AGRICULTURE. From the Monthly Genesse Farmer. THE FARMER'S DICTIONARY OF TERMS USED IN THE SCIENCE OF AGRICULTURE. Abrading. Abrading is a term applied by some agricultural writers to the crumbling down of earth from the effects of frost. This process is seen most on fall ploughed lands, and is an efficient agent in ameliorating and rendering fit for cultivation heavy or clay soils. Abrasion The wearing away, by running water, of earths, rocks, &c. the banks, or the bottom of the streams, and the result of which is the deposit of alluvium. Absorption. The process by which plants and animals are nourished is called absorption. In most plants this office is performed by the roots, and it is through the vessels called spongioles, with which the roots are terminated, that absorption takes place. In aquatic plants, the water which affords the nourishment is absorbed with facillity from every part of this surface. By causing the roots to imbibe colored liquid the general course of the map may be traced with considerable accuracy. Acids Are bodies that have usually a sour taste, and corrosive qualities. Some acids appear only in a fluid state, gaseous as carbonic acid, or liquid as sulphuric acid; others are crystalized, as the boraic, benzoic, &c. Of the acids, the only one that has much influence on vegetation is the carbonic. Acclimating. Most plants are endowed with a power of gradually accommodating themselves to the temperature or climate in which they are placed, and unless the change is at once great as to suspend their vital functions altogether. This process is called acclimating. Plants will bear removal better from a warm climate to one of the lower temperature, than from a cold to a warm one. As instances in plants, we may mention the potato, the bean, the melon, and among fruits the peach and apricot. The cucumber affords an instance of the effect of acclimation. It is grown in the open air at Cairo and at Petersburgh; at Carracas and at Quebec. Aeration. by a rotation of crops, or the application of such matters as shall prevent exhaustion, or restore fertility to such as have been improperly treated. The capability of the earth in affording food, when properly tilled, is but imperfectly understood. Now and then instances occur in which either by skill or accident these powers are deve owing to this loss of the organs of aeration, the fruit ne- After-grass Is the grass grown on meadows after they are mown. The usual practice among farmers is too feed this off by cattle or sheep, and in some cases so closely as to nearly destroy the roots of the grass. Unless the turf is close, and the meadow rich, it is better not to feed at all, or very lightly. For cropping after-grass, sheep are better than cattle, since, though their bite may be closer, they do not injure the roots with their feet like the former.If mown a second time for rowen, it is called after-math. After math. On rich meadows or where manure can be had in abundance, for top dressing, a second mowing may be justifiable, and the grass so cut, if well cured, is much relished and eaten with avidity by ewes, calves, and other animals that are apt to become poor under ordinary management. The practice of the second mowing however, like feeding, is not to be recommended on the whole; experience proving that the injury grass roots receive from mowing, is increased by the second cutting. Necessity alone can render after feeding or mowing justifable or proper. Agriculture. case may be done in others; and when agriculture is what it should be, when the tillage of the soil, and the application of proper manures shall be better understood, the results that now astonish will become common, and while the labor shall be diminished, the product will be vastly increased. DESULTORY SELECTIONS, Ludicrous Mistake. A great restraint is placed on the expression of public opinion throughout the Austrian dominions, but more in Austria proper than in Hungary. At Vienna, an Englishman in a cafe, was speaking to a friend about his partiality for tea, and observed, in the language of the country, "Ich liebe thee," or "I am fond of tea." One of the undress police, catching tndistictly the last three syllables, immediately accosted him, saying, "Sir, liberte is a word not to be uttered in Austria" In fact, as Napoleon decreed impossible to be excluded from the French language, so liberty is declared not to be in the Austrian. Namaqua Idea of the Sun. The sun, by some of the people of this benighted land, is considered to be a mass of fat, which descends nightly to the sea where it is laid hold of by the chief of a white man's ship, who cuts a portion of tallow off it, and giving it a kick, it bounds