-
berland county, DR.. Priestly, and afterwards
his son more extensively imported some OF
the finest varieties of English fruits, especial
ly the apple. And these not only prospcred,
but produced new and finer varieties. Most
of the very best orchards in the surrounding
counties were trees of the Priestly raising
Some Of these continue TO bear to this day
very finely, where the ground affords them
sufficient nourishment. But where the soil
is exhausted, so are the trees. We saw an
orchard not long since where about half the
trees were on rich soil, and the other on
rocky, barren land, but slightly covered
The trees were planted at the same time in
all, but in one case they were still vigorously
beuring, and in the other hardly an apple
could be raised.
It's probably the want of sufficient nourisb-
ment Of the right kind, which lies at the
basis of most of the much complained Of
failures in the fruit crops Phil. Ledger.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-09-24
Senator Douglas Loses his Temper.

1t is well recognized truism that public
DICTATOR abandons his position when he loses
temper in controversy and resorts to per-
sonal invective instead of argument. 1t will
be seen by referring to another column that
such has been the ease with Senator Douglas.
The observations" Of Judge Black upon the
Douglas article in llarpcr's Magazine, have
aroused the uncomfortable ire of the Senator,
and he lnrgrts that if his own positions are
correct, Judge Blacks observations must
be easy OF RECITATION. lie does not attempt
refutation, but ut once launches out into abuse,
yituperation and malignant inyectivc against
the motives of the author. lie charges Judge
Black with seeking to destroy the Demo-
cratic party" that he knew he uttered false
hood; that he prostitutes u high office to de-
ceive the American people" Whoever the
author of that reply was, he was o base
caumniator." "lIe knew it was tissue Of
falsehoods from beginning to the end. =
1t was talsehood, and the writer knew it to
be such" 1.-The author of that pamphlet
asserts a double talschood." 'lnsidious
talschoods put forth wilfully and with bad
intent" Here is the answer of Senator,
and candi late for the Presidency, to a
calm review of his doctrines upon what he
deems vital question to the people of this
country Falsehood, double falsehood. pro-
stitution of high office calumniation and
insidious falschood, are the arguments upon
which Judge Douglas now relies to con-
vince the country of the truth of his
views and Of the responsibility Of his claims
for the Presidency of the United Statesl-
Whilst he could write his opinions and pub
liSh them at will; whilst he could stump the
Western States and disseminate his doctrines,
and have no one u answer, gainsay or dis
pute him. all was summer and sunshine
But challenge him to discussion meet him
with argument, and you are denounced by
him As base calumniator--'. a liar y
This is the popular sovereignty of shoulder
striker llHusyirdnidn
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-09-24
Douglas Stock in Virginia.

Douglas stock for the Presidency is rap
idly rising in Virginia. We have convincing
evidence of the fact on every hand. Dem
ocratic journals, that 4 few weeks or moons
ago, were unsparing in their denunciations
of Douglas rs renegade" and n TRAITOR
to the South, are now busily engaged III ex.
cusing and apolcgizing for his delinquencies,
and will soon, no doubt, be openly and boldly
defending all his manifold heresies. What
is the cause of the sudden and astounding
change. which has come over the spirit OF
these mems dreams, in reference to the treach
erous and "extoliating" Illinois Senator
Is the position Of Douglas on the vital and
paramount question of Southern rights sound
Grand better ao,c, than twas a few weeks or q
few months back, when the entire Democrat
ic press of Virginia united in pouring ex-
ecrations upon his head, for his abandon
ment of the South and his utilization with the
Black Republicans? Has he, during that
time, changed his ground in a single particu-
lar or in the slightest degree? Does he not
stand now where he has stood for the last
twelve months! Is he not as dangerous an
enemy to the South, and as odious to the hon
est and intelligent people of the South, nor,
as he has been since these Virginia Demo-
cratic papers first commenced their coarse
and ferocious assaults upon him? Why then,
we repeat, this sudden change of front on
the part of these self-samc Virginia Demo
cratic journals? We leave these plain but
pregnant questions to be answered by the
rank and file Democracy Of Virginia at their
leisure, feeling well assured that they can
never answer them in accordance with the
hopes and wishes Of their self-styled and un-
scrupulous leaders! For, every day that
passes over our heads, We hear Democrats
in this city and from every part of the State
solemnly declare that they will not vote for
Stephen A. Douglas for the Presidency, under
any circumstances. And themen whom we
have heard thus declare, are persons of indie
pendence and trae metal, and will not sub
nit to be driven to the self qualification and
degradation Of voting for Douglas, to please
the reckless politicians of the party. with
whom love of spoils is the sole animatins
motive and principle. And of this fact, it
would be we'll for these Virginia Democratic
politicians to take notc in due time.-Rich.
WAiy.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-09-24
Walking on Water.

