hospitals and a "lying-in hospital," and a very neat, commodious church, which is well filled, every Sabbath, with an orderly, pious congregation, and service performed by a respectable methodist clergyman, who also performs the baptismal, communion, marriage and burial rites. There is a small stock of cattle, hogs and sheep, kept upon the place for meat, which are only allowed to come upon the fields in winter, under charge of keepers. The buildings are all of wood, but generally plain, substantial and good. There is a pretty good supply of tools, carts, boats, &c., and the land is estimated to be worth $100 an acre, for the rice land, which would be $150,000 The 500 acres upland, $25 per acre,.. The negroes, at $300 each, Stock, tools and other property, say.. 12,500 210,000 7,500 $380,000 which will show rather a low rate of interest, made from sales of crops, notwithstanding the amount of sales look so large. Now, the owner of all this property lives in a very humble cottage, embowered in dense shrubbery and making no show, and is, in fact, as a dwelling for a gentleman of wealth, far inferior, in point of elegance and convenience, to any negro house upon the place, for the use and comfort of that class of people. He and his family are as plain and unostentatious, in their manners, as the house they live in; but they possess, in a most eminent degree, that true politeness and hospitality that will win upon your heart and make you feel at home in their humble cot, in such a manner that you will enjoy a visit there better than in a palace. Nearly all the land has been reclaimed, and the buildings, except the house, erected new, within the twenty years that Governor Aiken has owned the island. I fully believe that he is more concerned to make his people comfortable and happy, than he is to make money. 3. CHEAP FARMING LANDS IN VIRGINIA. Taking into account the fertility and all the conveniences of navigable waters, and the products of the same, which add to the comforts and luxuries of life, and also the mildness of climate, I believe the tide-water region of Virginia offers the cheapest lands, according to their intrinsic value, of any part of the United States. Lands, that, under a moderate state of improvement and cheap system of fertilizing by lime, marl, clover or peas, or by an application of 200 bs. of guano to the acre, can be made to average at least twelve bushels of wheat, or thirty bushels of corn to the acre; which can be bought at from $10 to $30 an acre, with good buildings and fences, within two days' sail of New York, I hold to be very cheap. Thousands of acres of timber land, or "old field" land, in the same region, can be bought for one to five dollars an acre. I was lately offered a very productive, well-improved farm upon the "Glouster Low Grounds," lying upon the navigable waters of the Severn, for $25 per acre. This farm is all underlaid with rich marl only a few feet from the surface. The flat lands" of the Rappahannock are worth from $10 to $20 an acre. The "hill lands" or "forest," are worth about half that sum, according to the state of improvement or locality. As to the quality of the people, it may be gathered in a great degree from the fact, that neither doctor, lawyer, judge, justice, sheriff, clerk nor constable, can live by his profession. In the county of Caroline, with 20,000 inhabitants, for instance, I was told that a suit in court was almost unknown. The sheriff has not had a writ in his hands this year, nor has a suit, either civil or criminal, been instituted in the justice's court. I do not think that emigrants from any of the northern States have any more to apprehend on account of health, than they would in the West. The condition of agricultural improvement may be imagined, when I tell my readers that nine-tenths of the plows used are the old "Freeborn pattern," little onehorse plows, and that land is planted with corn one year, and sowed with wheat and weeds next, and then corn again, without manure, and yet people live, and the land does not become absolutely barren under such an exhausting system. No wonder that land is cheap-for the owners don't know its value. S. H X 4. THE CAROLINA PALMETTO. Speaking of the Washington monument, Mr. Frost, of the New Orleans Grescent, suggests the propriety of each of the States furnishing a part of the wood work as well as the stone. In that event, he adds, and we quote, for the sake of the allusion to the beautiful palmetto, the pride of our early home, rendered sacred by being incorporated in her banner and on her seal, and despite the too common but unmerited thrust at the politics of the State which the extract contains: Texas could send a trunk of the pecan: Louisiana the cypress, which is the tree of the State; Mississippi the magnolia; Florida the live oak; Georgia and North Carolina the yellow pine; South Carolina the palmetto, though we fear the structure of this beautiful tree would be as impracticable as her politics. This is the finest specimen of the palm family indigenous to the United States. It is the chamaerops palmetto of the botanists. In the Sketch of the Botany of South Carolina, by the