Farmers' gazette, and Cheraw advertiser. (Cheraw, S.C.) 1839-1843, April 07, 1841, Page 82, Image 2
82
IMWW?W. mi. IXJJL UU 'M * XLJLtXd.
sorbing moisture from the atmosphere,
has been the generally received opinion;
but then a difliculty arose from the fact
that gypsum is not a very absorbent sub.
stance. To make it so, Dr. Joseph Cloud
of Chester County, Pa., has undertaken !
, to account for its action in this way, by j
supposing that a decomposition and double
elective attraction takes place before it can ,
exert this influence on plants.
"It is a well established fact," says he, j
"that the action of sulphuric acid on vegetable
ami animal matter will cement
them into sugar; the sap of all vegetables
is probably saccharine, and it is in this
state that disorganized matter is rendered
most conducive to the promotion-of vegetation.
It is also well known that decomposing
vegetable and animal matter,
operated on by the atmosphere, will pro.
duce nitric acid, and we have thus the
means of decomposing the sulphate of!
Jime, inasmuch as axolate of lime w iil be j
formed, and the sulphuric acid set free to '
perforin the beneficial effects that have j
been mentioned."
J f ???'1 submission to (lie ;
^ lift UUj/ I I ((ilu - learniog
and ingenuity of Dr. Cloud, we !
o ? J
are in candor compelled to say that we
cannot receive this explanation as being f
satisfactory. Inthejirst place it is found I
ed on the postulation, that the principal
action of plaster is that of absorbing mois- I
tnre from the atmosphere; secondly, upon
the equally false premises, that plaster !
acts best in dry seasons; and thirdly, the ]
reasoning is not supported by analogical
facts.
Plaster has a slight attraction for moisture;
but not much greater than quicklime
and many other substances. In j
proof of his assumption the Dr. adduces
the fact that "vegetables which have been !
plastered arc more wet with dew in the i
n.r.rninfr than the sam? species adjoining j
o
which have not been plastered." We
think tliis is the natural consequence of
an increased growth of vegetation; and
the density of the substance on which the
dew is made more manifest to the senses.
A pine board and a flat stone, placed si le j
by side, shall each receive the same quan-;
tity of falling dew, yet the stone shall j
shew double tiie quantity that will be per- i
ceived on the board. Secondly, that j
plaster acts'but in dry seasons is directly ;
the reverse of fact. This error comes in
as a matter of course to prop up the first. .
The last season was here remarkably
wet; yet all the experiments of the writer
with piaster were successful and highly J
gratifying. Piaster cannot be dissolved i
in less than 500 time its weight of water, j
A bu>hel is the common quantity applied
to ail acre, and this by weight is about j
106 lbs., to dissolve which would require i
-53,000 lbs to a square rod, which would j
oe about 41 gallons, and this quantity;
does not fall during the period of vegeta- j
tkm in a wet season. Thirdly?If the j
theory wc have under consideration were j
correet, the soils richest in vegetable and
aniui ti matter, would shew the effects of;
plaster most sensibly, and those soils pos- 1
sessing neither could not in the least he
benefitted by if; Now this does uot ac**
1 n%i !
cord with tact and experience, ineyi
arc sterile soils which show the effects of ;
plaster most sensibly.
We hold that a decomposition of plaster
before il enters the pi-ant, is no more ne-;
cossary to its growth than a decomposi-)
tion of sugar is necessary to the growth !
of an animal before it enters the stomach. |
True, plants have not stomachs ; hut they {
have functions adapted to the preparation !
of their food, ami the power of elahora- t
ting their juices for the promotion cf their
growth.
.To pursueour remarks further under
this head, would perhaps he improper;)
but we may recur to the subject again '
when we come to speak of the rotation
of crops.
Tnere i3 anotber description of manure
that cannot be considered as belonging
to either of the kinds we have
enumerated?This is Compost. It is not
1 L . .I L' ? . 1
nv siorm inai me lurnier niusi e.\j?;i;i iu :
attain his object in the improvement of
his land ; but by patient industry and
close economy.?By constant a tention '
to small savings be will find, at the end '
of the year, that they amount to no in- j
considerable sum.
Every farm should have a pit near the ;
kitchen, about four feet deep, varying in
size according to the resources of the farmer.
In loose soils the bottom should be
lined with clay, to prevent the loss of
fluids which may be thrown therein.