On Saturday afternoon, Mr.. lIicock per-
formed his promised feat of walking on wa
ter in the presence of about score Of wit
ncsses. The river Don, near Don Station
was the scene OF this unriyalled exploit a
Of the Press, with Mr.. Goodenough, procee-
dcl 10 the appointed spot where Mr.. llicock
was waiting. having come in boat through
the Bay. He was accompanied 10y another
person in the boat As the few spectators
who had been invited 10 witness the preliml-
nary trial approached the river, they saw
Mr.. lIicock stalking away upon the water,
his companion resting quietly in the boat ut
distance. lie walked distance Of two or
three hundred yards with complete success
when the spectators of whom the number
had been increased by the knowledge OF
what was going on obtaining circulation at
the station. being satisfied with the success
of the operation, desired him To desist. lie
walks on water shoes, as the Indians do on
snow -shueS. and did not sink in more than
six or seven inches. The watersheds which
he used are the first ever made, and rs the
idea of walking on water did not strike him
till fortnight ago, lac had but little time to
practice lie showed no difficulty, however,
in keeping his equilibrium. sometimes with
wand, and sometimes with nothing in his
hand; he set astride the boat occasionally, his
watersheds hanging over the sides. This
fact is clearly established; walking on the
water is possible The art is in its infancy;
and who shall say to what perfection it may
be brought p Toronto Globc
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-09-24
Letter from Fairfax.

Corrcspond,ace Of tie 1terandria Gazette.
FAIRFAX CT. House, Sept. %, lS59.-As
the Gazette reaches US tri-weekly. and al
WAYS brings the news from abroad to our
Village of Providence" and is received with
pleasure and satisfaction, what say you to
letting the people know something of the
d ,ings around this little Burg" For old
FAIRFAX has arisen from the lethargy which
so long cnveloped her ancient borders and
claims that the County seat should not be
forgotten.
Our Village has its interesting associa-
tons and recollections; and from the Clerks
Office and Court House, many pleasing
Renaissance could be gathered-for some
of Iirginia's noblest sons have bequeathed
legacies, which HERE ALONE can be found
Our Village, too, is improving. Men OF
means and enterprise are beginning TO make
desert places bright aud attractive. The
surrounding country is steadily increasing
in value, and enterprise is exhibited IN every
department of business, and our enterPri-
sing farmers and mechanics look to your
city as the place where their produce and
labor should find market. Your merchants
see this, and begin to court their favors.
Last Monday was our regular monthly
Court. Little business of interest was trans
acted. Outdoors the general topics were
the Equinoctial storm and the shortness OF
the Corn crop. regret to learn that much
damage was done by the storm. Several
sales we're nade-the most important, n
tract of land, belonging to Hugh McGinnis,
containing 80 acres, was sold by IL. W..
Thomas, Commissioner, tor $500, to Judge
Gill. of New Jersey. Also, the property
known as the Virginia Hotel" sold by the
heirs Of the late VIM. Allison, of Richmond,
and purchased by Mr.. Robert Allison, of
this place, for 5000 and regarded by all as
a safe and .iudicious purchase.
On Tuesday next, our place Will be emil
vened by Tournament which "imuSe-
ment' seems to he the fashion of the day.
\ pleasant time is anticipated. 5. |. Stuart,
esq, will deliver the charge to the knights,
and j. L. Williams, esq, of Brentsville, Will
address them. Those having it in charge
are making extensive preparations, and, no
doubt, many young heart throbs with anti.
cipation that the crown of ''loveand beauty
will rest upon her brow. At night, the en-.
terprisins proprietor of the Union Hotel
gives the Ball, and if the past be any guar
antee fer the future, nobly will he acquit
himself in aifurding pleasure to all who favor
him on that occasion. H.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-09-24
Teiepranhic Dispatches.

