France and the continent of Europe, and towards spring we were beginning to hope for a better state of things, the wreck having been pretty well cleared away in the mercantile world, when the French Revolution threw Europe into convulsions again, most completely upsetting commercial affairs. This was followed by similar commotions in different parts of Continental Europe, and then by popular outbreaks in Ireland, England, and Scotland. The result has been, that for want of demand, for manufactured goods, cotton has gone down in Liverpool to a point almost as low as it ever before touched; and the quotations in the New-Orleans market on the 16th July, were for middling 5 a 5§; fair 7 a 7 c.

The stocks are nearly on an average at all points about the same as last year, and business every where dull; a little improvement was, however, manifested in France lately.

The consumption of cotton (as shown by advices up to 16th June of this year) in Great Britain, from 1st January to 16th June inst., was 582,790 bales, against 504,660 for the same period in 1847; though this exhibits some improvement over last year, yet there is no elasticity in the market, and little is manufactured for which there is not an immediate demand.

Any opinions expressed at this time as regards the future would be futile. The most critical period for the growing crop has yet to be passed, and we cannot look for high prices until the European governments shall have settled down upon some permanent basis; any important improvement must first be looked for from this quarter, and consequently every succeeding packet is expected with unusual anxiety.

IMPROVED HUSBANDRY, IMPLEMENTS, &c.

THERE has been within a year or two back established in New-Orleans, an Agricultural Warehouse, more complete than any other in the Southern country, and equal to the best in the Northern States. This establishment is in the charge of R. L. Allen, brother of the Editor of the American Agriculturist. One is sur prised on examination to discover how numerous and ingenious are the conveniences for assisting the labors of man in his natural and necessary duty of tilling the earth and working its products. We took a few notes during some occasional visits to the establishment, and present them to the reader.

PLOWS. Of these the variety is so great as to preclude a description of each kind. From a draught requiring four to six horses, in heavy ground, to a plow easily drawn by one horse or mule, the intermediate styles afford a wide scope for selection. Many are of iron, composed of an admixture of several kinds, which produces a metal of great strength and durability, increasing at least one hundred per cent. more service in those parts so soon worn out in other plows. Of 195 premiums offered by agricultural societies in Massachusetts, New-York and Vermont, for the best plows, the manufacturers of the class to which we refer obtained 158 as the reward to their skill. We noticed the Side Hill or Swivel Plows, of which are five different sizes, so constructed that the mould-board can be instantly changed from one side to the other, which enables the operator to perform the work horizontally upon side hills, going back and forth on the same side, and turning all the furrow-slices with great accuracy, downward.

There are four sizes of the Sub-soil Plow, to be used immediately after the team which turns up the surface-soil, and in the same furrow. This is of great advantage to the crops, both in dry and wet land. In the former, the sub-soil being deeply broken up and well pulverized, the moisture is retained much longer than it otherwise would be, and the roots of plants can descend much lower and wider

for their food; while in the latter, the excess of moisture filters below, and is readily carried off. This plow will break and pulverize the soil any required depth to eighteen inches.

The Three-Share Plow spreads two feet six inches wide, and is used for plowing in wheat, rye, and other grain, after sowing; and taking so many furrows at a time, it gets over the ground very rapidly. It is also highly useful as a cultivator, doing the work of three small plows with the same force.

The Paring Plow is used for paring turf-lands, preparatory to burning. The share is thin and flat, made of wrought iron, steel edged. It has a lock-coulter in the centre, and short coulters on the outside edge of each wing of the share, cutting the turf, as it moves along, into two strips about one foot wide, and as deep as may be required.

Mr. Allen having made himself acquainted with southern soils, and the best modes of culture, has constructed a series of plows expressly for this region, combining the advantages of the best northern models, without being so cumbersome. In addition to those specified, he has various other plows suited to every locality in North and South America, and the West India Islands, among which are steel points and shares, steel and wrought iron mould-boards, and every species of castings for plantation or farming labor.

CULTIVATORS.--Of these are several varieties. The Cultivator is a great labor-saving implement for stirring the earth between the rows of corn and other crops. It is well adapted for mixing manures in the soil, and pulverizing it after plowing. It leaves the soil much lighter, and in better condition to receive the seed than when the harrow only is used. It is useful for covering grain broad-cast, and buries it at a more suitable and uniform depth than the plow, and in one fourth the time; and much more perfectly than the harrow. There are various forms of teeth, some enter and stir the soil deep; others are broad and flat, to skim the surface and cut up the weeds; others narrow, acting as scarifiers,-and all fit the same size and form of mortice. The farmer, by purchasing different forms of teeth, can use them in the same frame-work. The Universal Cultivator, which may be easily repaired by blacksmiths, is made to expand from two to five feet.