away, sinks under the wave, goes round below, and then comes up again in the east, next morning, its fat having again grown. The Farmer and his Peas. In the most extended use of this term, it is made to There is an important change affected on the sap of plants, by the action of light. It consists in the decomposition of carbonic acid gas, which is either brought to the leaves of plants by the sap, or absorbed directly from the atmosphere. The substance of all plants is mostly carbon, and as carbon in its common state, however minutely divided, is never taken up by the sap of plants, this most essential ingredient is obtained in the form of the carbonic gas, from which the oxygen is separated by the Science has within a few years done much in aid of leaves under the action of light, leaving the carbon rea- agriculture; not that many positive discoveries have in dy for assimilation, or conversion into vegetable fibre. the first place been made by the sciences, of which the That this process is performed by the green substance agriculturist has availed himself; but the cause of cerof the leaves or stem, is evident from the fact that if a tain results before known to the farmer, have been releaf is bruised or its vitality destroyed, it is no longer vealed by chemical or other researches, and thus the capable of decomposing carbonic gas in the light, or ab- means of more certainty and in many more cases of prosorbing oxygen in the dark. The necessity of this ducing the same results have been obtained. On this is aeration of sap for the purpose of ripening fruit, or ma-based the improved system of agriculture. Where the turing vegetation, may be seen in some fruit trees, the earths are not in due proportion, it is impossible to make plum for instance, in which an excessive quantity of or keep the soil in a productive state. The nature of the fruit causes a premature fall of the leaves, after which, earth, is now inquired into and their balance maintained what was awaiting himself. When about half way SELECT POETRY. From the Knickerbocker for February. But list, mortal, list! I will tell thee my tale: Yestermorn, I was wooing a young palm-grove, Far away on a surf-beaten isle of the ocean; And the night-flower peeped through her raven hair. I lifted a tress from her cold, cold face; (0, the magic of beauty, asleep on the dead!) Through the impress of sorrow a smile I could trace, And I mourned that no tears have the breezes to shed; So I kissed up the dew from her eye-lids, and fled; Yet methought as I breathed thro' the rose-scented bowers, And wooed with a whisper the passionate flowersFor a spell was upon me-that soulless would be, Ever after, their fragrance and beauty to me. From the east came dancing a sister breeze, And her song was of cataracts, rivers and rills, And blue lakes, endless and deep a- the seas, Of woodlands, savannas, and oak-studded hills, Where the wild dashing steed wheels and halts as he wills, And flings the white crest in a wreath on high? By moonlight I rushed up the Oregon mountains; But the crags give me back, with their evergreen shades, Are yonder the palm-crested isles of the sea?' I go where the skies and the zephrys are bland, And whisper my tale in its love-making bowers, THE TWO WISHES. I would I were a little brook And nought to do the livelong day, Or glide along, thro' meadows gay, Find nought to check my winding way, I would I were a little star, To sparkle through the night, Or ride upon its spirit car Through the bright realms of lightOr gather up yon fleecy cloud, That sleeps beneath the sky, And wrapp'd within its silvery shroud, Through boundless space to fly: View comets, with their fiery train, Swift through their orbits fly, And, thickly o'er the azure plain, See worlds come dancing by. While the sweet music of the spheres, As on they ceaseless roll, Should fall upon my ravished ears, And fill my raptured soul. The earthly part to earth will cling, And tires-oh never, never! LIFE'S SUNNY SPOT. It yet some spots of sunshine hath, The friend who weal and wo partakes, Who kindly soothes the heart that aches, The wife who half our burden bears, Who treasures every kindly word— The child who lifts at morn and eve, In whose bright eye young genius glows, Is fresh and pure as summer's rose- There's yet upon life's weary road, But still undimmed that spot will shine— WHEN I WAS IN MY PRIME. I mind me of a pleasant time- The pleasantest I've ever known, The year was in its sweet spring-tide, I've never heard such music since, I found by every hawthorn root- To pierce one through and through; And blackberries-so mawkish now- THE RICHMOND COUNTY MIRROR: A WEEKLY PAPER PRINTED ON STATEN ISLAND, DEVOTED TO