The sides may be laid up with logs hi icks
or ston^, according to fancy. Over a
part of this may he erected a necessary
with two compartments,one for the whites
the other for the blacks ; and the remaining
part covered with a good roof to present
rain from failing into it. The gable
end next the kitchen may be left open
for the admission of leaves, straw chaff,
and any coarse vegetable materials that
may serve as a sponge to retain the liquids
that may be thrown therein. Into ti id '
are to be thrown all the suJs and refuse
of the kitchen, sweepings of the house
and yard, ashes, garbage offish and such
animals as may be killed upon the farm ;
in short every thing in the shape or substance
of manurt ?A barrel of lime
should be placed near that some may b*
sprinkled over it occasionally, to correct
any unpleasant smell, as might otherwise
endanger the health of the family. In
this way an excellent compost may be
formed, enough to cover several acres annually.
Having some doubts as to the advan-J
tage of hauling materials together, for
the purpose of making compost heaps in
the open air, as is practised by some, we
shall not recommend it; for it appears to
us a loss of lubor and materials.' We
thiiik such materials as would make a vat
uable compost in the open air might as
well bo applied to the soil at once, where
the grasses evolved might bo absorbed by
the soil.
We have now arrived at the last division
of our subject,
On a Rota/inn of Crops.
In regard to the advantage to he derived
from a rotation of crops, there are two
theories. The first Js, that thedifibrent
kinJs of plants require and receive from
the eaith different kinds of food for their
support?that hy continuing the same
kind of crop for a number of years, the sod
becomes exhausted of the peculiar nutriment
adapted to the growth of that particular
plant, while it retains other valuable
properties suited to the production of
other plants. The other theory is? that
by the different construction of the roots
of plants, some bind the soil, and leave it
hard, while others leave it light and friable
?that soine plants draw their support
more from the soil, others more from the
atmosphere.
Each theory h~s arguments and advocates
in its favour; but as the same conc
unions foil wing?the propriety of a rotation
of crops?little injury will ensue in
adopting the wrong theory. For our part
we think truth lies between the two ; and
it may not he amiss to bestow a few remarks
on ifie physiology of plants, to il1
isfrate our opinion.
In support of the first, or theory for &
specific nutriment, may be adduced the
fact that f ix will not grow perfectly
twice oil tliesame giound in two consecutive
years?that in forest lands covered
with a growth of any pa - icular species ol
timber, which may he cut otf or destroyed
by Are th".same species rarely succeeds.
(This is known to be the case with the American
fi , (pious canadensis.) which is
commonly siicoe dad by beech, (fagus.)
or birch, (Setula,) or both. If there be
any other arguments in support of the first
theory, they are unknown to the writer ;
and we think too much stress has been
j laid on these.
We think the weight of evidence is in
support of the other flvory. That some
plants derive their support mostly from
the soil, while others receive it more from
the atmosphere, is a fact acknowledged by
all physiologists. Corn is one of the former
kind, clover of the latter. That
plants have but little choice, and receive
whatever is presented to their absorbent
radiciesmay be easily proved by experiment.
We use salt for the destruction of
the Canada Thistle, (cricus avensis) and
other troublesome weeds. Asparagus is
not injured by salt in moderate quantities ;
hence we use salt for the destruction of
weeds an ! grass on hods of that excellent
vegetable.
We observed that plants have not the
power of choosing such things as may be
present in the soil in which they grow,
that inay he salutary, and of refusing others
that are pernicious. A fine thrifty
locust tree, planted by the writer, grew
1 " 1 J -I -
ana uotinsuea ten years, wucn n was uvst
roved by a thoughtless boy, who poured
brine near its roots. A willow planted
near his spring-house, g-ew finely about
the same lonnih of time, and was then
C *
killed bv soaking salt lish in the water
m O
near its roots.
That plants do not derive a specific
nutriment frojn the soil may be inferred
from the consideration, that all soils are
composed of a few elementary principles;
and that I he virtue* and qualities of plants
are almost endiess : that plants of opposite
characters grow in the same soil side by
side ; that mint, sorrel and onion will grow
in moss, if they receive a due supply of
water, cich possessing its peculiar property.
Were it otherwise, plants would possess
an intelligence beyond ffcat possessed
by animals ; the absorbents of which will
take up the lriosi deadly poison as readily
as the most salutary food.