lamented Elliott, is the following interesting description of this tree: "Stem sometimes attaining a height of 40-50 feet, 12-15 inches in diameter. The frond: 5 or 6 feet in length, growing at the very summit of the tree. Flowers in naked panicles. Drupe bluish black. "This palm possesses a great and, to this country, an increasing value. It is the only tree produced in our forests which is not attacked by the teredo navalis or ship-worm; and as it is incorruptible in salt water, its value for submarine construction is almost incalculable. "Its leaves can be employed in the manufacture of hats, baskets, mats, and many other purposes of domestic economy; the cabbage,' composed of the unexpanded embryo leaves, may be classed among the most delicious vegetables produced on our tables. It is, however, a wasteful luxury, as the tree always perishes when deprived of this part of its foilage. "Grows along the sea coast of Carolina and Georgia, confined to the neighborhood of salt-water; preferring damp, rich soils. Flowers June-July.” And now that we are on the palms, we will give a beautiful description from Linnæus: "Princes of the vegetable kingdom, of Indian origin, distinguished by their sheathed and many spiked flowers, their flowing habit, their lofty stature, the simple elegance of their unbranched, long-enduring stem, the leafy evergreen garlands with which they are crowned, and their princely treasures of rich fruit." The Sylva of North America, by Michaux, is a magnificent work. This enthusiastic naturalist made an extensive tour over a large portion of the continent, though he did not reach the Rocky Mountains. Mr. Nuttal, Professor of Natural History in Harvard University, however, traversed the continent with a party of trappers and hunters. On his return he added, or was to add, a volume to the work. Unfortunately for the cause of natural science, this gentleman inherited a title and fortune in England. Unlike the Baron Von Humboldt, he appears to have given up the more laborious researches-in fact, we have lost sight of him. Bartram, more than a hundred years ago, explored the Southern States and Florida. 5. SUGAR LANDS OF FLORIDA. In passing the Withlacoochee, in Benton county, we must not fail to notice the large sulphur and iron springs not over a mile from the large hammock we have left (Ten-Mile Creek hammock), and not more than two from the small one on the South side of the river. From these springs to the Crystal river, a distance of ten miles, there are but two small hammocks, and they are not of sufficient size to attract much attention from the sugar planter. On Crystal river (the most beautiful probably in Florida) there is land enough, it is said, for about four plantations. The land is similar in character, although thought not to be of the first quality, with that of the coast lands before described. The river is formed by a lake of springs-is wide and deep, and is but eight miles long. A high rolling pine country makes down to its head, and in view of its crystal springs, its lakes and islands, its evergreen woods, its Indian and shell mounds, its high shell islands at its mouth, its harbor and bay, its fish, oysters and turtle, it certainly is a most beautiful and desirable place. There are no planters upon this river. Between the Crystal and Homossassa rivers, a distance of six miles, it is a prairie, with the exception of one or two hammocks, one of which is owned by the State. It is a question if this prairie would not be a fine sugar land, and the most of it easily brought under cultivation. The Homossassa is another spring river, about ten miles long, wide enough for steamboats, with rocky islands, shell islands, bayous, cross rivers and salt rivers enough for a person residing upon it to lose his way even in the day time. It is beautiful nevertheless, and a person would hardly be satisfied after a month's exploration. It abounds in fish, and near it there are fine oysters. On its northern bank there is land enough probably for three or four sugar plantations, and, on the South side the hammock, is about three miles deep and extends to the Chisewitska river, six miles. Some of these lands are rocky, and this is made an objection to them; but although it may be more difficult to cultivate, yet the crop of corn, potatoes, pumpkins and turnips, and the patches of cane, show that the rocks do not interfere with their growth. There are three plantations upon this river, but no sugar crop has yet been made. About sixty acres of cane have been planted this year, but it is intended mostly for seed, I presume. It should be observed that vessels can find safe anchorage off the mouths of these rivers, and there will be but little difficulty in getting the produce to market if once made. The Chisewitska is another spring river, and is about ten miles long. Most of the lands upon this river, it is thought, will require draining. The hammock upon it extends South, so far as has been surveyed, two miles. The next twelve miles South to the Weekaiwachee, or Spring C. R., are not much known, as no settlements were made between the two, and there has been no survey. Immediately east