SCIENCE, LITERATURE, & NEWS. THREE DOLLARS PER ANNUM. SELECT TALES. From the Knickerbocker. LOVE IN A LAZZARET. "the cell Haunted by Love-the earliest oracle." THE surface of the sea assumed the crystalline quietude of a summer calm. The dangling sails flapped wearily; the sun slept with a fierce and dead heat upon the scorching deck; and even the thin line of smoke which rose from Stromboli, appeared fixed like a light cloud in a breezeless sky. I sought relief from the monotonous stillness and offensive glare, by noting my fellow passengers, who seemed to have caught the quiescent mood of surrounding nature, and resigned themselves to listnessness and silence. Delano was lolling upon a light settee, supporting his head upon his hand, and with halfelosed eyes, thinking, I well knew, of the friends we had left, a few hours before, in Sicily. Of all Yankees I ever saw, my friend most rarely combined the desirable peculiarities of that unique race with the superadded graces of less inflexible natures. For native intelligence and ready perception, for unflinching principle and manly sentiment, his equal is seldom encountered; but the idea of thrift, the eager sense of self-interest, and the iron bond of local prejudice, which too often disfigure the unalloyed New England character, had been tempered to their just proportion, in his disposition, by the influence of travel and society. On the opposite side of the deck, sat a young lady, regarding with a half-painful and half-devoted expression, a youth who was leaning against the companion-way, ever and anon glancing at the small yellow slippers that encased his feet, while he complacently arranged his luxuriant mustachios. These two were affianced; and by a brief observation of their mutual bearing, I soon inferred the history of the connection, and subsequent knowledge confirmed my conjecture. warmest and richest attributes of their natures are thus | of travel. In the present instance, a score of people was unceremoniously sacrificed to some scheme of heartless collected on board the same little craft, and destined to policy, it is deemed wonderful that in the artificial socie-pass several days in company, strangers to each other, ty thus formed, principle and fidelity do not abide! yet alike endowed with common susceptibilities and comWhat is so sacred in the estimation of youth, as sponta- mon wants; what truer philosophy than to meet freely ncous sentiment? And when this is treated with cold on the arena of our common humanity? Fortunately, sacrilege, what hallowed ground of the heart remains on we had all been long enough abroad to be prepared to which Virtue can rear her indestructible temple? The adopt this course, and accordingly it was interesting to elder children, however, are generally the victims of the remark how soon we were at ease, and on the friendly eonventional system, and when its main object is accom- footing of old acquaintances. There was a general emplished, the others are often left to the exercise of their ulation to be disinterested. One vied with the other in natural freedom. With this consoling reflection, I turn-offices of courtesy, and even the incorrigible demon of ed to the second sister, who was reading near by, under the mal sur mer was speedily exorcised by the magic the shadow of a light umbrella which a young French- wand of sympathy. I was impressed, as I had often man held over her head. Never were two countenan-been before, by the fact that the claims of a foreigner ces more in contrast than those of the donna Paulina seemed to be graduated, in the estimation of the natives, and Monsieur Jacques. There were certain indica- by the distance of his country. Delano and myself, tions in the play of her mouth and expression of her when known to be Americans, soon became the special eye that told, youthful as she was, that the morning of recipients of kindness, and the ten days at sea passed her life had been familiar with some of those deep trials away like a few hours. We walked the deck, when it of feeling, the effect of which never wholly vanishes was sufficiently calm, with our fair companions, in from the face of woman. His physiognomy evinced nei- friendly converse; and leaned over the side, at sunset, ther intelligence nor amiability, and yet one might study to study the gorgeous cloud-pictures of the western sky. it forever, and not feel that it was animated by a soul. We traced together the beautiful scenery of the isles in Upon a mattrass beneath the covering, her shoulders the Bay of Naples, and the night air echoed with the propped up by pillows, and her form covered with a silk chorus of our songs. And when blessed by the mooncloak, reposed the