It is probable that the great diversity
in the sensible qualities of vegetables is
more owing to the structure of the plant
and its power of' receiving, communicating
and elaborating certain parts of the atmos
phere. than from any particular food it
receives from the earth.
Having said thus much on lite physiology
of plants. wc proceed to some general
rem*; ks on a rotation of crops, and the
advantages to he derived from such a systern
of husbandry.
In our division of the farm we recommended
that the arable land should be divided
into at least six fields; because by
having this number the farmer will be enaided
to be keep his land longer in grass;
and it must be borne in mind at the same
time that our object is to improve the, soil,
and not to make money from it until we
shall have accomplished that desirable ohjeet.
We commence with field No. 1, which
we will suppose is in clover, and has been
pastured ttie last year. This field is to
have fifty bushels of lime, recently slacked.
and while it is in a fine powder, spread upon
it, from August to December, the earlier
the better. After laying all winter,
and after putting on all the manure you
have to spare from the barn yard. Arc., it
is to be ploughed in March or April, by
turning the sod fairlv under. It is then
- *
to be bajrowed the same way it was
ploughed, so as not to disturb the sod.
Lay it off in rows four feet six inches
wide. Plant w hat is called drill corn to
be worked all one way, three feet apart.
First having put a gill of lime and plaster
(gypsum) in each hill,* three-fourths hme,
one-fourth gypsum. Leave two stalks
to each h.ll. All the ploughing that the
crop will require is to run one furrow on
each side of every row to throw the earth
from the corn. This may be done soon
after it is fairly up-three or Four inches
high. The principal object of this operation
is to make the earth mellow near the
corn that the roots may inore readily
*It may be put on the hill after ti e
corn is up with good effect.
I-JB.1JI ' <X? " ' " ' - -l*^- ?'' U TIM ML'W .1 mtlXJ
9
Jponctrnteit. Two good workings with '
the cultivator after this to keep down the I
weeds, and as many dressings with hoes j
simultaneously, is commonly all .the work (
the crop will require. Sometimes it is
found necessary to give it a third working
after harvest; but in all this work the sod
is not to he disturbed. It remains as a
| receptacle for the roots, which they will
. penetrate, and on which after it is dc- ;
i composed they will feed. If this field was
j in fair condition before, the yield of corn
; in a gooe season will he from eight to ten
barrels (40 or 50 bushels) per acre. The '
same field is to he sown with oats or barley
the next spring, except a few acres for
roots, about the first of April, without anv
manure. As soon as the oats or barley is
oiT it should receive all the vegetable manure
that can be mustered and ploughed,
j by t jrning rhe stubble and manure well under.
Piough again u short time before
| sowing, whtch may he done from the 20th
September to the 10th Octolrer, with
wheat. The following March it is to bo
sowed with clover, among the wheat, s:x
quarts to the acre. After the wheat is
taken oiT, the clover should be loft to grow,
and not a hoof be permitted to tread upon
it. The year following it may he cut for
hav. This will bring us to the end of the
? O
third year from the time of beginning.
The other fields in the mean time will
year after year, and one every year, be j
treated in the same way. I should have ;
mentioned that each field, the spring after j
it has been set in clover, should receive a
Iressing of one bushel of gypsum to the
acre.
Very few men ever will learn any
'hing except from experience, and this is
>articulailv the case as to farming and
Agricultural pursuits, hence the experience
>f one generation is lost upon the next,
because in a great measure the system of
mr best farmers exist and die with them,
is all has reposed in the memory of each
.ndividual, when if we had the experience
of piactical farmers committed to writing,
or collected into one systematic treatise,
it would enable many to prolit by it, who
are now left in the dark, but even this
would be very difficult on account of the
variety of our soils, uncertainty of the
seasons, and the vast difference in the
application of industry and attention to
every thing connected with farming and
stock raising. Every day's experience
| shows us that some individuals far outi
strips their neighbors possessing equal
i capital and soil?
j After the farm has received this treatment,
field after field, the farmer may
I begin his regular routine of crops to
| make money, and keep up the fertility of
the soil at the same time, bv small drcs'
sings of lime and plaster ; and by turning
' under Tops of clover.
1 The system as it regards a rotation of
: crops, &c. is to be the same that we have
, laid down, with this exception : After
j five or six jears, he is every year to flush
; up a field of clover by turning the crop
under, called a clover lay, which is to be
: put in wheat; thus giving him every year
(one field in corn, one in oats, two in
- f ?L.ML
j wheat, and two in ciover, one 01 wiucn
| for hay, the other for pasture.
