IT
N'BUR-Y
AMER
1 10
H. B. MASSER, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
OFFICE, MARKET STREET, OPPOSITE THE POST OFFICE.
Gl jFamfla ilcVuspnpcr-Dctaotttt to jjolfUcs, a.tnitturc, ittoritlfts, iFortfrjn ant Domestic iictos, Science ant the arts, Ptflrtculturc, iWarluts, amusements, .
New series vol. a, no. i.
SUNMJRY, 'NOUTIIUMHERLAM) COUNTY. PA., SATfllDAY, JUNK 1.1, 18.10.
OLD SERIES VOL. 10, NO. 38.
T ft A-TV
II I -4 Ytf
T'iJUMS OP THE AMERICAS.
i TiR AMERICAN In pntilishHl every Sntnnlny at TWO
90LI.AHS per iinnuni to he paid I" yearly in ailvanrc,
V- .:, .l nrraflrnmX.r. rtntll
l V pRIRH UlttLinilllKir.1 umn .p- - -
ft n iv Irltf.r on lin.inr. rplulinff to
the
mee, w insure aiu'iiuim, nm-i in .
TO CIX113.
Yares oopies to one Sililresa, S50
i . I Illlii'P II A I Ik
irii.n Do lo SOU"
Five dollar, in advance will pay for three year'.eubscrip'
'lion to the American.
On Saunia of 18 tinea. 3 times,
Kvery subsequent insertion,
One Square, 3 month.,
Six month.,
One yenr,
Business Card, of Five line., per aimnm,
Merchants and other., advertising by Ilia
year, with the privilege of inserting dif
ferent sulvertiaenwins weekly.
iy Larger Advertisements, as per agreement.
f I 00
SMI
sou
2. B. 1A33E?,
ATTORNEY AT LAW,
BOIIHXTRV, PA.
Business aitcntlcj to in the Counties of No
burnt erlanil, Union, Lycoming and Culumhia.
Heler lot
P. fc A. I'OVOCIIT,
Low KH St I! A it lion,
So MR in & SxonunAsa,
l-l'Aiai.
Kiikoi.il, McKAnniii & (.!. I
Mpitnt.m, 'loon &. Co.. J
HANK NOTE TALLE.
CORRECTED WEEKLY.
PEXXSYLVAXIA.
CITT OH MIII.sDSLl'111.
T. S. Bunk notes 1" die
All solvent bunks pui
roCSTRY.
Hank of Ohamber.biirg 1 dis
Hank of ('healer Co. p-irj
MASSACAfUKTTP.
All solvent bunk, j dis
HHODK ISLAND.
All solvent bunks J dis
Cd.VXKi ticlt.
All solvent bunk. dis
NKW YORK.
city.
Hunk oi Del. Co. Chester ir
liank of (ierm.ntown
Hunk of Gettysburg
Hank of I.iwisrowil
mr All solvent ImnhS I "
1 dis Is1 lik n"ts under &j j ois
ror THY.
All solvents bunk.
.NKW JKUSI'.Y
bank of Alnldletoivn 1 din
1 dis
Montgomery O H'liik 1""'
11 ...L. ..I V l..ii..l...rl'iul mil
Helvitlere Hunk
' dis
J ills
iii...i...r.. I iliM't'iilliiiiiirri:)! Itnlik
ii ...i. .. i .ii ....r l'nr. Il.ink Mont Holly
par
Carlisle H:,uk 1 di. 1". .V M .. Mi.klU t,. u I't. lr
Columbia U k A- H'ge Co ,mr;.M-li.ii,l,-' HW. Xrwark ir
l)-.velt nvii Hank r Ii. Hk ol Iliirhie.Mon pnr
Kawon Bunk or;M.Th. A .Mnn. Hk lrent par
Krio Bank 2 ,i .Movrn Co Hunk 1 '"
Kiehange H'kPittalMirg 1 di.l Newark Bk'g .V Ins. Co lm
Klehanire H'k, Hranrli 1 di.Klrniiife H-ink i
Karmers H'k. BueksCo par l'e -pb-'a Hk Pntti-raon J dis
Kariners- Hk, Lnuriisler par lTlnei i mi nai
Farmrra' Ilk, Mending pur. Salem Hankilli.' r.o,
Farm. Bk S-buvlkill Co par!Senierrel t.'o Hank
F 4 D. Bk Wavne.bg ndisiStute Bank Ht ( iiui.len
Franklin l!k. Wnali'ii l idislSmie Bk F.lizniieilit.u
par
par
3 ''
wir
5 di.
lltrrisburg Bank
, .1 e IS'iliK .M'V.arh
01.
l1onedtile liank
liniieaster Hank
Lebanon Bank
Mereh. A Man. Bank
1 ili. Slate Bk. N. Binnswiek par
par,Snwex Bank. .Newton dis
narrrrenton Hailkin;' Co par
1 din
1'iiinii liank. llioer 1 'OS
Miners' H'k. Pottsville per
VnrdlHW'le A DelDr C; l.idi.