youngest, and by far the most lovely light, which renders transcendant the beauty of these of the sisters. Angelica had seen but sixteen summers regions, our vigils were interrupted only by the rising notwithstanding the maturity of manner and expression sun. Even when the motion of the vessel interfered so perceptible above the child-like demeanor of girlhood. with our promenade, forming a snug circle under the Her dark hair lay half unloosened around one of the lee, we beguiled many an evening with those gamesome sweetest brows, and relieved the rich bloom of her com trifles so accordant with the Italian humor and vivacity. plexion, as she dozed, unconscious of the admiring gaze Two of these sports, I remember, were prolific occasions of a Neapolitan officer, who stood at her feet. I had of mirth. The president appoints to each party an adscarcely time to notice the exquisite contour of her fea-vocate, and then proposes certain queries or remarks to tures, when she started at an observation of her sister, the different individuals. It is a law of the game that and the smile and voice with which she replied, redou- no one shall reply, except through his advocate. But as led the silent enchantment of her beauty. At a dis- the conversation becomes animated, it becomes more and tance from us all, as if to complete the variety of the more difficult to observe the rule; many are taken off The Prince of had paid his addresses to the eld- party, stood an Englishman, whose folded arms and their guard by the ingenuity of the president, and comest daughter of the Duke de Falco, with a view of re- averted gaze sufficiently indicated that for the time be-mit themselves by a gratuitous reply, or neglect of their plenishing his scanty purse; and by dint of some ac-ing, he had enveloped himself in the forbidding mantle clients, and are accordingly obliged to pay a forfeit. Ancomplishments and much plausibility, had succeeded not of his nation's reserve. other is called dressing the bride. The president asonly in obtaining the promise of her hand, but in win- At sunset, a fresh breeze sprang up, and the spirits of signs to all some profession or trade, and after a prelimining the priceless, but alas! unrecompensed boon of her our little party rose beneath its invigorating breath. Inary harangue, which affords abundant opportunity for affections. Often, in the course of our voyage, when I have often had occasion to observe the admirable facilimarked her sudden look of disappointment, when she ty with which travellers in Europe assimilate. It has sought in vain for a responsive glance from her betroth- always struck me as delightfully 'human.' One may ed, I could not but realize the fruitful source of that cor- traverse tho whole extent of the United States, and all ruption of manners which characterizes the island of the while feel himself a stranger. If a fellow-traveller their birth. And not unfrequently, as I saw the paren- engage him in conversation, it is probably merely for the tal pride with which the old man caressed his children, purpose of extracting information, satisfying curiosity or have I wondered that he could ever bring himself to sa- ascertaining his opinions on politics or religion, subjects crifice their best happiness to ambitious designs. Yet so intrinsically selfish that the very idea of them is suffithe history of every European family abounds in such cient to repel any thing like the cordial and frank interdark episodes. The daughters of the south open their change of feeling. This is perhaps one reason why our eyes upon the fairest portion of the universe, and during people have such a passion for rapid journeys. One of the unsophisticated hours of early youth, their affections, | the chief pleasures of a pilgrimage is unknown to them, precociously developed by a genial clime and an ardent and it is not wonderful that men should wish to fly thro' On arriving at our destination, we were condemned temperament, become interested in the first being who that worst of solitudes, the descrt of a crowd. In the old to perform a quarantine of fourteen days, according to appeals to their sympathies or captivates their imagina- world, however, and especially in its southern regions, it the absurd practice but too prevalent in Mediterranean tion. The claims of these feelings, the first and deep-is deemed but natural that those who are thrown togeth- ports. Seldom, however, are such annunciations so est of which they have been conscious, if at all opposed er within the precincts of the same vessel or carriage, camplacently received by voyagers wearied of the conto previous projects of personal aggrandizement, are should maintain that kindly