; By a flue attention to saving manure,
the fertility of the soil, after having been
, once established "by lime, may be kept up
for an indefinite period. But the farmer
i is never to sell a ton of hav. He must
keep stoek enough to eat all he can rnise.
If lie have a goo I out range for hiscattle j
I ail the better; but let him, by giving:
; them salt, and by other moans, endeavor
, to get them in the yard every night.?
They will thus bring home and make for
him through the summer, a large quanti'
ty of manure.
In our division of the firm we said it
: would be well to have three lots of about
; one acre each, near the house or barn.? ;
! Two of these should always be kept in
clover, and the other in rotation worked ;
in roots, such as potatoes and the sugar j
j beet. Should it be desirable to work j
: more land in roots, it may be doue by op. j
: propriuting a part of the oat fi. ld to that
t purpose ; and they may be removed in
! time for sowing wlient.
.
The sugar beet will net be cultivated
| in this courffrry to any considerable extent
, for the purpose of making sugar; but as
food for milch cows, and fattening cattle,
few articles of food will bear comparison
with them. As to turnips, they are a
very worthless vegetable, and not worth
i trouble of cultivation. Six or eight
j bushels are as many as any farmer need
j care about raising. Potatoes, Irish potatoes?the
kind known as Mercers, or
Gllkies, as an article of food, for man or
j beast, are excellent.?They are far superior
to any other kind known in this and
any other country. Let the farmer be
satisfied with them as the ne plus altra,
in the way of potatoes. Tell me not of
your Rohans, your Orange, nor your Pink
eye?but give ine the Mercer Ior a potato,
and I will ask for but little bread.
By raising a few acres of roots, the
farmer will be enabled to keep a larger
stock of cattle ; and thus improve and
keep up the fertility ofhis land. And if
he have a seventh field for a standing
meadow, he may sell beef cattle beside
| his crop of wheat, and keep his land at
: the same time in progressive state of iini
prove merit. .
We said, when spoaking of the action
of plaster, and the physiology of plants
that we might recur to it again under
this head. That some plants derive their
support mostly from the soil, while others
receive it more from the atmosphere, is a
point conceded by nil accurate observers.
Clover is one of the latter class in an
eminent degree, which by its broad and i
expanded leaves is peculiarly fitted for
this purpose. The writer has often obI
served that even when the clover has
'i
been pastured ofT close, the roots only
have meliorated the soil. We are speaking
of the re I clover; but there is anoth.
erkind known by the name of French or
Italian clover, (trifolium incarnatum,)
which is nearly allied to it in its valuablf
properties for improving the soil. One
object for mentioning it is that it might
grow further South than the red clover,
The writer has noticed large fields of sandy
lands of the Eastern Shore of Maryland
covered with it, of spontaneous
growth.
White clover bearcs the same rank, ir
the estimation of the writer, amonr
grasses that turnips do among roots?"?
very worthless kind of thing"?I wouk
never wish to see a spear of it on a faru
of mine. It is a cursed vine that rum
and takes root from Dan to Bcrshcba. I
is a pest and intruder. We intend t<
serve it as others have served jthe Canads
Thistle?salt it.
By letting the land rest in clover a fev
years, it regains its energies which ma;
have been expended on other crops. Be
side, the importance of shade to the soil
frrm thn srnrrkinar rnvs nf an almos
B -~j~ ?
vertical Sun is not duly estimated; am
again, protection from cold in winter i
not less important. Observe how th'
soil is improved in fertility, where a planl
has lain a few years; even a flat stone
or anything to protect it from cxccssiv
heat or cold.
We arc admonished from the length o
our essay that it is time to bring it to i
close. If what we have said has bcei
toe# said, it is enough. If otherwise, to
much. We have but a few words furthc
to say by way of
Conclusion
Agriculture is one of the most impor
tant occupations in which man can l>
employed. It was among the first com
mands that he received from his Make
to "replenish the earth and subdue it."Yet
how lightly most men think of agri
culture! To be a Physician, a Lawye
or Divine, requires years of assiduoti
study and anxious thought; to becor.i
even a mechanic requires time, applies
cation and experience; hut a farme
may he made in a day ! It is but ver
recently that any thing like an agricultu
Continued on fourth pnge.
