ART. VI.-HISTORY AND HABITS OF THE POTATOE. OWING to the arrangement of the matter for the present number of the JOURNAL, we have no room for a discussion upon the interesting subject contained in the following article. The history of plants, (especially those of greatest importance,) like that of nations, runs back into fable; and hence, it is not wonderful that authors disagree. We are in search of truth, and if we fall into error, we esteem him our friend, who sets us aright. Those who are curious to know something of the value of the potatoe in its normal or wild state, and its partic ular location, will find some interesting facts in "Smee on the Potatoe Plant," a work which we recommend to the perusal of our readers. MESSRS. EDITORS:-We cannot agree on the habits and economy of the potatoe. The nature of this all-important plant should be fully understood. Its being a native of a tropical country gave rise to a popular error as to its economy, which was believed to conform to hot and dry climates; whereas, experience has conclusively shown that the very reverse of climate is most adapted to its nature. This led you, and thousands of others, to suppose that nature, in this case, committed an error in placing the potatoe where it did not naturally belong-while it is an established fact, that almost the whole arctic flora grows within the tropical latitudes of America, on account of the great elevation of its mountainous regions, some of which are covered with everlasting snow and ice. Peru, the native country of the potatoe, includes every climate on the globe, from the hottest to the coldest. What, then, does it signify that the potatoe is a tropical plant? I have proven that its habits conform to its place of nativity, and that Canada and the northern parts of Europe have, during summer, a similar temperature, like the elevated mountain ranges of middle America, which should plainly account for the thriftiness of the plant therein. Preston, who comes endorsed by the high authority of Alexander von Humboldt, as “ the historian who has not now his equal living, neither in England nor Germany," has not given fancy sketches when he lets the potatoe spring up spontaneously in those cool regions, where, however, winter is unknown—there being no changes within tropical latitudes, which, with us, form winter and summer-there being a sameness of temperature the year round, as every geographer should know. The temperature of these elevated ranges, between eight and ten thousand feet, vary from thirty-five to sixty-five degrees Fahrenheit, where one crop of potatoes may follow the other without intermission of frost or winter. Preston further says, that the Peruvian Indians cultivated the potatoe next to the corn region of their mountains, from time immemorial before the conquest; that, therefore, it was not worse than a worthless weed, first discovered by the Europeans, but that it was a very important esculent to said Indians, from whom, no doubt, the Europeans learned its culture and use. I have said, that if nature had placed the potatoe in the northern parts of America, it would not have perpetuated its kind. Suppose a Mr. Smith has raised seed proper of the plant the same season, from seed under a hot-bed culture, does that prove that nature would do the same if left to chance? That under a natural course of vegetation it would at least require three years to mature tubers from seed, before they would re-produce the same, is a positive fact, of which every practical cultivator must be convinced. The following may serve as a test question: Suppose the entire potatoe crop of this season, in North America, north of the 36° of latitude, were left ungathered next fall, and the land on which it grew turned out, and left to chance; does any body suppose that five years hence a single plant could be found within this entire region? I venture to say, not one! They might partially escape one or two winters, but never five in succession! Now, gentlemen, all that you say in favor of potatoe seed, I fully endorse; but if farmers expect to raise full sized tubers from seed, before the second and third year, they will be undeceived by experience-which I have had for twenty-five years with the same. For my part, I have never been able, under the best culture, to raise a full grown potatoe from seed, before the third year. E. MALLINCKRODT. SCRAPS FROM THE EDITOR'S TABLE. THE VERNAL SEASON.-It is the vernal season-and now, in obedience to Nature's voice, the vegetable world is bursting into life and beauty, while the husbandman, with strength renewed by the invigorating frosts of winter, is called forth again to the labors of the field. Would that I could escape from the stony street, and dull unchanging walls that obstruct my view, and, amidst ever varying rural scenes, unite my lot with his. But I hear him say: "Alas! my lot is hard-this doom of labor deprives me of my rest, and obstructs all earthly joy." Deem not so. Suppress the fatal thought, and accept with grateful heart the blessings which attend thy high estate. Thou wast not doomed to toil alone, for Nature was ordained thy help-meet. She is thy servant, and obedient to thy will-awaits thy high behests, and even now, as a bride robed in rich attiredecked with flowers and exhaling odors sweet-she welcomes thee to thy vernal labors. The minstrels of the air, from every grove, with song of sweetest note, greet thy