intercourse which so great-finement of ship-board, and cager for the variety and scorned by their natural guardians. And yet, when the ly enhances the pleasure and lessens the inconvenience freedom of the shore. In spite of the exclamations of the display of wit, calls upon his hearers to make a contribution to the bridal vestments appropriate to their several occupations. As these are any thing but adapted to furnish such materials, their gifts are incongruous in the extreme; and the grotesque combination of apparel, thus united upon a single person, is irresistibly ridiculous. The point of the game is to keep from laughing, which, from the ridiculous images and odd associations presented to the fancy, is next to impossible. The consequence is, a series of penances, which, by the ready invention of the president, who is generally selected for his quick parts, in their turn augment the fun to which this curious game gives birth. ner so amiable as to disarin jealousy, and so impartial as to baffle the acutest on-looker who strove to divine her real sentiments. There is a power of expression and of manner peculiar to women, more potent and variable than any attribute vouchsafed to men; and were it not so of ten despoiled of its charm by affection we should more frequently feel its wonderful capacity. In the daughters of southern climes, at that age when "existence is all a feeling, not yet shaped into a thought," it is often manifested in singular perfection, and never have I seen it more so than in Angelica. It was a lesson in the art of love, worthy of Ovidius himself, to mark the course of Of all vices, he appeared to regard intemperance with the rival three. Such ingenious tricks to secure her the greatest disgust, and was evidently much pained to arm for the evening walk; such eager watching to obsee the ladies of our party promenading the court un-tain the vacant seat at her side; such countless expediveiled. disappointment which were uttered, it was easy to trace | ory, the way to enjoy life was to go through its appoint- The place of our confinement consisted of a paved square, or rather oblong, surrounded with stone buildings. Within the narrow limits of this court, were continually moving to and fro the occupants of the adjacent rooms, stepping about with the utmost caution, now and then starting at the approach of some fellow-prisoner, and crying largo, as the fear of contact suggested an indefinite prolongation of their imprisonment. Occasionally old acquaintances would chance to meet, and in the joy of mutual recognition forget their situation, hasten toward each other with extended hands, and perhaps be prevented from embracing only by the descending staff of the watchful guard. It was diverting to watch these manœuvres, through our grated windows; and every evening we failed not to be amused at the in-gathering, when the chief sentinel, armed with a long bamboo, made the circuit of the yards, and having collected us, often with no little difficulty, like so many stray sheep, ushered us, with as much gravity as our sarcasms would permit, to our several quarters, and locked us up for the night. "Are your wives beautiful?" I inquired. "In my view they are lovely, and that is sufficient," he replied. ents to arouse her mirth, amuse her with anecdote, or interest her in conversation; and such inexpressible triumph when her eye beamed pleasantly upon the successful competitor. The Neapolitan cast burning glances I asked him if they resembled any of the ladies, who of passion, whenever he could meet her gaze, quoted frequented the walk. “It would be a sin," he answered, "for me to gaze upon them, and never having done so, I cannot judge." In answer to my request that he would afford me an opportunity of forming my own opinion, by allowing me a sight of his wives "Signor," he replied, with much solemnity, "when a Frank has once looked upon one of our women, she is no longer fit to be the wife of a Turk." And he appears to have acted strictly on this principle, for when the custode abruptly entered his room, as they were all seated at breakfast, Mustapha suddenly caught up the coverlid from the bed, and threw it over their heads. Petrarch, and soothed his hopeless moments by dark looks, intended to alarm his brother gallants and awaken her pity. The Frenchman, on the contrary, was all smiles, constantly studying his toilet and attitude, and laboring, by the most graceful artifices, to šeseinate the fancy of his lady-love. The Yankee evinced his admiration by an unassuming but unvarying devotion. If Angelica dropped her fan, he was ever the one to restore it; was the evening chill, he always thought of her shawl, and often his dinner