11 ERA W GAZETTE.
WEDNESDAY, April 7.
Mr. Wigiitman; who has been detain
ed in Cheraw longer than he calculate
upon, visits Bsnnetsville in a day or twr
where he expects to remain but a shot
time. Persons in that village or neigh
n o
borhood who wish to avail themselves u
his services would do well to make appli
cation at once; as ho will be able *o com
plete his present engagement there in
few days; immediately after which he wi
return, unless further engagements ar
made with him.
O- T . ..nn IVw. I . \f ATT . ftf PVinrloC
XJ r? if ALU!) L'li JLJ.I .'iv? t A VI t/uunv.
ton has been appointed Collector of th
Port of Charleston in place of Dr. Josep
Johnson resigned.
Gen. James W. Canty of Camden ha
been appointed Adjutant and Inspectc
General, by the Governor, in place of Ger
Jones resigned.
Next Speaker.?A correspondent (
the Raleigh Register, who signs himse
"A Member of Congress," states tin
William Cost Johnson of Maryland, seen
ed to be the choice of the Whig men
bcrs of last Congress, for the nea
Speaker.
A new crime.?The Recorder <
New York, at a late trial under on ir
dictment for murder, charged the jur
that the crime was "an assault with ir
tent to commit manslaughter." Th
jury brought in verdict accordingly.
British and Foreign Bible Society".
A correspondent of the Boston Atla
jroin Britain gives some account of th
Society, from which we evtract as follow;
This, remember, is the Bible Socict)
Thcv Confine themselves to the unadu
terated word of God. They have circt
lated more than half a million of copic
last year and over ten millions in all.?
Their income was over 8-300,000. A
the earth they have their stations an
agents. The Secretary said he believe
even the Barings themselves, never i
one day, accepted bills from so man
quarters. They count upon it, and d
not hesitate to be in debt 8200,000.?
They count upon its increase too. It ha
increased from the beginning, and som
875,000 the last season alone. Th
Society has issued 107 different volume
of Bibles in more than 80 languages. !
splendid beneficence it is indeed, beauti
ful in spirit?111 management, a giory i<
Great Britain?in operation, a blessin;
to the world. It almost makc9 amend
for the bloody ravages in which Englan<
has often led the way.
The Oseola.?This valuable rive
steamer, through the vigilant attention o
Capt. Christian, her skilful commander
was floated on Sabbath last, near Martin',
ferry and brought to the harbour on Mon
day night. The necessary repairs an
being done and in a few days the boa
will again be On the river.
Winyah Obscr.
i * **
*
"A Good Business.?We heard a story,
the other day, which amused us not a
little. A few weeks ago, a person of respectable
exterior and gentlemanly deportment
made his appearance in a little
village not a thousand miles from New
Haven, where the inhabitants are somet
what proverbial for keeping a closer eye
to their neighbors' affairs than to their
own. The stranger took lodgings at the
! village inn, and having no visible employj
mcnt to perplex or disturb hirr, his time
1 passed oil', apparently, quite agreeable to
himself, but much to the disquLt of the
neighborhood. Curiosity, that ever restless
tormentor of the village, wa9 all agog"
to learn the stranger's business and means
of support, and many were the wise
i guesses and sage surprises as to both, until
after a pretty general consultation and
thorough canvassing, it was concluded by
the board of gossips, that he had neither*
and that he would eventually leave the
landlord with an uncancelled score, as a
token of remembrance.
At length, one of the most inveterate
of the meddlers resolved, in his own mind, '
to broach the subject to the stranger, arid
thus, by performing an act of kindness*
for his neighbor unsolicited?whose easy
nature he was certain was capable of
being imposed upon?lie would have an
opportunity to satisfy himself as to tlio
stranger's real character. He accord-?
| ingly introduced himself, when the following
dialogue ensued:
"Well, stranger, you've been in these
here parts a considerable time now, I reck.
on?'
The stranger nodded assent.
"Pretty dear travelling now: costs you
i a good deal to live at the Taverns, !
I jj
! gllcSS.
Another nod. ^
"Must have some business to pay it,
; pretlv good business, eh?"
"Yes sir, you are correct there; I have
I business, and it i* a good business?an ex
Correspondence of the Charleston Courier.
Washington, Mahcii 25.
The new Administration is fairly at!