Monoiigahela liank 1 dis!
Tayl imv'e Del ll'it Co 15 disi
fyl)k' notes under W J dis
DI-.l.A" AUI..
West uraneii u iiik
nnrHank of Delaware
par
pur
Wyoming Bk, Wilkeslc pari Bank l rimvrim pur
York Bank. 1 dialDelnwnrr City Hank r
rff-R.licf notes 1 din Hk llinff'll Hrano w. ir
MINF. 1'armer.' Hk Si Delaware par
Hank of Whettoek Sdis Cnion Hank. Vilniiii:l.'n par
Merenntile Bk. Bangor IndiN it"- I nder ST. i dis
All .ilvent banks lis. , .V a
NKW IIAMPSIIllli:. A" 'dvent tmnks 5d"
AII.olve.it bank. j 'li","!'k ,VV' .7.?
VI'.RMON'T. j NOIt lll I AKOLINA.
D.nk of St Allans 2 diAII s dvenl banks '- i.
All solvent lianks j diiC?rl nder.Vs, SJ ilia
" A CALL TO HOTJSEHrETEE.3
At tSio. Cabinet Ware tlooi of
SE1VN 1IOUPT k CO.
Market Square,
Mto at the conn r of Fawn street ' the Railroaih
SL'NBURY, PA.
Thankful for the patronage of hi friend", nnd
mstotners duvin3 te H he 1,M 1,,',",n luftm
nesa in tliia place, lie solicits from the public a con
tinuame of their favora. Dnrins thin period lie
has endeavored to keep up w ith the improvement
uf tl. dav, and lias accordingly extended hm Imsi
nces in eVerv branch and variety. The P"11'"- are
therefore invited to tho aticntion of the present
etock of
CAlilXET W'AUE AND CHAIRS,
Manufactched by
SE2ASTIAN HOUPT & CO.
At the Old Stftml,
Where in addition to their former stock f the
eHtabliahinent they now manufacture
Mahogany, Walnut & Cane-Scat Chairs(
Lurirt Sprint; Seat Rocking Chain,
Dressing Bureaus, Centre Tables,
" Marble Top Wash Stands,
und a variety of other
new style und
Fashionable Furmture.
Havinff secured a Hearse and made the neces
ary arrangements for the purpose, they arc now
prepared for Undertaking in all its branches, in
this vicinity or at any convenient distance.
Ye maids and mistresses, und husband, too,
Here's furniture of every Btyle and hur,
From aide boards down to kitchen tables.
From rocking cliaira to locking cradles
fihould you not have the lendy John to pay,
Y'U wait awhila for a brighter belter day,
Or take potatoes, ont, roru, wheat and rye ;
Bark, hoop poles, slaves, or hnnlier wet and dry,
Or any thing but yokes and threshing Bail.,
Fiom pigs and turkies down to little quails.
Come on then friends, come one and all,
sr. r.H. mmrlnir: so "oes on the boll."
r Orders from a distance promptly attended
to and work oi an Kinos iirmn -.M.r..
Sunbury, March 9,
REFORM YOUH HABITS.
Come yt, with garments tiare and wedy,
Ys uath'lors, wido'era and liuslonds too,
If, in the outward man you'r needy,
Ve aooa can make you ua gi.al a. new.
frill E subscriber respoctfullv informs his friends
I ... ... . i :n In tMs
and tlie puuuc, uiai no win iuiiiiihu
place, on the th oi April next, mo
TAILORING Bl'SIXESS .
in all its branches. He will be careful to see that
his work is made up in the best manner, and he
flatters himself, that he will be able to give entire
aatisfaction in point of cut, fit and style, as well
s in price. He therefore resueetfully solicits his
friends and the public gencrully to call and give
him a trial.
His shop is a new building in I uwn street be
low Weaver's Hotel.
JACOB O. BECKi
Bunbury, March 30, 1850, 6ia .
(Lati or t Fibm or Watkiwso tc Hall,)
, No. 21 South Second Street,
Philadelphia,
p ESPECTFULLY informs his old friends and
A customers, as well as the public generally,
that lie has opened an entire new stock of elegant
styles of .
Spring & Summer Cress Goods.
His assortment consists of the latest and most desi
rable style of English, (iermaii. French cV Ame
rican Goods. Such as Delaines', Tissues, B cra
pes. Silks, Lawns, Muslin., Shawls, lldkfi, Cloves,
iiidvrv varirtv of Dress and Fancy Goods.
rWi Manl'i 1, 18.'0 Iv
SELECT POETRY.
Wn give place to the following touchinn
Matizaa, upK0ieil by tho recent ilccrne of
Mrs. Osgood, with much pleasure, ami should
bo happy to hear from our fair correspondent
again. Eds. N. Y. Exp.
OX THE DEATH OF A POETESS.
BY MRS. L. G. ABF.LL.
I have heard th echo of fniry songs.
As they floated sweetly by ;
And my heart was filled with responsive
tones
To the "Poet's" melody.