grew cold upon his neglected plate, while he was attending to her wants. One day her album was circulated. Don Carlo, the Neapolitan, wrote a page of glowing protestations, asserting his inextinguishable love. Monsieur Jacques, in the neatest There is a law in physics called the attraction of co-chirography, declared that the recent voyage had been hesion, by which the separate particles composing a body the happiest in his life, and his present confinement more are kept together till a more powerful agency draws them delightful than mountain liberty, in the company of so into greater masses. Upon somewhat such a principle, perfect a nymph. Delano simply declared that the I suppose it was, that the parties convened in the Lazza- sweet virtues of Angelica sanctified her beauty to his ret, (darting from one another in zig-zag lines, like insects memory and heart. on the surface of a pool,) were brought into more inti- There are some excellent creatures in this world, mate companionship, from being denied association with whose lives seem to conduce to every body's happiness those around, except at a respectable distance, and un- but their own. Such a one was the Donna Paulina.The variety of nations and individuals thus congrega- der the strictest surveillance. Our company, at least, Affable and engaging, and with a clear and cultivated ted within such narrow bounds, was another cause for was soon established on the strictest terms of a family, mind, she lacked the personal loveliness of her sisters, diversion. Opposite our rooms, a celebrated prima don- and the indifferent observer could scarcely have augured and yet rejoiced in it as if it were her own. No body na sat all day at her embroidery, singing, sotto voce, the from appearances that we were but a knot of travellers, could remain long in the society of the two without permost familiar opera airs. Over the fence of the adjoin-brought together by the vicissitudes of travelling. And ceiving that the confidence between them was perfect ing court, for hours in the afternoon, leaned a Spanish now the spirit of gallantry began to exhibit itself anew; | and founded on that mutual adaptation which we bul cavalier, one of the adherents of Don Carlos whom mis- in the Neapolitan, with passionate extravagance-in the fortunes had driven into exile. A silent figure, in a Frenchman with studied courtesies, and in the Yankee Greek dress, lounged at the door beneath us, and at the with quiet earnestness. At dinner, the first day, the extremity of the court, a Turk sat all the morning in latter took care to keep in the back ground till most of grave contemplation. With this personage we soon the party had selected seats, and then, seemingly by the opened a parley in Italian, and I was fond of cliciting his merest accident, glided among the ladies, and secured a ideas, and marking his habits, He certainly deserved | post between the two younger sisters. This successful to be ranked among nature's philosophers. After break- manœuvre so offended the Englishman that he retired fast, he regularly locked the door upon his wives, and from the field in high dudgeon, and never paid any more took his station upon the stone seat, where hour after attention to the fair Italians than what civility required. hour, he would maintain so motionless a position as to The remaining aspirants only carried on the contest the wear the semblance of an image in Eastern costume.- mere warmly. I was obliged almost momentarily to turn His face was finely formed, and its serious aspect and aside to conceal an irresistible smile at their labored podark moustachios, were relieved by a quiet meekness of liteness toward each other, and the show of indifference He appeared to consider himself the passive to the object of their attentions which each in turn asceeature of a higher power, and deemed it the part of sumed when slightly discomfitted. Nor could I wonder true wisdom to fulfil the requisite functions of nature, at the cagerness of the pursuit when I beheld that loveand for the rest, take things as they came, nor attempt ly creature seated at her book, or work, in a simple but to stem the tide of fate, except by imperturbable gravity tasteful dress of white, and watched the play of a counand perpetual smoking. He assured me that he consid- tenance in which extreme youth and modesty were blent ered this a beautiful world, but that the Franks (as he in strangely sweet contrast with the repose of innotermed the Europeans) made a vile place of it by their cence; the vividness of beauty and talent, so rare and wicked customs and silly bustle. According to his the-heart-touching. I could not too, but wonder at the man manner. occasionally