( work. The several heads of department
, arestrictly attentive to business, and drive
it through with a strong and steady hand.
You would be surprised, much as has ]
been said of the pressure for office and the
' i clamor of office-seekers, at the vast crowds
' ! of persons of all conditions who throng
' the ante-chambers of the Secretaries.?
J There you will see, at all hours of busincss,
a numerous assemblage of all sorts
> of people?dandies and ragged loafors,
\ ex-Senators and members of Congress,
i ex-Governors, editors, broken merchants,
1 pot-house and log-cabin politicians?all
i met on the same great business of solicit3
ing small offices?the great ones having
t been given out already.
Those who commenced by demanding
^ five thousutid dollar post-offices and collectorships,
are now iain to come down
to a one thousand dollar clerkships or in.
v spcctorships. Finally, they will be glad
* to take a suit of clothes,-in full coinpcns*
ation for their patriotism.
? These crowds, as I say, besiege the
t Secretaries daily, not only by personal,
[1 but by epistolary application. The writs
ten applications are accompanied by ree
commendations, certificates, &c., with
k numerous signers?all shewing the great
qualities and reciting the great actions of
e the applicants., and their devotion to the
whig cause, as proved in stump orations,
P Tippecanoe songs, &c. Many of these
documents are received by mail, and arc
sometimes soon followed by the applicant
n in person, who comes full of expectation.
0 One of these, tiieoiher day, waited on the
r President, and eagerly asked him if he
had read his papers. The President was
constrained to say that he had never seen
- 1 them. The applicant stated that they
e ! had been forwarded to him by mail. The
i. I President replied?"if that is the case my
r j readers will coiye to them in due course.
_ ! I have three readers employed, and you
j. ! inay be assured that your papers will be
r j opened in their turn." 1 heard one man
s complain that, though he hand written
and roared for Harrison through the late
contest, and expended some thousands
L* in hiscuase, lie could not get hiin to look
r at his written petition for ollice.
V Mr. Grangkr states that for onoofficein
l* hisgift?traveling agent he has before
him five hundred applications.
p It is estimated that the number of per!
sons who hare already come into this city
for offices for themselves or their friends
exceeds six ihousand. Some of them are
from a great distance, and remain here
on expense for some time. Supposing
'* j the average expenses of each person to be
d only one hundred and fifty dollars, it will
?, appear that they have expended the sum
1 of nine hundred thousand dollars already,
( | in their enterprize. This is, per Imps, a
larger sum than the new administration
" will bestow, in the aggregate, on all the
i- I new appointments of a subordinate grade
. i ibnt tliev niav make in their four voars.
aj The negotiations between our governU
; mcnt and that of Great Britain, are undoubtedly
going on still. Mr. John Q.
c Adams was in conclave with Mr. Webster
the whole day yesterday, on these subjects.
It is generally believed that al!
'* the difficulties with England will soon be
e placed in a train of settlement; but stil
|j there is danger enough of collision tc
j warn Congress of the necessity of early
I provisions for national defence.
s | Washington, Mauch 20.
>r j The leading article of the Intelligencer,
u of this morning, on the objects of the
| extra session, is looked upon as official?
j quite as much so. as if issued under the
?' signature of the Secretary of Slate, by
; order of the President. Wc now know
" I therefore, what wo before conjectured,
it that the President will propose no new
( measures to Congress?hut simply lav be4
| fore them some general information as tc
i the state of the Union, and leave it tc
' them to devise measures adapted to the
! condition of the country. There will be
no Executive recommendations?and nc
>f I Executive party. The President dis.
i.' claims both.
' I
j, A Shower of Aslics.
ie i The last number of Silliman's Journal
contains the following memorandum,
handed in by Rev. Peter Parker, M. D.
who was a passeng -r in the ship Niantic
from Canton, for New York:
13 41 Ship Niantic, L. F. Dotv, master
is April 5th, 1840, being in lat. 7 deg.
j: min. north, Ion. 121 deg. 10 min. east
r at 2h. A. M., sixty miles west from Min
I* dansio, one of the Phillipinc islands, there
, j came up a fine breeze from the northeast
.j] which was attended with a shower ol
) dust, resembling that of ashes. It came
- - - i.i . _ _ i
|j so thick that it oDscurea me moon aim
rj j stars, which were all out very clear before;
{| I it filled the sailors' eyes so full that they
n ! were obliged to retreat from the deck and
y go below; it lasted about one hour, and
0 clearedawav. At daylight, the Xiantic
_ looked like an old furnace, completely cov.
s crcd, from the royal mast head down to
e the water's edge. The decks I should
e judge were one quarter of an inch thick
s with the ashes; we took up one half bush^
el, and might have saved three or four.?