She has wreathed the world with gems and
flowers,
They hanrr in cottage and hall;
And hei soft sweet music has gladdened
the hours
As it came alike to all.
But a change has come and a doleful knell
Sounds on tha May day nir,
And a form lies cold as a marble cell,
The spirit no lonrjer there!
The Artist Bride! The Poet Wife !
Oh the light of that eye is jrnne !
And mournfully quenched that flume of life,
Where genius so brilliantly bhouu !
The garlands of love are fallen to dust,
And the broken lyre is still ;
iMiiny a heart with ihnt blow is crushed;
Eyes with warm teats will fill !
But her name, set innnd with pearls of love,
Will live as the years eo by:
And her precious thoughts, like the soul
above,
Will NEVER NEVER DIE!
As the stars, when the moon has gently set,
Shine on with the clearer light,
So her glowing words, more radiant yet,
Will glitter increasingly bright.
We bid farewell to a child of eaith,
lint to welcome an nneel in heaven ;
The same sweet spirit that hero had birth,
To tlie seraph band is given.
Select SaU.
GTJEEN SIMlTtAMIS.
IlY JIASSEXICS, A GKRMAX JKSllT, 1657.
"Of all my wives," said King: Ninus to
Semitamis, "it is you 1 love best, None
have charms and graces like you, and for
you I would willingly resign them all."
"Let the kin?: consider well what he
says," replied Seiniramis. ' What il I were
to take lii in at his word ?"
"Do so," returned the monarch : "while
beloved by yo'.i, lam indifferent toothers."
"so, then, il 1 asked it," said be.miran:i3,
"you would banish all your other wives
and love me alone? 1 should be alone
your consort, the partaker of your power,
and queen ot Assyria !"
ljueen of Assyria! Are you not so al
ready," said IS"inus, "since vou rein by
your beauty over ilsking?"
".No, no," answered his lovely misfress;
"I am at present only a slave whom you
love. 1 reign not ; I merely charm.
When 1 give an order, you are consulted
before I am obeyed."
"And to reign, then, you think so great
a pleasure 1"
'V es, to one who has never experienced
it."
"And do you wish, thpn, to experience
it ? Would you like to reign a few days
in my place?" .
"Take care, Oking! do not offer too
much."
"No, I repeat it," said the captivated
monarch. "Would you like (or one dav,
to be sovereign mistress of Assyria? If you
would, 1 consent to it."
"And all which I command, then, be
executed ?"
"Yes, I will resign to you, for one en
tire day, my power and my golden scep
tre." "And when shall this he?"
"To-morrow, if you like."
"1 do," said Semiramis; and she let her
head fall upon the shoulder of the kinsr,
like a beautiful woman asking pardon for
some caprice which has been yielded to.
The next morning Semiramis called her
women, and commanded them to dress her
magnificently. On her head she wore a
crown of precious stones, and appeared
thus before Ninus, who, enchanted with
her beauty, ordered all the officers of the
palace to assemble in the state chamber,
and his golden sceptre to be brought from
the treasury. He then entered the cham
ber, leading Semiramis by the hand. All
prostrated themselves before the aspect of
the King, who conducted Semiramis to the
throne, and seated her upon it. Then or
dering the whole assembly to rise, he an
nounced to the court that they were to
obey, during the whole day, Semiramis as
himself. So savincr, hB took up the golden
sceptre, and placing it in the hands of Se
miramis, "Queen," said he, "I commit to you the
emblem of sacred power ; take it, and com
mand with sovereign authority. All here
are vour slaves, and I myself am nothing
more than your servant for the whole of
this day. Whoever shall be remiss in exe
cuting your orders, let him be punished as
it he hud disobeyed the commands of the
king."
Having thus spoken, the king knelt down
before Semiramis, who gave bim, with a
smile, her hand to kiss. The courtiers then
passed in succession, each making oath to
execute blindly the orders of Semiramis.
When the ceremony was finished, tho king
made her his compliments, and asked her
how she had managed to po through with
it with so grave and majegtical an air.
"While they were promising to obey
me," said Semiramis, 'I was thinking what
I should command each of them to do. I
have but one day of power, and I will em
ploy it well."
The king laughed at this reply. Semi
rumus appeared more piquante and amiable
than ever.
"Let us see," said Ninus, "how will you
continue your part. By what orders will
you begin ?"
"Let the secretary of the king approach
my throne," said Semiramis, in a loud
voice.
The secretary approached, two slaves
placed a little table before him.
"Write," said Semiramis : " 'Under pen
ally of death, the governor of the citadel of
Babylon is ordered to yield up the com
mand ol the citadel to him who shall bear
to him this order.' Fold this order, seal it
with the king's seal, and deliver to me this
decree. Wnte now, 'Under penalty of
death, the governor of the slaves of the
palace is ordered to resign the command of
the slaves into the hands of the person who
shall present to him this order.' Fold it,
seal it with the king's seal, and deliver to
me this decree. Write again, 'Under pen
alty of death, the general of the army en
camped under the walls of Jiabylon is or
dered to resign the command of the army
to him who shall be the bearer of this or
der.' Fold, seal and deliver this decree to
me."