coming; the insect tribe, with wing of every hue, disport about thy path, and in fairy mazes dancing, proclaim the happy season-while brutes of grosser natures modulate their hoarse voices to tones of love and joy. It is the season of beauty-and of love, the source of all life. For every organic animated form, from the humblest plant to the highest intelligence, is conceived in love and nurtured by affection. At such a season-amidst such demonstrations of joy and of homage to man who was commissioned from on high to subdue the earth-shall he alone be mute, and, in sullen mood, murmur at his lot? It is impious to repress the swelling tide of joy which springs from scenes like these. Then open thy heart and let flow in every stream of joy, until filled with gladness, it shall overflow with love and gratitude to the Author of thy being. THE PORK TRADE OF THE WEST. WE are indebted to the St. Louis Republican for the following statistics and facts, in relation to the pork trade of the west. It is much to be desired, that some system of collecting and publishing facts in relation to this important in terest should be established, which would enable the farmers to regulate in some degree, the number of hogs raised and fattened for market. Such information would tend to prevent the great fluctuations which so frequently occur in the price, and be alike beneficial to both the grower and the dealer. We should be pleased to publish all such facts, in relation to this branch of industry, as our agricultural friends may esteem beneficial to their interest. Owing to the want of system in noting and collecting statistics in the west, perfect accuracy cannot be expected; but we imagine that the following tables are sufficiently accurate for all practical purposes. The enterprising and industrious editors of the St. Louis Republican, are entitled to much commendation for the labor which they have bestowed upon this subject; and if the publishers of newspapers throughout the country would follow their example, they would add greatly to their usefulness. Number of Hogs Slaughtered in the West in 1843-4, 1844-5, and 1845-6. OHIO. 1843-4. 1844-5. 1845-6. | Places. 240,000 196,000 300,000 Waynesville, 14,000 8,000 19,000 Hamilton, Rariespor 1,700 1,500 Lancaster, Chilicothe, 52,000 24,000 3,000 550 Baltimore, 1,300 800 Waverly, 2,800 1,300 Portsmouth, 2,000 900 10,000 5,000 1,500 Places. Cincinnati, Ripley, Xenia, 4,600 Camden, 19,000 Clarksville, 1843-4. 1844-5. 1845-6. 6,000 6,000 9,000 40,000 32,000 30,000 278 Alton, Naples, 37,000 15,000 St Louis, Upper Miss. riv., Louisiana, Warsaw, 3,000 6,000 4,000 15,000 Peru, Lacon, Peoria, 7,000 6,000 16,000 14,000 2,500 3,500 764 5,000 16,000 Wheeling, Madison, Louisville, Maysville, Tennessee & Cumberland rivers, 42,000 14,000 7,000 INDIANA. 63,000 Fort Wayne, 7,000 Dupin, 8,000 Terre Haute, 6,000 ILLINOIS. 23,000 Pekin, 1843-4. 1844-5. 1845-6. 3,000 1,000 800 2,000 4,000 6,000 5,000 6,000 3,000 5,000 6,000 2,000 6,000 18,000 20,000 27,000 MISSOURI. 30,498 Missouri river, KENTUCKY. 20,000 10,000 68,000 Louisville, 11,000 101,000 Bowling Green, 7,000 14,000 No tables have been obtained for the year 1846-7, but the number is set down at 800,000. 16,000 8,000 100,000 MISSISSIPPI RIVER. Total number, Number of Hogs Slaughtered in 1847-8. OHIO RIVER. 5,000 Wabash & White rivers, 200,000 475,000 Scioto Valley, 100,000 10,000 75,000 Aurora, 100,000 Covington, 10,000 6,000 1,081,000 63,924 Quincy, 10,000 8,000 9,937 3,000 3,400 1,000 1,200 6,000 Total number, ILLINOIS RIVER. 3,000 Point Isabel, 5,000 Beardstown, 25,000 Meredosia, 25,000 Naples, LaGrange, St. Joseph, Weston, Lexington, Camden, Brunswick, Glasgow, MISSOURI RIVER. 5,000 Boonville, 10,000 Rocheport, 2,000 Liberty, 5,000 5,000 3,000 Total amount of above tables, ILLINOIS RIVER ( 2,000 Year. 1833 1834 1835 1836 1837 1838 1839 1840 Total number, No. Hogs. 85,000 1,492,924 There are several small towns not embraced in the above table, which will probably swell the total to 1,500,000. Total number, From the foregoing, we gather the following results for the last five years Total number for 1843-4, 912,000; 1844-5, 642,314; 1845-6, 955,588; 1846-7, 800,000; 1847-8, 1,492,924. The following statement has been furnished us of the operations of the several slaughterers in this city during the past season: Number of Hogs packed in St. Louis for the season 1847-8. H. Ames, 9,000 Finney, Conn, 5,500 Schoenthaler, Steitz, 5,112 Shaffer, Bates, 3,000 3,500 7,390 1,000 2,000 1,272 1,050 800 3,000 McFaul, Total number, 63,924 Sigerson, From the foregoing statements, it will be seen that there has been an increase in the number of hogs slaughtered, amounting to 50 per cent. on the products of any previous year. In this city the slaughtering business has risen from 33,000 in 1846-7, to 63,000-about double-in 1847-8. Year. 1841 123,000 1842 163,000 1843 123,000 $6.00a6.25 1844 103,000 6.00a7.00 1845 182,000 3.50a4.00 1846 199,000 5.50a6.00 1847 95,000 3.00a3.50 The following table furnishes a list of the number of hogs put up each year in Cincinnati, since 1833, inclusive, and the prices at which the market opened. The season begins in November and ends in March. Each year refers to that in which business closed: Price. 6,000 1,500 156,500 4,000 3,000 2,000 39,000 No. Hogs. 250,000 240,000 213,000 287,000 250,000 Price. 160,000 $3.50a3.75 220,000 2.00a2.50 1.62a2.00 2.25a2.65 2.50a2.70 4.00a4.25 2.70a2.80 |