of this is the Annuttiliga hammock, containing nearly forty square miles of hammock. This might be termed in Florida "up country," but I notice it, as no part of this hammock is over sixteen miles from barge navigation on the rivers Chisewitska and Weekaiwachee, and neither river over ten miles long. This hammock is well dotted around with permit claims, but the majority of those who have settled had not the means to plant extensively, and located there on account of the prospective value of the land. The remainder, with the exception of some few tracts purchased, has been located by the State. Many remark that the Annuttiliga and Chocochata country is as fine and as desirable as any in the State, and if we think rich lands, a high rolling country and beautiful places for residences a desideratum, it should certainly claim as much attention as any part with which I am acquainted. Chocochata hammock will not probably claim much attention from sugar planters, although the average distance from the Weekaiwachee river would not be upward of fifteen miles. On the Weekaiwachee river there are good lands, but they are mostly unsurveyed. This is another spring river, rising in the high rolling country, about two miles long, and emptying into the Gulf. South of Weekaiwachee there are no rich lands north of Tampa Bay, a distance of fifty miles, with the exception of one or two small hammocks; but it is a very desirable country for raising stock. My estimate of the lands adapted to sugar culture, in Benton county, is seventy-five square miles unoccupied. This, with the amount in Levy county, will make two hundred square miles. I have not estimated in this the small detached hammocks, nor any pine lands that may be used profitably for this crop. I have mentioned sugar, as I believe it will be the principal product of this section of the country, most of which is further South than Lake George, and a portion below Lake Monroe. These lands are as well adapted to cotton, corn and tobacco, as any other in the South. The State owns most of these lands. What is the best course to pursue to have them settled and to enhance their value? I propose to consider this in a future communication. AN ACTUAL SETTLER. 6. PRODUCTION OF GRAPES AND WINES IN THE SOUTH AND WEST. We have, in previous volumes, published a great many articles upon this subject, from the pen of Dr. Weller, of N. Carolina, Mr. Noyes, of Mississippi, and others. The subject has too much interest at the South, easily to be exhausted, and inquiries, relating to it, are frequently made of us. A few months ago, Dr. Weller was kind enough to forward us an assortment consisting of several dozen bottles of his wines, which we have either consumed or presented to friends for their opinion and judgment. With scarcely any exception, the verdict has been the highest approval, in which we heartily concur. Some of the specimens were what the Doctor calls "leaf wine," "scuppernong hock," "scuppernong Madeira," "scuppernong champagne," etc. We preferred the "hock." The fault of over-sweetness, is one that is common to all American wines. We have preserved a few bottles, and may hereafter state how they are affected by time. It is known, to many of our readers, that Cincinnati and its vicinity have acquired great fame for the production of the finer wines; and the following, by Mr. Buchanan, a leading merchant of that city, will be read every where with interest: SELECTING AND PREPARING THE GROUND.-A hill side, with a southern aspect, is preferred. If the declivity is gentle, it can be drained by sodded, concave avenues; but if too steep for that, it must be benched or terraced, which is more expensive. In the autumn and winter, dig or trench the ground with a spade all over, two feet deep, turning the surface under. The ground will be mellowed by the frosts of winter. PLANTING.-Lay off the ground in rows, three by six feet; put down a stick, twelve or fifteen inches long, where each vine is to grow. The avenues shall be ten feet wide, dividing the vineyard into squares of one hundred and twenty feet. Plant, at each stick, two cuttings, separated five or eight inches at the bottom of the hole, but joined at the top-throw a spadeful of rich vegetable mold into each hole, and let the top eye of the cutting be even with the surface of the ground, and if the matter is dry, cover with half an inch of light earth. The cuttings should be prepared for planting, by burying them in the earth immediately after pruned from the vines, in the spring; and, by the latter end of March or early in April, which is the right time for planting, the buds will be swelled so as to make them strike root with great certainty. Cut off close to the joint at the lower end, and about an inch in all above the upper. PRUNING. The first year after planting, cut the vines down to a single eye (some leave two; the second, leave two or three; and, the third, three or four. After the first year, a stake, six and a half or seven feet long, must be driven firmly down by each plant, to which the vines must be kept neatly tied, with willow or straw, as they grow. Late in February or early in March, is the