_, It fell in small quantities at different times,
0 | for two or three days after. On the 14th
y I of April, spoke the English barque Marg
| garet, vholer; reported likewise on the
j 5th of April they had a similar shower of
ashes, being at the time three hundred
miles north-east of us; he informed mc
r that on the 12th of April, he visited sever,
f al villages on the island of Madura, en,
tirely deserted by the people, from one of
s which he had taken two brass canon, and
- several other articles. This led us to
3 think that some volcanic eruption had
t lately happened in that neighborhood..?
After the 9th we perceived no more io
proceeding northward.''
ceiiont nusiness. '
" Thought so. flow much might it
briag you a month?"
I "Forty dollars, sir."
"Forty dollars a month! Well, 'tis a
I good business any how, that pays that.?
! What is it, if I may be so bold?"
| "Not bold at all sir?I take pleasure
! in informing you. You must know, in
I the first place. 1 make $'20 a month, siini
ply bv minding my oicn business?and
j again, I make $20, by letting other peoples'
1 alone /"
Our informant adds that the interrogator
forgot to report the result of his enquiries
to his curious neighbors.
Connecticut Paper.
Temperance.?Five gentlemen from
Baltimore, who have had much experience
on the wrong side of this subject, and
who now tinJ that abstinence is not only
exhiliraling but even to a degree intoxiI
eating, are at present making public addresses
in this city. They are volunteers
' in this und? rtaking, and with the purest
motives. Thus being actuated by the
I noblest feelings, they make deep drafts
on their past experience aud pour them
out to their mouth-watering hearers.?
They hold public meeting everyday and
evening and the manner in which they
I perform shows them to be "fifth proof,"
' and that they know how to "raise a bead"
,?n nnv n?irlii*nr*r>- Pprsnns un frnm pv?'>rv
i w" ?V e J
1 i part ot the city to hear them, and sucti has
j been their influence that, it is said,
j tears ot joy are now streaming down the ^
! face of innny a broken hearted wife, and
! manv a silent, sorrowing sister has begun
|| to smile again. They hold a meeting in
t the Park on Saturday afternoon.
N. Y. Jour, Com.
j
DKPARTMK > T OF STATU J/ABCII 17, 1841.
To M. St. Clair Clarke, William S.
| Murphy, and He us on M. Garland,
Esqs.
Geullcmrn: It is the desire of the Pres.
(; ident to be fully acquainted with the state
, | of progress in which the public works in
( ! thisci'y now are, and with the degree of
j skill, fidelity, and economy with which
| those works are carried on.
j For this purpose he has appointed you
I a Commission of Examination and InI
quiry, and he wishes you to direct your
; attention to the following points:
I 1. What is the number of persons cmi
ployed on the public buildings now in
j progress in the city, exclusive of laborers?
> Tliis is the more necessary as many of
; these persons hold offices not created by
. i snecitic Drovisions of law.
, j r
> j 2. What is the respective duty of each
? of ih se persons.
I 3. What prices are paid to them for
< j th. ir services; and whether, in any case,
. , the compensation is unreasonably large?
f 4. Whether there has been, or is, any
*j just ground of complaint against those
I i persons, or any of theiu, cither in regard
I I to their own diligence and skill, or in regard
to their treatment of laborers employed
by them?
If you have any reason to suppose that
any one has been guilty of misconduct,
you will state the charge to him and give
him an opportunity to answer it; and will
report no evidence of which the party
shall not have had notice.
You will inquire into no man's political
opinions or preferences; but, if it be ali
leged that any person, having the power
of employing and dismissing laborers, has
used that power, either in employing or
* 4.
dismissing, with any reierence iu mo
political opinions of those who may have
been employed or dismissed, or for any
political or party object whatever, or in
any other way violated his duty for party
or election purposes, you will inquire into
the truth or such suggestion; and if you
find reason to think it well-founded, in
any case, you will state the particular
facts and circumstances on which your
opinion is formed.
It is not intended that this Commission - >g
1 shall be of long continuance, nor be at- I
y