behold, even in the characters of those al lied by the ties of a common parentage. To this kind hearted girl I discovered that the lovers had separately applied for counsel and suport in the prosecution o their suits. Don Carlo begged her to warn her siste against the advances of the Frenchman, as he knew ho was a thorough hypocrite; and Monsieur Jacques re turned the compliment by assuring her that the Neapoli tan was by no means sufficiently refined and accom plished to be the companion of so delicate a creature a Angelica. Young Jonathan, with a more manly poli cy, so won the esteem of Paulina by dwelling upon the excellencies of her sister, that she became his unwaver ing advocate. I confess that as the appointed period c our durance drew to a close, I began to feel anxious a to the result of all this dallying with the tender pas sion. I saw that Monsieur was essentially selfish in his court and that vanity was its basis. It was eviden that the Neapolitan was stimulated by one of those at dent and sudden partialities, which are as temporary a the flashes of a volcano, and often as capricious. It truth, there was not enough of the spirit of sacrifice, oi vital attachment, in their love to warrant the happines Albumen. with a metallic base combined with oxygen, as potash, soda, and lithia; 2, that which contains no oxygen, hydrogen or carbon, as aconita, circuta, morphia, &c. Alluvion. of the gentle being whose outward charms alone had captivated their senses. Delano, I knew, was sincere. Albumen is a colorless, insipid fluid, coagulating at a and my fears were that his future peace was involved in heat of 120 degrees, existing in the leaves, juices and the result. At length the last evening of our quaran- fruits of most plants, but most abundant in animal protine had arrived. Mons. Jacques had played over, as ducts. The white of eggs is nothing but pure albumen, usual, all her favorite airs on his guitar, and Carlo had and the blood contains large quantities of this same sub-ther at the mouths in lakes or the sea, or on the banks Alluvion is land deposited by the action of rivers, eijust fervently recited a glowing passage from some Ital- stance. Its principal use in domestic economy, is in the ian poet, descriptive of a lover's despair, when sunset, clarifying or cleansing of fluids; such as sugars, &c. for in their passages to these receptacles. Constituted as it playing through the bars of our window, reminded us which purpose it is unrivalled. Milk contains albumen, usually must be, of the richer and lighter parts of the that the cool hours of the day were at hand, when it was and hence is sometimes used for cleansing syrup, but it regions drained by the river that deposits it, it is the most our custom to walk in the outer court. As we went is inferior to the white of eggs. These, carefully incor- fertile of soils, and the most valuable when it can be forth there was that eloquently sad silence, with which porated with a fluid when cold, and then submitted to a drained and rendered secure from floods. Nearly the even the most thoughtless engage in an habitual em- coagulating heat, will lift all impurities to the surface, whole of Holland is alluvial. In this country, the vast ployment for the last time. No one anticipated me in where they can be easily taken off by skimming. Al tract on both sides of the Mississippi, for a great dissecuring the companionship of the sweet child of nature bumen is more abundant in the bark of the red or slip its annual submersion, is of comparatively little value.— tance from its mouth, is of this character; but owing to whose beauty and gentleness had brightened to us all so pery elm than in any other vegetable product, hence its many days of pilgrimage and confinement; and I deter-value for medical purposes. Albumen is composed of Perhaps there is no river in the United States in propormined to improve it by ascertaining, if possible, the pro- carbon, 52, oxygen, 23, hydrogen 7, and nitrogen, 15. bable success of my poor friend. I spoke of the many pleasant hours we had passed together, of that social sympathy which had cheered and consoled, and asked her if even these narrow walls would not be left with regret. Consider," said I, "you will no more be charmed by the exquisite elegance of Monsieur Jacques," she looked up as if to see if I really thought her capable of being interested by such conventional graces-" or be enlivened," I continued, "by the enthusiastic converse of Don Carlo," she smiled-" or know," I added, with a more serious and searching glance, "the affectionate and gifted Delano,"--a tear filled her eye, but the smile assumed a brighter meaning. I looked up, and he was before