She took the three orders thus dictated,
and put them in her bosom. The whole
court was struck with consternation ; the
king himself was surprised.
"Listen," said Semiramis. "In twa
hours hence let oil the officers of the state
come and offer mo presents, as is the cus
tom on the accession of new princes, and
let a festival be prepared for this eveninsr.
Now let all depart. Let my faithful ser
vant, Ninus, alone remain. I have to con
sult him upon affairs of state."
When all the rest had gone out, "You
see," said Semiramis, "that I know how to
play the queen."
-Mnus laughed.
"My beautiful queen," said he, "you play
your part to astonishment. But il your ser
vant may dare to question vou, what
would vou do with the orders you have dic
tated ?
"I should be no longer queen, were I
obliged to give account of mv actions.
Nevertheless, this was my motive. 1 have
a vengeance to pxecute against the three
officers whom these orders menace."
"Vengeance, and wherefore?"
"The first, the governor of the citadel, is
one-eyed, and frightens me every time I j
meet litm: the second, the chief of the!
slaves, I hale because he threatens me with '
rivals; the third, the general of the armv. !
priveg me too often of your company :
you are constantly in the camp."
this reply, in which caprice and flatterv
were mingled, enchanted Ninus. j
"Good," said he, laughing. "Here are ,
the t! tree first officers of the empire dimsis- '
sed for very sufficient reasons."
The gentlemen of the court now came :
to present their gifts to the queen. Some ,
gave precious stones, others of a lower
rank, flowers and fruits, and the slaves, i
having nothing to give, gave nothing. !
Among these last were the three young !
brothers, who had come from the Caucasus
with Semiramis, and had rescued the cara-
van, in which the women were, from an
enormous tiger. W hen they passed the
throne, :
"And you," said she to the three broth- :
ers, "have you no present to rr.aKe your
queen?" !
"No other," replied the first, Zopire,
"than my life to defend her." j
"None other," replied the second, Arta-
ban, "than mv sabre against her enemies."
"None other," replied the third, Assar,
"than the respect and admiration which i
her presence inspires."
"Slaves," said Semiramis, "it is you who '
have made the most valuable presents of
the whole court, and I will not be ungrate- j
ful. You who have offered me your sword
against my enemies, take this order, carry !
it to the general of the army encamped un
der the walls of Babylon, give it to him,
and see what he will do for you. You
who have off-red me your life for my de
fence, take this order to the governor of the
citadel, and see what he will do for you.
And you, who offered me the respect and I
admiration which my presence inspires, !
take this order to the commandant of the ':
palace, and see what will be the result." j
Never had Semiramis displayed so much '
gaiety, so much lolly and so much grace, j
and never was Ninus so captivated. Nor
were her charms lessened in his eyes, when
a slave, not having executed properly an
insignificant order, she commanded his head
to be struck off, which was immediately
done.
Without bestowing a thought on this tri
vial matter, Ninus still continued to con
verse with Semiramis till the evening and
the fete arrived. When she entered the
wloon which had been prepared for the oc
casion, a slave brought her a plate in which
was the head of the decapitated eunuch.
" 'Tis well," said she, after having ex
amined it. "Place it on a stake in the
court of the palace, that all may see it, and
be you there on the spot to proclaim to
every one, that the man to whom this head j
belonged, lived three hours ago, but that
having disobeyed my will, his head was
separated from his bod)'." I
The fete was magnifyrenl; a sumptuous
banquet was prepared in the gardens, and
Semiramis received the honiage of all with
a grace and majesty perfectly regal ; she
continually turned to, and conversed with
Ninus, rendering him the most distinguished
honor. "You are," said she, "a foreign
king come to visit me in my palace; I
must make your visit agreeable to you."
Shortly after the banquet was served,
Semiramus confounded and ' reversed all
ranks. Ninus was placed at the bottom of
the table. He was the first to laugh at this
caprice ; and the court, following his ex
ample allowed themselves to be placed
without murmuring, according to the will
of the queen. She seated near herself the
three brothers from the Caucasus.
"Are my orders executed?" she demand,
ed of them.
"Yes," they replied. .
The fete was very gay. A slave having,
by the force of habit, served the king first,
Semiramus had him beaten with rods. His
cries mingled with the laughter of the
guests. Every one was inclined to merri
ment. It was a comedy, in which each
played his part. Toward the end of the
repast, when wine had added to the general
gaiety, Semiramus rose from her elevated
seat, nnd said "My lords, the treasurer of
the empire has read me a list of those who
this morning have brought me their gifts of
congratulation on my joyful accession to
the throne. One grandee alone of the
court has failed to bring his gift."
"Who is it?" cried Ninus. "lie must
be punished severely."
