ROYAL CARABINEERS. This corps, consisting of six hundred men, forming part of the king's body guards, is beyond all doubt the finest I ever saw; I never yet beheld any corps fit to be compared with it. It maintains the reputation the Spanish cavalry has obtained, and is composed of six squadrons; four of which are heavy, one is chasseurs, and the other hussars. Selected from the different regiments in the army, the carabineers must have served for the space of eight years, without once incurring punishment of any kind. On their admission into that chosen body, they engage themselves for life; (what is called romper el papel); and, as if marriage were incompatible with the qualities of a soldier, they take the oath of celibacy. It would be difficult to express the sentiment experienced at the sight of this respectable assemblage of soldiers, grown old under arms, who, for the defence of their king, have resigned all happiness in this world. As the religious retires from society to think only of his salvation, so the carabineer binds himself by indissoluble bonds, and pronounces the sanie sacred engagements. As many heroes, therefore, as soldiers, are contained in this body of men. Philosophers, who may chance to read this article, will perhaps sinile: but we doubt much whether they would stand in line in front of this brave band. The officers also are selected from the army at large. The carabineer who commits some public offence is expelled his corps, and abandoned to the civil power; for, it is not supposed, that any individual belonging to this corps would disgrace himself, by swerving from his line of duty, therefore no provisions are made for such cases. AN ACCOUNT OF THE KELP MANUFACTURE IN SCOTLAND. The principal situation for kelp is in the Long island. The manufacture was introduced by certain Irish adventurers, about fifty years ago. Before that time, the manufacture of that article was wholly unknown on the north-west coast of Scotland. Some -native individuals, profiting by the example of the Irish, commenced the kelp business themselves, and, having gained considerably by the undertaking, the system became general. The manufacture has gradually extended from that period, down to the present tinie; and on some estates in the Highlands, affords now no inconsiderable share of the revenue arising to the proprietor. The Lewis is said to be capable of producing 450 tons annually; the Harris 650; North Uist 1500; South Uist 1500; and Barra 250; in all 4350 tons. This quantity may be considered as a fair average in favourable seasons. land rent of that tract exceeds £13,000, but is below £14,000 per ann. The The kelp, after deducting the charges of manufacture, the freight to market, commission to agents, &c. has for these last seven years, yielded a clear profit of from £4 to £5 per ton; but, taking £4 10s. as a medium, the income arising to the proprietors of the Long island, who now make the kelp, with a very few exceptions, on their own account, will, from that article, amount to £19,575. In the islands of N. and S. Uist, where the quantity of kelp is most considerable, in proportion to the extent of population; about two tons is an average allowed to each head of a family, or a stout working man. A great part of that kelp is made from cast or drift ware, which comes ashore on the west coast, after a gale of westerly wind. This ware, if not instantly secured, is often drifted back again to the sea; and although it may afterwards return to the shore, it is in general found, in a few days, to have lost so much substance, as to be utterly unfit for its original purpose. It requires 350 horse loads of wate of this description to make a ton of kelp; and it may easily be conceived, that, without a number of hands always ready on the watch to secure the floating ware, no great quantity of kelp could be made from that ware. The rest of the kelp in these islands, is made on the east coast, from the growing ware found in the bays and arius of the sea, and often on sunken rocks, at some distance from the shore. Great part of this ware is cut, and floated ashore on rafts and in boats, and is attended to the maker with no inconsiderable degree of toil and risk. To expedite the business, and for mutual convenience, the kelpers generally form into small parties, make a joint stock of their ware, and divide the manufacturing price at the end of the year. The manufacture of kelp is at all times, and particularly in a rainy season, a difficult and precarious business, and can only be cairied on in the months of June, Julv, and the two first weeks in August. It is a dirty and disagreeable employinent, and must, if the present race of people were to leave the country, be given up altogether. In proportion as the population on some estates increases, so in proportion does the quantity of kelp: and it cannot be denied, by any one acquainted with the kelp manufac ture of the Highlands, that, by the adoption, their ardour; and is mingled with other trees of more approved