right time for spring pruning in this climate. Summer pruning consists in breaking off the lateral sprouts and shoots, so as to leave two strong and thrifty canes or vines-one of which is to bear fruit the ensuing season, and the other to be cut down in spring pruning, to a spur, to produce new shoots. These may be let to run to the top of the stake, and trained from one to the other, until the wood is matured, say in August or September, when the green ends may be broken off. One of these vines is selected next spring for bearing fruit, and cut down to four or six joints, and bent over and fastened to a stake, in the form of a bow. The other is cut away, as well as the fruit-bearing wood of the last year, leaving spurs to throw out new wood for the next, and thus keeping the vine down to within one and a half or two feet of the ground. Nip off the ends of the fruit-bearing branches two or three joints beyond the bunches of grapes, but do not take off any leaves. If both the cuttings grow, take one up or cut it off under ground, as but one vine should be left to each stake. CULTURE. The vineyard must be kept perfectly clean from weeds and grass, and hoed two or three times during the season. Keep the grass, in the avenues around, down close. About every third year put in manure, by a trench the width of a spade, and three or four inches deep, just above and near each row; fill in with two or three inches of manure and cover up with earth. WINE MAKING.-Gather the grapes when very ripe; pick off the unsound and unripe berries. The bunches are then mashed in a mashing tub, or pressed through a small mill, breaking the skin but not the seed, and thrown into the press, and the screw applied until the skins are pressed dry. FERMENTATION. This process is very simple. The juice is put into clean casks, in a cool cellar, and the casks filled within about four or five inches of the bung, and the bung put on loosely. The gas escapes, but the wine does not run over. In from two to four weeks, generally, the fermentation ceases, and the wine clears; then fill up the casks and tighten the bungs. In February or March, rack off into clear casks. In the spring, a moderate fermentation will again take place; after that, the wine fines itself, and is ready for bottling or barreling. Use no brandy or sugar, if the grapes are sound and well ripened. Keep bunged up or corked tight, and in a cool cellar, and the wine will improve, by age, for many years. R. BUCHANAN. Mr. Charles Cist. STATISTICS. Cost of my vineyard, of six acres-fourteen thousand four hundred vines : Fourteen thousand five hundred locust stakes, @ $3 per hundred,. $390 60 75 70 435 55 $1,085 231 246 20 68 150 $1,800 Cost of attending the first year-vine dresser $216, and a hand for one month,...... Contingencies, &c.,... Average cost, say $300 per acre,......... The third year the vines will produce grapes enough to pay the expenses of that year-generally more. For the fourth year, and a series of eight or ten years in succession, the experience of the past would indicate the following calculation to be something like a fair one: Say six acres average 250 gallons, at rates heretofore $1 per gallon,............................ To attain this, the vineyard must be favorably situated and well attended, by a competent vine dresser, and free from the disastrous visitation of the rot. VINE CULTURE IN THIS VICINITY.-It is estimated that over three hundred acres are now planted with the vine, within a circuit twelve miles round Cincinnati; nearly two-thirds of which were in bearing last year, producing, notwithstanding the rot, so injurious to many, about 50,000 or 60,000 gallons of wine. The catawba is our great wine grape, and principally cultivated. The Isabella is not preferable for wine, and is only used for table use. Mr. Longworth, with unwearied zeal and liberality, is still experimenting with new varieties, and may yet find a rival for the catawba. N. B. Some vineyards, in good seasons, have produced at the rate of 600 to 800 gallons to the acre; but this is rare. The usual yield is 300 to 400 gallons, where there is but little rot. A bushel of grapes, if well ripened, will produce three and a half to four gallons of wine. By proper economy, a man may have a vineyard of several acres, in a few years, without feeling the expense to be burthensome. Commence by trenching one acre in the winter, and planting it out in the spring: next year another acre, and so on for five or six years. After the first year, he will have his own cuttings, from the first acre, and also grapes enough to pay for the cost of planting the succeeding additions to his vineyard. If he has suitable timber on his own land, the stakes can be got out in the winter with but little outlay in money. By this course, the cost of a vineyard of six acres, would not be half as much as mine. Some prefer planting in rows, four by five-others, four and a half by four and a half; and on level land, three and a half by six, or even seven feet. I have merely given, in the foregoing remarks, the course pursued by myself and some of my neighbors, without pretending that it is preferable to others. |