"Jt is you yourself, my lord you who
speak. What have you given to the queen
this morning?"
iinus rose, and came with a smiling
countenance to whisper something in the
ear of the queen. "The queen is insulted
by her servant," exclaimed Semiramis.
"I embrace your knees to obtain my par
don. Pardon me, beautiful queen," said he,
"pardon me." And he added, in a lower
tone, "I would that thisce were finished."
"You wish, then, tliat I should abdi
cate ?" said Semiramus. "But no I have
still two hours to reign ;" and at the same
time she withdrew her hand, which the
king was covering with kisses. "I pardon
not," Mid she, in a loud voice, "such an in
sult on the part of a slave. Slave, prepare
thyselt to die."
"Silly child that thou art," said Ninus,
still on his knees, "yet I give way to thy
folly : but patience, thy reign will soon be
over."
"You will not then be angry," said she,
in a whisper, "at something I am going to
order at this moment?"
"No," said he.
"Slaves," said she aloud, "seize this man
that Ninus."
Ninus, smiling, put himself into the hands
of the slaves.
"Take him out of the saloon, lead him
into the court of the seraglio, prepare eve
rything for his death, and wait my orders."
The slaves obeyed, and Ninus followed
them, laughing, into the court of the serag
lio. They passed by the head of the diso
beying eunuch. Then Semiramis placed
herself on a balcony. Ninus had suffered
his hands' to be tied.
"Hasten to the fortress, Zopire: vou to
the camp, Artaban ; Assar, do you secure
all the gates in the palace."
These orders wire given ill a whisper,
and executed immediately.
"Beautiful queen," said Ninns, laughing,
"this comedy only wants its denouement;
pray let it be a prompt one."
"I will," said Semiramis. "Slaves, re
collect the eunuch strike!"
They struck. Ninus had hardly time to
utter a cry when his head fell upon the
pavement; the smile was still upon his lips.
"Now I am queen of Assyria," exclaim
ed Semiramis, "and perish every one, like
the eunuch and like Ninus, who dares diso
bey my orders."
Rl'INS OK AN A.NCIEST CaUFORNH ClTV.
Antiquarians will be deeply interested in the
discovery of vast regions ef ancient ruins
near San Diego, and within n day's march of
tli-s Pacific Ocean at the head of the (rulf of
California. Portions of temples, dwellings,
lofty stone pyramids, (seven of these within
a mile square,) and massive granite rings or
circular walls around venerable trees, col
lumiis and blocks of hieroglyphics, all spenk
of sumo ancient race of men, now forever
gono, their history actually unknown to any
of the existing families of mankind. In some
points, lliese ruins resemble the recently dis
covered cities of Palenque, &e., near the
Atlantic or Mexican Golf coast; in others,
the ruins of ancient Egypt; in others, again
Ihn mouutiienlii, of PliannicJ, and yet in ma
ny features they differ from all that I have
referred to. I observe that the discoverers
deem them to be antedeluvian, while the
piesent Indians have a tradition of a civilized
nation, which their forefathers utterly de
stroyed. The region of the ruins is called by
the Indians, the Valley of Mystery."
Didn't Want to Quarrel There is a
noted mail contractor in Ramsey, N. 11., who
can tell as big a story as most of them, and
who possesses one ot the most accommoda
ting dispositions in the world.
"I was passing thiuugh New Jersey," said
he, "a few years since, and there came by
us in the air, a (lock ol crows nine miles long,
and so thick was tho flock, you could'nt see
the sun lor 'em."
The contractor told this in a tavern, where
several persons were standing about, and one
of them a coarse limbed, heavy featured
son of the Granite State ventured to query
the correctness of the assertion.
,:Ilow long did you say, naburV'
"Nine miles, sir."
"Don't believe il," was the reply;
"Wal, look 'ere you," said the contractor,
"you're a stranger, and I dont want ter quar
rel with yer So, to please you, I'll lake off
a quaitor of a mile from the thinnest part !"
The stranger was perfectly satisfied.
Counterfeit. Spurious or' altered notes
of the denominations of SS's, t lO's, and 20's,
purporting to be issued by the Bank of Delaw
ware county, are in circulation. The vig
nette represents Mercury offeiing a bag of
coin to a female, who holds a key in her
hand. At her side is a winged lion, on an
iron chest. ,
Why is a fire engine like a tragedian ?
Because llioy both spout.
ittinncoota vtemtorn.
Prom the Pennsylvania TelcgrnpH.j
ORIGINAL SKETCH
OF THE
litsToitY axd nitor.rtAPiiT
or
MINXES OTA T E RI11TO R Y.
r.Y DR. THOMAS FOSTER.
Number 3.
TUP. SOIL AND ITS FARMING CAPACITY.
It is well known that the organic or vege
table matter of the soil is the portion which
chiefly communicates its fertilizing qualities
to crops; and that the salts which also enter
into its composition, are considered by die
mists, ns its stimulating ingredients or in
other words, that the different salts in any
soil, exert upon the organic matter a chemi
cal action, nnd contribute to regulate nnd fa
cilitate the process of nutrition. Submitting
it to tjiese tests therefore, nod it will be per
ceived that the soil of Minnesota possesses
the principal essential elementsof fertility.