EAsroy. Sept. 22-The Lehigk Valley
railroad has been INSTRUCTED by several slides,
and the tresscl work ut Allentown Is endan-
sered SO that the trains cannot pass. The
East Pennsylvania road has been injured,
and the embankment washed away ut Will
mington.
PHILADELPHIA. Sept. o2,-There are con-
siderable frcshetS on the Delaware and Schuyl-
kill rivers, and Two men have been drowned,
having been washed over the dam ut Fair
mount. No serious damage has been re-
ported.
CnlcAcu, Sept. 2l.-'rhe schooner Cyrus
went ashore in the storm on Monday night.
near Racine. with cargo OF wheat. She
lost one of her crew. The schooner Reso-
Lutte, with cargo OF wheat, went ashore on
the same night, near Milwaukee. The schoo-
ner Island Queen, with q cargo of wheat,
is reported to have been wrecked near Point
Wabble Shanks. All the cargocs were in
sured.
The schooner Croker, which arrived here
to-day, suffered severely, losing overheard
80 barrels of salt The captain was severely
injured.
NEW York, Sept. 22-1he bark llcla A.
the Falkland Islands.
New ORLEANS, Sept. 2l.-Erncst Tulcdane,
who shot Dr. Robert NJ. Graham, on Monday
night, has been acquitted, the verdict of the
coroner's jury recognizing the act to have
been committed in self-deience.
PHILADELPHIA. Sept. 22.-ln the U. 5.
Circuit Court to-day, Judge Grier granted
an injunction in favor of the New York Wire
Railing Company, against Messrs. Walker
4 Sons, of Pennsylvania, to restrain the
latter from selling their patent wire railing
fence beyond the limits of Eastern Pennsyl-
vania.
MONTREAL, Sept. 22.-The international
Cricket Match Excursion train has Just ar
rived. The tickets from Boston, and return,
to the cricket match, are five dollars each.
Trains are continually bringing persons
from all parts OF Canada and the United
States. The match will commence to-mor.
row.
NORFOLK, Sept. Ozark James L. Davis
arrived to-day in Hampton Roads, in thirty
five days from Santez, Brazil with coffee,
waiting orders. There are no American YES
sells at Santez. Themarkets were advancing,
as the crops were short
ST. LOUIS, Sept. 2l.-Joseph W. Thornton,
who shot dead in the street Mr.. JOS. Charles,
an estimable citizen, on the Sd of June last,
was convicted of murder in the first degree,
to-day.
New ORLEANS, Sept 22.-'rhe amonnt OF
treasure en- route for New York, which left
San Francisco on the 9th inst, is over >,
100000.
BosroN, Sept. 2l.-A northeast rain-storm
commenced this morning, and is quite severe
this evening. with strong gales.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-09-24
Tuscany and Victor Emanuel.