modes of managing and entting, the quantity of Highland kelp will increase considerably. On one considerable kelp estate, the proprietor being about to leave the country, and reside in England, dreaded that his people might become more remiss in his absence. To insure their industry, he raised the manufacturing price from two to four guineas per ton; while, on the other hand, his lands, already sufficiently rented, were augmented in proportion, and the people remained equally satisfied as before. Brown on the State of the Highlands. CULTIVATION OF THE CACAO, OR CHOCO- which guard it from the rays of the sun, without depriving it of the benefit of their heat. The erytrine and the banana are employed for this purpose. The latter, by the rapidity of its growth, and the magnitude of its leaves, protect it for the first year. In one range of cacao trees a banana is placed between two cacaos, and an erytrine between the two following. In the other range a banana is placed between each cacao tree, and no erytrines, so that the latter are at the distance of two alleys. The banana and the erytrine are first planted, and when a shelter from the sun is thus provided, the hole for the cacao is made, around which are planted four stalks of the yucca plant, at the distance of two feet from each other. At the end of two months the cacao is planted; the smaller the plant is, the better. The cacao plant should not exceed thirtysix inches in size when transplanted. The nurseries of cacao deinand an excel lent soil, well prepared, where the water does not remain.They should be well sheltered from the sun. Small knolls of earth are formed, in each of which are put two grains of cacao in such a manner that they are parallel with the level of the ground. During the first twenty days the seeds are covered with If We have repeatedly hinted at the possibility, to say the least, that our West India islands might vary their productions, and encrease the number of them to advantage. Soil and situation must, no doubt, be consulted: but, hitherto, we apprehend, that the principle of "following the old track has been the chief cause why certain articles of cultivation have engrossed the attention of planters. As there are, however, among our West India proprietors, men of wealth, to whom experiments that occupy a few acres of ground, or require the advance of labour and money some years before they yield returns, are not discouraging; we insert the mode of cultivating the Cacao, or chocolate plant, as practised by When the bananas grow old they should be the Spaniards in the Carraccas. It may suit carefully felled, lest the cacaos should be insome estates, and may even employ the leisure jured by their accidental fall. They are toof more than at present are aware of it. tally removed as soon as the erytrines yield sufficient shade; this operation gives more extract is from Depon's travels to South Ame-air to the trees of the plantation, and encou rica. Our . After having chosen the land, it should be cleared of all trees, shrubs and other plants. It is crossed with small ditches, in directions according to the declivity of the soil; these serve to drain the stagnant waters, to carry off the rains, and to irrigate or water the soil whenever necessary. The allignement is then laid out, in which the cacao trees are to be arranged. They are planted in triangles, or squares. In either case, there is always in the centre an alley, bordered by cacao-trees and running from east to west. When they are planted in squares, this alley is crossed by another running from north to south. The racao plants should be placed at 15 or 16 feet from each other, in good soil; and about 13 or 14 feet in soil of inferior quality. This is almost the only tree in nature to which the enlivening beams of the sun are obnoxious. It requires to be sheltered from two layers of banana or other leaves. necessary, the ground is watered; but the water is not suffered to remain. The most suitable time for sowing is in November. Care should be taken that the plants are not wet in the interval between their being taken out of the ground and replanted. rages their growth. Until the cacao plant attains four feet in height, it is trinned to the stem. If it shoots forth several branches, they are reduced to three, at equal distances, and in proportion as the plant encreases, the leaves which appear on the three branches are stripped off. If they bend much, and incline towards the earth, they are tied in bunches, so that the tree may not remain crooked. The branches which are trimmed, are cut at the distance of two fingers from the tree. The suckers which spring from the tree are also removed, as they only live at its expence. The cacao trees should have sufficient shade to prevent their being burned by the sun. If they are much exposed to its rays, their branches are scattered, crack, and the tree dies. They are also infested with worms which gnaw their bark all around, then attack their interior and destroy them. The only remedy