Besides this, it has been shown, that al
most in proportion to the specific lightness of
soils is its richness, and its capacity for the
culture of every species of culinary vegetable
nnd small grains ; nnd it has been observed
likewise, that the power of absorption is gen
erally in proportion to the amount of organic
matter nnd the lightness of the soil. Lands
possessing this power in a considerable de
gree, readily nb.Joib the dew in dry weather,
and in wet weather do not suffer the super
fluous rain to accumulate on the surface
and these qualities are accordingly especial
characteristic of the lands of Minnesota.
Another view of the producing capacity of
the soil of the Territory, is obtained by par
ticular 'analysis of the principal rocks whose
decayed ntoms compose it. The maznesian
limestone, for instance, contains from 35 to 40
per centum of carbonate of magnesia; on
the average, from 18 to 20 per cent, of pure
magnesia; and by mere solution in sulphuric
acid, is capable of yielding no less than 120
parts of crystalized sulphate of magnesia,
(epsom sails,) nnd sixty parts of gypsum or
plaster, (anhydrous sulphate of lime.) from
every SUO parts of the toek. The lime of its
composition, nlso, coming in contact wilh the
qmtrtngn nnd gianlic sands of the soil, nnd
assisted by the atmosphere, nets chemically
upon the dissolving out a portion of thpir si
lica, and setting free likewise, in liberal quan
tities, potash and soda: while the phosphates
are furnished to the soil by the decomposition
of the marine shells interspersed through all
the limestones of the region, especially in the
shell or fussiliferoiis limestone.
Thus, it will be observed, that for vhent.
in which lime, the silicate of the potassh, and
the phnsphales, me mainly necessary; for
oats, which consumes so largely of potass,
magnesia, anil lime, along; with silicia; for
rye, whose food is the same as for w heat, but
with less lime, more potass, ami a smaller
amount of the phosphates; for corn, that
great feeder upon potass, soda, lime, magne
sia and the phosphates; for buckwheat, in
which lime, potash and silicia are such hea
vy ingredients: for all these nnd more, the
soil of ihe Tenitniy, from its chemical con
stituents, i apparently happily adapted.
But climate, the lay of the land, and the
manner in which it is vatered and drained, nre
scarcely less important in securing practical
results in cultivation, than the mere nbstnict
chemical elements of the soil But equally
by the character of the first, as by the nature
of the last named requisites, the farmer in
Minnesota is guarantee! success in his labors.
For, cold ns it is in winter, it is a dry cold,
with but lillln wind, wiihont any of those al
ternate freezings anil lliawings that are so
severe upon vegetation in fall ami spring in
oilier portions of the United States. The first
frost, fur instance, of the past fall of 1849,
which injured tender garden vegetation, such
as the cucumber, tomato, and pumpkin vines,
was not until the 6th of October. A month
before this, early in September, frosts had
entirely suspended garden vegetation in the
region of Southern Wisconsin and Noilhern
lllinuis, two and three hundred miles farther
south.
In the spring, the streams of the Territory
may be ice-bound later, and vegetation slow
er to begin than elsewhere. Yet, finally,
when the bunds of winter art unloosed, they
are snapped suddenly, und nre not again uni
ted. In other words, in the spring uf Min
nesota, there it little uf the transition state
winter ends and summer begins almost at
once vegetation rushes forward with a riv
pidity that soon makes up lor lost time and
farmers there Snlfer scaicely any of those
drawbacks incident to farming in the older
States, occasioned by "winter lingering in the
lap of spring" by the weather at one period
encouraging vegetation by genial smiles, to
put forth itsstimmer livery ; when at another,
a treacherous frost comes, nipping and des
troying its first buddings. Tho weather of
Minnesota, unlike this, is of a more decided
character. It can be depended upon. It is
always one thing or ihe other. It is either
hot or cold, and not both in the same brealh
Farmers everywhere will readily estimate
the advantages of this state of thing.
In desoribing the "lay of the land," it may
be most properly divided into prairie, oak
o;miitrJ,and lake and swamp mtadovs. The
two former are high and undulating, and tho
latter low and level. The jtrujrin are much
smaller generally, than those farther south in
Illinois and Iowa; and1 the proportion of oak
and hard wood timber, scattered over the stir
face of the land, It greater: while water is
eveiywhere plenty. Locations can nearly
alwnys be mnde so as to secure a sufficiency
of timber for fencingand fuel. For building
(or even fencing) purposes, the great Pineries
around the heads of Ihe Upper Missis--i pi and
St, Croix rivers, furnish mi inexhaustible sup
ply of heavy pine logs, which are floated
down to saw-mills convenient to the farming
cauntry, and there manufactured in lumber
for home or markets. In this feature alone,
a farmer settling in Minnesota would have no
slight advantage over the inhabitants of the
States, lying farther Bouth.