TURIN, August 5.-The King received the
Tuscan deputation to-day, at ! clock, +. NJ.
Signor Gherandina, member of the Com
mission, addressed the King in the following
words:
If the wish Of Tuscany for annexation
with Piedmont. only served tor the aggran-
dizement of your Majesty's State, we should
entertain doubts rs to the acceptance OF our
wish By your Majesty. But our wish being
inspired by the love Of Italian nationality,
we hope that the thought Of Italy will decide
your Majesty to accept il.
His Majesty, the King Victor Emanuel
..GESrLExES: am deeply sensible Of the
wish of the Tuscan Assembly. thank
YOU in my name, and in the name of my
people. We have received your wish as a
solemn manifestation of the will of the Tus-
can people, who. having made the last YES
tige of the foreign dominion IN Tuscany to
cease, desires to contribute to the constitu-
ton Of strong kingdom. which shall de-
fend the Independence OF Italy, But the
Tuscan Assembly will have comprehended
that the accomplishment of its wish can only
take place by negotiations which are about
TO BEGIN on the affairs of Italy. will Sc
cond Your desire, becoming myself strong by
the rights which are given me by your wishes.
will support the cause Of Tuscany before
the Powers in which the Assembly places its
hopes. and especially before the masnnni-
NOUS Emperor of the French, who has done
so much for the Italian nation. hope that
Europe will not refuse to practice towards
Tuscany that work Of redresslng grlev-
ances which it has, under less favorable cir
cumstances, practiscd toward Greece, Belg'-
um, and the Dauublan Principalities. Your
noble country gives an admirable example
of moderation and concord. You will add
those virtues to that one, which insures the
triumph of oil honest undertakings, and
which overcomes all obstacles-namely, per-
severance"
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-09-24
The Italian HOSPITALS and the War.

The medical report Of the hospitals in
l;aly has just appeared, i'll Paris, and IS very
interesting. There were no less than IS 900
wounded, including Austrians and Pied
m0ntese, admitted into these establishments.
The proportional quantity of dangerous
wounds was exceedingly great. The surge
ons Of the republic found onl y one in five or
six, but now one out of every two assumes
that character Ii is accounted for by shape
Of balls. which is now cylindro-conic. They
traverse the air with immense rapidity, en-
ter the flesh with great force, and break the
bones; whereas the old spherical ball turned
to the right or left; sometimes merely gra-
zing the skull or the ribs, which now seldom
occurs. OF ch!orpform the advantages are
spoken Of in the highest terms. Not only
has it caused insensibility during operations
but it has soothed the dying moments OF
those who were irrecoycrable from the ma
ture of their wounds. The new dlsinfecting
agent has been found of the utmost service.
Applied to the most diseased surfaces it has
checked putresccnce, and given healthy
character in short time to the worst OF
wounds. Carbonized lint has been intro
duced also with great success as dislnfect-
ing agent, preventing the trtil odor that IS
so disgusting in military hospitals. Alto
gerher it seems that modern civilization has
rendered the field of battle more dangerous
than formerly, but supplied it with means
of alienation.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-09-24

After the late heavy rains, aportion OF the
brick wall of the NJ. Z. Church, in Woodstock.
fell down, and fears are entertained by some
that the damage is serious, 50 much SO rs
render the building unsafe.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-09-24

The latest attempt at counterfeiting has
manifested itself in the manufacture ofbogus
Chiriqui images. They are made Of heavy
composition metal, electroplated, and have
the rough unfinished exterior and all the
rude characteristics Of the originals.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-09-24