which has hitherto been found, is to employ people to kill these worms, which are deposited by a small scaly winged insect, which gnaws the tree. A creeping plant often attaches itself to a branch of the cacao tree, which it covers and causes to wither, by rourishing itself with the substance of the plant. The only remedy is to remove it: this forms the occupation of the slaves on Sundays. When the cacao trees are in a state of produce, they are subject to a disease called taint (tache). This is a black taint or stain which attacks the trees, encircling them below, and kills them. The mode of preservation is to make, in the beginning, a slight notch that shall pierce the bark. But if the taint is extensive, it is necessary to cut all the affected part. It then discharges a liquid, and is healed. The bark remains of a violet colour in the part that has bech tainted. The other enemics of the cacao are the agouti, stag, squirrel, monkey, &c. The agouti often destroys in one night all the hopes of the proprietor. The stag eats the husks or pods of the cacao, while yet tender, with so much voracity that in the body of a stag killed on the banks of the Tuy there were found three hundred unmasticated. Stags are also fond of the buds, which they reach by standing on their hind feet; and on that account are more dangerous by reason of the tender age of the cacao plant. The whole class of parrots, in particular the great Ara, which destroys for the pleasure of destroying, and the parroquets, which come in numerous flocks, conspire also to ruin the plantations of cacao. It is most essential to deepen the trenches which carry off the water, in proportion as the plant encreases in size, and as the roots of course pierce deeper: for if the trenches are cleft at a depth of three feet, while the roots are six feet in the earth, it follows that the lower part of the cacao plant is in a situation of too great humidity, and rots at the level of the water. It is necessary also to abstain from cutting any branch from cacao plants already in a state of produce. Such au operation might occasion the subsequent crop to be stronger; but the plants become enervated and often perish, according to the quality of the earth and the number of branches cut off. The cacao gives two principal crops in a year, one about St. John's day, the other towards the end of December. The cacao also ripens and is gathered during the whole year. But in all seasons, the people of Terra Firma make it a point, as far as possible, to collect their crops only at the decline of the moon, because, say they, experience proves that this precaution renders the cacao more solid, and less liable to spoil. To collect the cacao, those negroes and Indians are employed who have the sharpest sight; that only the ripe fruit may be gathered. The most robust and active are chosen to carry it to the places where the grain is to be shaken out. The aged and maimed are employed to shake out the grain. This operation is performed on a place well swept, and covered with green leaves, on which they place the cacao. Some open the pod, and others strike out the grain with a small piece of wood, which must not be sharp, lest it should injure the grain. The good and bad cacao must not be mingled together. There are four sorts of cacao in every crop ; the ripe and in good condition, the green but sound, the worm-eaten, and the rotten. The first quality is best, the second is not bad, but the two others should be rejected. As soon as that which is not fully ripe begins to shew specks it must be separated. Pods which are uot perfectly ripe, should remain in heaps during three days under green banana leaves, that they may ripen before they are hulled. When the cacao is put in store, great care is necessary not to ' leave among it any pieces of the pod or leaves, or any other excrementitious particles. This care must be repeated every time that it is removed from the store or replaced in it. The cacao must always be exposed to the sun, on the fourth day after it has been gathered, and this exposure should be daily repeated until it is perfectly dry. When that is the case, the grains burst on being squeezed, their shell resounds when struck, and they no longer become heated on being placed in heaps the latter is the best proof that the moisture injurious to their prescrvation is dissipated. If the cacao is not sufficiently exposed to the sun it becomes mouldy; if too much, it withers and easily pulverises; in either case it soon rots. : The cacao, which begins to show specks may be preserved from entire corruption by a slight application of brine. This occasions a small degree of fermentation, which is sufficient to destroy the worms. One slave, is sufficient for the preservation and harvest of a thousand plants, each of which should yield at least one pound or cacao, in ground of moderate quality, and a pound and a half in the best soil. By an averaged calculation, of twenty ounces to each plant, the thousand plants must produce twelve