In regard to it'n(?r for farming purposes)
few lands nio more liberally snppli:;d wilh
this element in all its purity. The rivers of
the Territory are lor the most part navigable
canals, affording abundant facilities of inland
navigation and inter-communication.
But to her systeiri of Lal:es, large and small
from those hundreds of miles in circumfer
ence to ponds 10() feet in diameter nnd to
the springs flowingrom them, must the far
mer In Minnesota principally look for his
homestead supply.
These lakes dot the whole country over,
and hardly a farm could be opened on a quar
ter of section of land anywhere; that would
not border upon one of these beautiful sheets
of water, or possess wilhin its precincts one
or more of the little ponds referred to.
The small ns well as the large, are filled
with the purest, sweetest nnd most wholesome
of living water. Indeed, there is no stagnant
water in the country. A puddle in the mid
dle of a traveled road, in a rich black soil,
we have seen clear itself immediately and
become pure and limpid. Even the marshes
and tamarak swamps, which nre invariably
supplied from either some near or distant
lake, by it waters percolnting through the
sandy drift substratum, all contain pure wa
ter, that may be drank, not only with entire
impunity, in the heats of summer, but wilh
rolreshment, ns the writer of this has in per
son experienced. A siiriilarexperiment with
the swamp water of the lower country on the
Mississippi and Ohio, would be like drinking
in poison and ready made fever.
The practical results of farming in Minne
sota, so far ns tried, confirm the theoreti
cal anticipations :
First, as lo Indian Corn .'The following
extracts from newspapers published nt St.
Paul, the capital, will afford nn idea of its
adaptation to the soil and climate of Minne
sota :
"Gr.Er.N Cortx. Mr. Bass, of the St. Paul
House, regaled his boarders wilh an excellent
mess of green corn, yesterday. Wo believe
some of the article, has been on private tables
in our town heretofore this season, but this
is the first wo have seen at any of our hotels
Our neighbors three hundred miles south of
this are scarcely ahead of us in this respect."
The above extract is from the Minnesota
Register, of July 31, 1849. In. the same num
ber of the paper, tho '-Prospects of the Crops''
in I he Territory, are thus noticed :
"The com crop nil over tho Territory, so
far as we have learned, looks remaikablv
fine and promises nn abundant yield. Any
persons residing in a more southern region,
who nre skeptical in regard to the rapacity
of Minnesota to procure corn, had betierconie
up and take a look at some of our luxuriant
fields. It is now in tassel, ami will have n
bundant time lo ripen before frost. Potatoes
also look lemarkably well. The season has
been very favorable for their growth. This
crop will yield upon our soil 250 nnd 300
bushels to the acre, Good potatoes have been
selling in St. Paul this season, at one dollar
per bushel."
The Minnesota Pioneer, another paper at
St. Paul, dated the 2d of August. 1S49, con
tains tlie following article :
"Corn Mr. Hoyt. of St. Paul, has presen
ted lis wjth some fine largo ears of corn,
roasting ears raised upon the sod that is. the
first crop on the ground. The soil, Mr. Iloyt
says, on which this oorn grew, is of no belter
than second rate quality of land, being very
sandy, yet the corn is now standing upon it
12 ft. high. The world may be safely chal
lenged to produce a better soil than ours for
Indian corn; nnd yet corn sold here last win
ter for 81 per bushel, and will sell ns well
every winter for years, to supply the Indian
and lumber trade, and the wants of immi
grants." The writer of this sketch saw the com last
mentioned, both at its beginning and maturi
ty. We never beheld finer anywhere; and
it matured well before the frost. It was of
the southern variety of corn though the St.
Lawrence corn of Western New York, is pro
bably a better npecies to plant in Minnesota.
The next extract given below, is from the
Minnesota Chronicle mid Register of St. Paul,
under date of September 22nd, 1849, as fol
lows "Messrs. Burrisand Hone, of Point Doug
lass, left at the Secretary's office on Monday
last some vegetable products of their neigh
borhood which would astonish the natives of
nny country. The following is a list : Seve
ral ears of com, measuring 14 inches in length
The seed was planted on the 13lhdayof June
had the crop was just three months in com
ing to maturity and ripening. Spring Wheat,
grown from seed of the Black Sea species,
yielding forty bushtlt to the acre; sown on
the sixth of June, uud harvested about the
20th of August A head of cabbage, measur
ing 4 feet 6 inches in circumference. Seve.
ral oniont, grown from the seed this season,
measuring one foot in circumference.
"There is no richer Soil in the world, nor
a country better adapted lo all kinds of farm
ing, than the "Prairies" between hero and
Point Douglass. The facts given above in
regard to what it is capable of producirgi
will full v attest the truth of this isinark.''
The extraordinary specimens of vegetation
above mentioned, were examined by tho
writer. The corn was very fine. . The earl
were long, cob small, and gin ins large, firm
and ever, set in the rows The seed planted
was of the St. Lawrence Yellow flint variety.,
Tho wheat was plump and full, and product
extraordinarily heavy. The cabbage was
without any loose leaves, a cbhipW.t, solid
and round mass of vegetation, one foot and
six inches in diameter ! The onions were of
a.size that nearly mude ones eyes water to
look nt them.