MEERscnArA PrrEs.--The Phladrlpbi,
North American says rs you smoke n.
bacco it distils an essential oi!-acrid an,
offensive to n degree. Upon the inside II
proclaim or common clay pipe, the oil cry,t,,
Lies and the pipe soon becomes pungrnt-
The meerschaum on the contrary. i, highly
porous and absorls the oil of tobacco, thnu,i
in manner that We cannot explain H..
new pipe AT first becomes straw colorri m
the outside shade which ieepens until i
becomes as black rs ebony. The more oil =
tobacco it absorbs, and consequently ,ba
blacker 1t becomes, the more rAuuisi,elv
does the tobacco taste. After the pipe !,
once saturated with the oil, it Absorb. ~
more, and the pipe is always sweet" ami
never acquires the rank and offensive oi,r
peculiar 10 other pipes.
This is the sole merit of the mecrschaum
that it is perfectly neat and nearly nodor.
Gus. What we cannot account for is this.
Though the pi peis perfectly white when new
and must. of course, be first colored ON The
inside, yet, though il becomes colured exter
nally till of jetty blackness. you will lind, on
breaking it, that the inside the pipe is Der.
fectly white. Another peculiarly OF The
meerschaum is that, when heated, you NAV
perforatc it with pin and that when cold
the mark made by the pin is no longer yisi.
able.
AS some of our readers may be interested
in meerschaum smoking. ] few directions a,
TO the mode of coloring the pipes NAV no,
come amiss. lmprimis, then, if smoker
pulls away at his newly purchased twenty
dollar meerschaum, a. he would at common
clay one, the odds are that he will caIcne
the inside of the bowl, and thus prevent i,
from coloring ever afterwards. In this case
the stem, if it be also meerschaum, will be.
come black as jet, while the bowl will be
dirty yellow.
Ii must at first be smoked carefully and
slowly, not being permitted 10 become TO
hot to be held in the hand: while the exulting
possessor of the article will remember that
when heated, the least touch will scratch its
surface. The best plan is to take it to
glorer's and have piece o! buckshin sowei
closely around the bowl until the celoring
process is accomplished.
With these precautions the genuine meers.
chaum is colored in about years time to
the desired blackness. The process. hOwey-
er, may be facilitated this We give asa
piece Of our own private internationally
saturating piece OF sponge in pertumed
sweet oil, inserting it in the bottom Of the
bowl of the pipe, ust reaching above the
bore, and placing button mould over 1t to
separate the tobacco and protect the sponge
from burning. The oil assists the process
of absorption and carries with it the oil Of
tobacco through the pores. If otto Of Roses
be used with sweet oil, it will impreguate
the pipe with an enduring perfume that will
render it especially delightful to the smoker,
however abhorrent it may be to those who
eschew smoking and smokers.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-09-24

A large tobacco house on the plantation OF
Mrs. Grace III. Claggett, near Upper Mari
borough, Prince George county, Md. was en-
tirely demolished during the storm on Satur-
day night. 1t was filled ut the time, but the
tobacco was taken from the ruins without be
ing seriously damaged.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-09-24

The bridge across Cedar Creek, on the Val
ley Turnpike, about three miles below stras-
burg at Col. D. Stickley's mill. was injured
by the food occasioned by the late rains.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-09-24

Advces at the War Department from old
Point Comfort represent the health OF the
Secretary Of War to be improving under the
influences of the fresh air and sea'baths OF
that favored locality.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-09-24

a SENSATION Is THE llousE on Cosno>a
The London Court Journal says:
"The Hon. Mr.. L. il just now creating
extraordinary sensation in the House Of Com
mons, by the somewhat exceptionable nature
of his costume. No one can now doubt The
moral courage of the honorable member
should he. in the fullness Of time, become
the first Lord of the Admiralty, a he no"
wears a white hat, crimson neckcloth, yelIo"
waistcoat, purple inexpressiblcs, red socks
and lemon .colOred kids"
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-09-24

The Virginia planters state that the tobac-
co crop now standing has been almost entire
" exempt from the ravages of the horn
worm. and unless an early frost shall hasten
the cuttings. an average yield OF the line
grades will be produced.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-09-24

The Virginia Annual Conference of the
NJ. E. Church, South, will hold its session
in Lynchhurg, On the 10Th Of November
next Bishop John Early will preside.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-09-24

The Buffalo Courier says that the New
York Central Railroad has the capacity to
forward thirty thousand barrels of -four per
dow
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-09-24

We see that Col. u. w Harris. OF Knox
Vile, Tenn, author Of the "Sut Lovengood
sketches. has been appointed conductor on
the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-09-24

Col. Joseph Bragg, for many years Presl-
dent of the Branch of the Bank Of Virginia,
at Petersburg, has rendered his resignation
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-09-24

So far, the diplomacy of the Administra-
ton does not appear to have succeeded IN e.
fecting any thing in Mexico.