hundred and fifty pounds, which, at the customary price of twenty dollars per hundred, produce two hundred and fifty dollars per annum for each slave or labourer. The expences of the plantations, including those of utensils, machines and buildings, are also less considerable for cacao than for any other produce. The cacao plant is otn in state of perfect 1 produce till the eighth year, in the interior, and the ninth in plantations on the coast. Yet, by a singularity which situation alone can explain, the crops of cacao commence in the sixth year in the valley of Goapa, and at the east of the mouth of the Tuy. In the vicinity of the line, and on the banks of Rio-Negro, the plantations are in full produce in the fourth, or at most the fifth year. The cacao tree continues productive to the age of fifty years on the coast, and thirty years in the interior country. Mr. Curwen has clearly pointed out in a new and satisfactory manner. The Earl of Mansfield has promoted the interests of his country, and rendered a service to the future navies of this empire, by. his plantation of 96,000 oak trees, at Scone, near Perth, an example highly worthy of imitation by men of rank and property, and well deserving of the Gold Medal adjudged to his Lordship. To Lord Boringdon, who, by embankments, has gained above 200 acres of arable land from the sea, a considerable part of which is now in a state of cultivation, a Gold Medal has been voted. The Rt. Rev. the Lord Bishop of Landaff, has not only directed his attention to many valuable chyinical experiments, but has lately rendered an essential service to his country by planting 322,500 larch trees, on land heretofore" of little use; it is highly to be wished that the wilds of Derbyshire, and many other tracts of land at present disregarded, were thus rendered valuable. The Society have shewn their respect to his Lordship's exertions by granting him a Gold Medal. previously useless is rendered productive, the beauty of the scenery improved, and very important advantages are transmitted to posterity. May 31, the annual meeting of this highly useful and patriotic Society took place, when His Grace the Duke of Norfolk, Piesident of the Society, took the chair, amidst a most respectable and scientific audience. Dr. Taylor, the Secretary, entered into a comprehensive view of the Society from its origin, expatiating on its utility, the active mind of its Founder, its progressive improvement, and the many national benefits that had arisen from it, &c. He then stated, he To Dr. A. Bain of Curzon-street, a Gold should immediately proceed to point out the Medal is adjudged, for planting about 339,000 different rewards in the various classes that were Forest trees, at Helleton, in Derbyshire. In to be given this day, and should first begin with every point of view in which the subject of Agriculture, which (said Dr. Taylor) hath plantations can be considered we find it exever held a distinguished rank in this Society,tremely interesting; by means thereof, land and this Establishment may with great propriety be termed the Parent of the numerous provincial Agricultural Societies diffused throughout the kingdom. The qualities of Robert Burrows, Esq. of Great Witchingdifferent soils, the most beneficial rotation of | ham, in Norfolk, has been engaged in a very crops, the breeding of cattle, plantations of accurate course of experiments respecting the fruit and forest trees, the preservation of ve- comparative advantages of Wheat sown broadgetables for food, the introduction of improv- cast, drilled, and dibbled. He has described ed implements of Agriculture, and the means in an interesting communication every opeof rendering labouring men more happy, all ration; the expence of each mode of culture, continue to occupy the attention of the So- the nature and condition of the land, the ciety.-Probably no country but Great Bri- produce of the corn, the weight per bushel, tain can farnish examples of men of abilities and also of the straw; and draws inferences and fortune, equally active in the field of bat- from the different operations of the advantages tle, the cabinet, and in agricultural pursuits." or disadvantages attending each. This paper To John Christian Curwen, Esq. of Work-will be published in the 26th volume of the ington-Hall, the Gold Medal has been voted Society's Transactions. He has been honourfor improvements in the culture of vegetables, ed with a Gold Medal. the extent of which includes Economy in manure, the production of an equal weighty, and valuable crop, on only two-thirds of the land usually employed; the preservation of that land in excellent condition for subsequent crops, and procuring, by ploughing the soil, even in the drvest season, such a sufficient quantity of moisture by evaporation from it, as to promote in a high degree the luxuriant, growth of the vegetables on its surface. To Tull we were indebted for the introduction of Drill-husbandry, but to Mr. Curwen we are indebted for the discovery of advantages from it