The newspaper last quoted from, of the
provious date of September 15, 1(14, says:
"We have before us a lurnip, of the com
mon flat species, said to have been raised on
the farm of Councilltr Sturges, fifty miles
north of here, measuring thirty inches in cir
cumference. It is true, we have seen larger
tiiriiipi than this, but it should be recollect
ed, the growing season of this vegetable ii
now in its midst, and will not be over for
four or five weeks. Had it been suffered td
remain in the ground until cold weather, it
would probably have grown twice its present
size."
We would merely remark that; subsequent
ly lo the above date, we saw turnips as large
as this specimen, bought by the bushel, irt
the streets of St. Paul some ten or a dozen
completing the measure!
But all rsof crops succeed astonishingly in
the loose arid warm soil of the Territory. It
produces potatoes superior to any in the world
large, dry, very mealy, and finely flavored.
With this stable nnd necessary luxury, it
cannot be doubted that Minnesota will in
time supply the whole of the lower Missis
sippi valley, down to New Orleans. No
w here else can they be raised so good and
in such heavy crops to the acre, not even
in Maine.
Winter Wheat is yet to be tried. On tho
rolling uplands and oak openings, its success)
with proper cultivation, is more than proba
ble. It must be sowed early to allow the!
roots time to grow strong before winter ; and
it must be plowed in as deep as three and
four inches, to prevent its being (leaved out
by the frost. Spring wheat has succeeded
admirably, as before'stated.
For the raising of stock, Minnesota is well
calculated. The numerous natural meadows
besides the prairies, produce a succulent, nu
tritions, fine leaved grass, on which alone
rattle will fatten in summer, and keep
well on its hay in winter. We saw no leinf
kin; in the territory. The milk and butter
from the cattle thus fed on this natural grass,
is exceedingly rich and fine tasted, and
the yield of both these articles, is compara
tively great for each cow. In winter, cattle
stand the cold well, the atmosphere being ?o
dry; and there being little wind, they are
seldom put under shelter. They frequently
also, find green fond in the winter among the
nutritious rushes that abound on the margins
of some of tho lakes.
It has been well remarked, however, that
the raising of line, hardy, healthy, horses, for
the snuthorn nnd eastern markets; and espe
cially the growing of fine teooled sheep ; are
the branches of stock farming, from which
the territory and future slate of Minnesota, is
best calculated by its distant position, climate
and natural productions, and which would ba
most profitable.
But ul present there is, and will be for
years, a homo market for every thing the
fanneis can raise ; and cattle, horses, sheep
nnd su ine are among the importations that
are now profitable made from the lower States
to supply the demand in the territory.
The cultivation oi fruit in Minnesota, has
not received a great deal of attention as yet.
A few young npple trees have been planted,
but nre not in bearing. So well convinced,
however, are those who have had experience
in this branch of culture elsewhere, that the
Territory is particularly adapted to fruit
pro win;:, and that the winters will not be an
obstacle to success, that already two nurse
lies are being laid nut nnd will be planted
in the suburbs ofSt. Paul in the present spring
of 1850.
Wild plums are native to the country and
likewise a species of apple.
The strawberry, rasbeny, dewberry and
blackberry, are iudigenious, and their vinej
almost carpet the prairies and oak openings.
Cranberries are found in great qualtftiea
in nearly every wet meadow. In some lo
calities they are very plentiful. No less
thai: 2500 barrels of this fruit were gathered
last full, by Indians and whites and shipped
down the river to St. Louis, where they
brought on the averngo $6 per barrel.
In r'garJ to tree fruits, it may be safely
asserted, that those kinds which succeed in
Wisconsin, where the cold is often down td
20 deg. below .ero, and even fower,' will
likewise answer for growing in Minnesota;
In a late number of the Albany Cultivator;
the experience of F. K. PhiEnit5, in the culti
vation of fruits hi Wisconsin, is thus given)
' Plums, Duane's Purple, Smith's Orleans,
Emerald Drop, Imperial Case, and Long
Scarlet, prove tolerably hardy. Hardiest Peart
Vibaui-ste, Flemmish Beauty, While Do
yenne, and Easter Reurre. The Barlett is
iniiisuiibly tender. Of Cherries, May-Duke,
Arch-Duke, and Downer, are hardiest. The
Clinton Grape is perfectly hardy the Isabel
la needs covering. Of Apples Early Har
vest, Keswick Codin, Dutchess of Oldenberg,
Drap d'Or, Famuese,. Autumn Strawberry,
and Potnma Giii are hardy, ami maintain
their eastern reputation."
Peaches it is thought will succeed, to lira
ited extent, in favorable and shelleied loosw
lions, and w ith careful nursing the first tws
or ihuo )eai$of their gioatb.