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KENT TI in 15 ['OU m’TIM; TIMBER.
Editors Southern Cultivator — In answer to San
Marcus, as to the best time for cutting timber, wc v, ill
state that the results of numerous experiments, for a se
ries of years, by both the United States and British gov
ernments, have settled the question that all timber should
be felled before the sap attains its culminating point, or
Completes its olliee of eonvering and depositing the consti
tuents necessary for the plant growth for that season. —*
All timber cut after that period, decays more or less rap
idly, in consequence of the putrefaction of the sap arrest
ed in its course} arid before entering into the new combi
nations. lienee, the experience of San Marchs, that tim
ber cut in the winter, spring, or early summer, was more
durable than at any other time. This terminal period,
On the Atlantic slope of the Appalachian mountains, from
Virginia and southward to about 32 deg. of latitude,
thence bending westward upon the same isothermal iine
to Texas, is completed about midsummer. For the south
wards or northwards, the season should govern the prop
er time, as vegetation sooner or later matures. In mid
die Georgia the timber trees are in full leaf in May, and
mature early in July. In New England, not until late in
August.
The recent discovery, by Mi*. Robbins, of New York,
for preserving wood, is predicated, partly, on nature’s
process, viz. to expel the sap or moisture, by a high torn
perature; and then by forcing carbolic acid and creosote
into the empty cells and tubes, which exist between the
annual growths—filling them up with this substance, in a
chrystalized’state, so as to preserve the wood from putre
faction and decay, or attack from worms or insects, for
ages.
Tjic art was known to the Egyptians, whose sarcophagi j
from the catacombs of Memphis and Thebes, arc more
than three thousand years old, and as sound as if made
yesterday, but the art was lost as well as that of embalm
ing about three hundred years after Christ. If the wood
sap was composed of the same substance, and the Umbel*
cut when the cells were filled, it would never decay ; and
if the cells of wood are only partially filled, with coal tar,
by boiling, it will not only preserve all kinds of timber
much longer, but prevent its shrinking and swelling upon
every change of temperature, M. S.
ARE FARMERS HIJACKS.
Gil Bias tells us that he served as valet to Dr. Sangrado,
who paid him nothing and gave him very little to eat, but
encouraged to drink water freely. “Brink, my son, drink;
you need not be afraid of it; water is the greatest purifi
er and invigorator. By no means neglect to drink a
great deal of water.” Gil Bias followed his directions,
with fidelity until he became so weak and emaciated that
lie began to think of anew master and better cheer. But
the doctor would not give up so docile a pupil, so lie
took him as a partner in his practice, after having taught
him the whole science of medicine in one single sentence.
‘"‘Make your patient drink a great deal of water and be
sure to bleed him freely. Blood-letting and water
drinking are the whole of pharmacy.” There is no need
to pause to describe his career in assisting his master in
depopulating the city.
Now, many farmers treat their lands in precisely this
SOUTIIKUN CULTIVATOR.
fashion. They feed their lands very lightly or not at all,
and tliev rely upon water alone to make a crop. In the
meantime, they bleed as freely as possible at every har
vest, and then apply leeches to the surface ('n the shape
of grazing stock) to extract the last possible drop of
blood. After the system has been pursued for some time,
the fat-mer is astonished to find himself poor, his land
poor, and bis cattle poor. Now, this is quackery, to
produce a disease by injudicious treatment, and then ag
gravate it by continuing the same. I would recommend
to this class of farmers to treat their lands by one of the
rules of the Thompsonian practice, by which they cure a
great many patients, despite of their lobelia and steam ; I
mean good feeding and good nursing, so that Nature may
do the rest. It is worthy of note that lands, well ma
nured and well cultivated, seldom fail to produce a good
crop, while those left to the fructifying influences of wa
ter (rain) alofto, fail partially or totally in four cases out
of five Ido not undervalue the rains, and dews and
sunshine of heaven, but, for all that, lam not a water
cure man.—J. B. S. — Southern Planter and Parmer.
—q o jjiif— 1
For the Southern Cultivator.
ANSWERS TO INQUIRIES.
“ liest Season to Sow Grass Scetl.” —As early in the
fall or winter as the land is damp enough to vegetate and
supply moisture for growth. Remember, a light season
soon dries, and leaves the tender plant to scuffle. When
land is broken up deep and thorough , and made rich
enough, harrow thoroughly, then use a roller. This gives
firmness to earth for fine rootlets.
Grass in an Oak Grove.” —Thin out your trees,
leaving them only thin enough to make shade trees- —they
will then “spread” themselves. You can then sow Blue
or Orchard Grass seed, though not with as good prospect
as if no trees. The roots of trees will have most food.
Rye will make an excellent “grazing;” plow and harrow
line. Sow to 2 bushels; it is only for grazing—bar
row in the seed. Sow grass seed after, and first rain will
cover. Sow plenty of seed—true economy. . Sow as
above. “ Multicole Rye” is best for grass-blades.
“ The Striped Bug.” —Soak all melon and cucumber
seeds in a tea of soot and saltpetre for 24 to 48 hours.
“ TOM.”
CLOVER.
•Editors Southern Cultivator: —A word-to J. T>.
P., of Chappells Depot, Newberry, S. C. If as fine
clover, as lie ever saw in Virginia, can be raised in New
berry, can it not be done in Darlington? I tried to have
a small patch of clover, by sowing it with wheat, in Fcb
.nary last, covering the wheat and clover at the same
time, by “dragging it in” with a brush. The was
we.fi prepared—a bluish clay bottom well drained—here
tofore producing fine corn and cotton; was planted in'
peas last year; a large quantity of hay taken from it in
the fall, and the stubble placed under before frost. The'
result is, at present prospects, a failure, both as to wheat
and clover. The rust hasjnjured the wheat greatly in
this District. 1 hope J. D. P. will be kind enough to
give, in next Cultivator, minute details of his “modus op
erandi” with clover. When sown, how much per acre,
how put in, &c., &e. • vs
Very respectuflly, ALPHA.
Darlington, S. C. t tfuiu t 1863.