us, gazing from one to the other, with an expression of joyful inquiry which flashed the happiest conviction on my mind. The passionate Neapolitan had flattered, and the genteel Frenchman had amused, but the faithful Yankee had won the heart of Angelica de Falco. AGRICULTURE. From the Monthly Genesse Farmer. OF TERMS USEFUL IN THE SCIENCE OF AGRICULTURE. Air. Alburnum. Wood of trees is usually composed of three distinct parts; the pith, or central part, having a loose, spongy texture; the heart-wood, the most durable and valuable part of the tree; and the sap wood, or alburnum. This last is usually whiter than the heart-wood, is more porous, and through it the circulation of the sap is principally performed. It is the soonest attacked by the borer or powder-post, and in exposed situations is always first to decay. tion to its length and volume, that has so much valuable alluvion on its borders as the Genesee. Alumine. riculturist, and entering largely into the composition of Alumine is one of the earths most important to the agall rocks, clays and loams. It was formerly termed arcoveries led to the belief that it was a metallic base comgil, or argillaceous earth, but Sir Humphrey Davy's disbined with oxygen. It is found nearly pure in the Corundum; porcelain clays and kavlin contain about oaehalf of this earth, and it may be obtained pure from the alum of commerce, by chemical processes. Alumine is the principle that gives the peculiar tenacity and plastic Alcohol is the purely spirituous part of all liquors. It nature to clays, rendering them heavy and impervious to the product of vinous fermentation, and can be de-water, in proportion to the quantity confined in them.— rived from all substances capable of such fermentation. Alumine has a great affinity for water, and hence clay is the intoxicating principle of liquors, and very few lands are usually more cold and wet, and more difficult nations have been found so rude as not to have found to cultivate than those into which it enters in less prosome means of producing it. Alcohol is produced prinportions. Its presence in soils is, however, absolutely cipally by the distillation of wine, molasses and grain. necessary to prevent porosity; and when combined in a is It Alcohol. The product of the first is brandy, the second rum, and used by the nations that border on the Baltic than in oxygen, 34.32 Algae. One of the families of plants into which Linnæus divided the vegetable kingdom. They are defined to be plants of which the roots, leaves and stem, are all one.— The remains of algae are abundant in a fossil state in the shale of many parts of New York, and their decomposition may have contributed to the fertility of the stra Alkali. ly produced from the distillation of potatoes. Pure alIn a state of purity, air consists of nitrogen and oxycohol consists of hydrogen 13.70; carbon, 51.98; and gen, in the proportion of 76 of the former and 23 of the latter, but as it exists in the atmosphere, it contains about one part in five hundred of carbonic gas, and also aqueous vapor in the form of an elastic fluid, the proportion varying from the merest trifle to eleven grains in the cubic foot. Air acts a most important part in the processes of germination, and subsequent vegetation, not only furnishing the oxygen required to decompose the carbonic gas consumed by the plants, but the most of the gas itself. The water held in the air is also easily part-ta in which they exist. ed with, and hence the great advantage of aeration, or frequently stirring the surface of the earth, to bring the particles in contact with the atmosphere. A square foot Alkali is a substance usually extracted from plants, of earth in a solid form exposes but a small surface to and distinguished by the following properties: It has an the action of the air, and hence absorbs the atmosphere acrid and corrosive taste and power; It changes vegetabut little; pulverise this mass, and the surface exposed ble blue to green, red to a purple, yellow to a red brown, to the action of the air is increased a million fold, and its and purple produced by an acid to its original color. It is powers of absorption from the atmosphere in the same most used in the arts for neutralizing acids. It is the proportion. This shows the absurdity of those who re-best known in the shape of potash or soda. These unite fuse in hot dry weather to stir the earth around plants, under the impression that it will render them more dry. Increasing the absorbing surface by stirring the earth, is, in fact, the only way of obtaining the moisture which, in greater or less quantities, always rises in the atmosphere. with oils and animal fat, and form soap. Lime is pos- |