which Mr. Tull had no idea of, and which To Mr. William Lawrence, of Maldon, in Essex, a Silver Medal has been voted, for about 100 acres of land gained from the sea by einbankment. This improvement will not only yield considerable profit to himself but contribute greatly to remove the intermittent fevers and other diseases usually attendant on lands partially overflowed by the sea. Mahy valuable cattle have been lost by cating too great masses of moist clover, which ferments in the stomach, and yields so great a quantity of air as to choak the animal if not timely disengaged. Two methods of relieving the cattle, hoven or swelled by this disease, have been adopted, one of which is, by passing a hollow flexible tube down the throat of the animal, and allowing the air to escape through it; the other by stabbing the beast in the stomach, and thus allowing the air a vent externally. For employing, in the above case, the instrument used in tapping for the dropsy, known by the name of the Trochea and Canula, instead of a common knife, Mr. W. Wallis, mason, of Goodrest Lodge, Warwickshire, has been voted a Silver Medal. The usual mode of churning cream to make butter is well known to be a laborious operation a simple and ingenious invention of Mr. Thomas Fisher, of Ormskirk, Lancashire, bids fair to reduce the labour considerably, and to facilitate the operation. It is by forming the head of the churn-staff in resemblance to the fly of a smoke-jack, by moving upon a pivot, at the bottom of the staff; and it has an alternate circular motion in being raised up and forced down through the cream, which renders the work much more easy and sooner completes it. Mr. Fisher received a reward of Five Guineas. To Mr. Charles Waistell, of High Holborn, for his communication of methods of ascertaining the value of growing timber trees, at different and distant periods, a Gold Medal. To J. Butler, Esq. Bramshott, Hants, for improving waste land, a Silver Medal. To Mr. Samuel Curtis, Walworth, for planting above 4,000 fruit trees, for an orchard, at Bradwell, in Essex, a Silver Medal. To Mr. Richard Parkinson, of Walworth, near London, for the cure of the Foot-rot in Sheep, a Silver Medal. After concluding the subject of Agriculture, Dr. Taylor proceeded to make a few observations on Chemistry, and said, "On the first establishment of the Society many premiums were offered in this department, which produced very considerable improvements in Mineralogy, the art of Enamelling, of making English Ware equal to China, of Dyeing, of Painting, of Varnishing; of Medecine, of Sweetening putrid Water, and of preserving the Health of Seamen and Manufacturers." Mr. William Anderson of his Majesty's dock-yard, at Portsmouth, has received a Silver Medal for improvements in Painting Canvas for hammock-cloths, and other useful purposes. His process comprises the advantages of being cheap, soon executed, more pliant and durable, and longer impervious to water than the old manner. To Mr. Thomas Saddington, 73, Lower Thames-street, for a cheap method of Preserving Fruit without sugar, for house-hold uess or sea stores, Five Guineas. In the Polite Arts a great number of Silver Medals and Pallets were awarded, the most prominent of which were, to Master The "The figured Quiltings, (continued Dr Taylor), wove in the loom, the spinning machines which raised the name of Ark wright so high in estimation, and the elegant works of Miss Linwood, were produced under the auspices of the Society, and during this Session, the Society, anxious to preserve a full supply of Hemp for the service of the navy, have voted their Gold Medal to George Whitworth, Esq. of Coxwold, for his great exertions in manufacturing ropes and sacking from sheep's wool, to answer the purpose of similar articles made from Hemp. From the excellent specimens now before you, there is great reason to sup pose that, on Mr. Whitworth's plan the farmers will find a new market for their sheep's wool; the Yorkshire clothiers be enabled to employ their workmen, and much money be prevented from being sent abroad for Hemp. The corn-dealers, in Mark-lane, have sent certificates to the Society, expres sing warmly their approbation of the woollen sacks they have seen in use, and which they think will answer both in wear and price." To Mr. Peter Tansley, of Wheeler-street, Spitalfields, for a cheap and ingenious me thod of cutting Silk Shag, the Society have voted Five Guincas. Dr. Taylor then said, "under the next class, namely, that of Mechanics, the Comnittee have been actively occupied during the whole Session, and very particular attention has been paid to reward improvements in the navy. The Society are sensible that it demands the support of every man who wishes well to his country, and they are desirous of adding to its glory, comfort, and security. It is one of the express conditions on which the premiums of the Society are given, that the person relinquishes every claim to a patent, and allows the free use of his invention to the public." |