Langdon's Cultivator is, in reality, a plow with a light, wide, flat share, sharp at the edges, and coulters on the mould-board. It is used for running between the rows of different crops, to cut up the weeds and loosen the soil. It is also an excellent implement for digging potatoes. The shares can be detached and wings added, which converts it into a double mould-board plow. It is recommended only for light soils free from stones.

The Cotton Swerp Cultivator is made expressly to take the place of the cotton sweep, besides doing much additional work. It has very sharp teeth so arranged as to cut up all grass and weeds, at the same time finely pulverizing the soil; and can be expanded or contracted to suit any width of row. It works so lightly that one mule can draw it.

The Hand Cultivator is made entirely of iron, except the handle, and expands from ten to eighteen inches. It is a very useful implement in garden culture, and is often used in fields. It cuts up and leaves the weeds exposed, and stirs the earth thoroughly. The operator, with his hands behind him, clenches the cross handle, and walks easily forward between the rows, and performs the work bet ter and faster than several men with hoes, leaving the ground well pulverized and the weeds destroyed. This being expeditious, it can often be used to advantage

ROLLERS. These implements are fast coming into general use. They crush all sods and lumps that remain on the top of the ground after the harrow has passed, and force down small stones level with the surface. They render the field smooth for the cradle, scythe and rake, press the earth close about the seeds, and secure a more certain and quick germination. Their greatest benefits are realized when used on such light, sandy and porous soils as are not sufficiently com pact to hold the roots of plants firmly, and retain suitable moisture. On such lands they are invaluable, and in all cases their use has greatly increased the product. Much benefit is undoubtedly found in compressing the surface of such soils by preventing the escape of those gasses from the manure, so essential to vegetation, and which are so rapidly extracted by the sun and winds. The rollers in highest estimation are made of iron, 18 or 24 inches in diameter, in separate sections, each one foot long, placed on a wrought iron arbor, on which they turn independently of each other;-thus turning without much friction and leaving the ground smooth. They are generally used with three to six sections. If four on

ly are required, shafts may be substituted for the tongue, and drawn by one horse, or both may be used alternately according to the team. The box is attached to receive stones, etc., picked up on the field, and giving weight to the roller as the work may require.

HARROWS. Of these are many kinds and sizes, from the one horse up to the large four horse harrows. The Triangular Folding, Scotch and Geddes are most approved. The latter, in two triangles, is superior to the square, as it draws from one point with a regular, not a straggling motion, and of course is easier for the team. Either part is easily lifted when in motion, to let off any trash that may have collected among the teeth.

Sufficient attention is not paid to harrowing. It is the next most important operation after plowing. The harrow should run from four to six inches deep, cutting up all the lumps, and leaving the ground in a finely pulverized state.

SEED-SOWERS, &c.-These machines are quite ingenious and labor-saving in their contrivance. The Improved Brush has been long in use in this country and in England, and is found to be the only one that plants all the variously formed small seeds rapidly and with precision. It is easily arranged to plant a greater or less quantity as may be required.

Bachelder's Corn-Planter deposits the seed at any distance in drills or otherwise, from a hopper above the beam; and as the horse moves along, the share below opens the furrow; arms moving horizontally drop the corn through a tube conducting it to the bottom of the drill. A triangular iron follows to remove all lumps and stones, and a roller to compress the earth over the seed. The machine requires a small horse to draw it, and with a boy to drive, will plant from ten to twelve acres per day, according to the width of the rows.

The Horse-Drill will plant wheat, rye, Indian corn, oats, peas, beans, ruta-bagas, &c., and can be regulated to drop any required quantity on an acre. The drills can be thrown in or out of gear separately, so as to plant a field of any shape without seeding any part twice. They are so arranged as to operate equally well on all kinds of land, hilly and rough, as well as level and smooth. A man with two horses can put in from 10 to 12 acres with wheat in a day; and with one horse he can plant 20 acres with corn per day.

COTTON SEED PLANTER.-Both the corn-planter and horse-drill above described are easily adapted to sowing cotton seed, and can be made to do the work of six or eight hands, and much more perfectly.

HARVESTING IMPLEMENTS, &c.-The Reaping Machine can reap fifteen acres of wheat in a day, and will cut the grain as smooth and clean as can be done with a sickle or scythe. It has low wheels, drawn by a pair of horses, and cuts a swath five feet wide, with twenty knives, working horizontally, which require sharpening only once a day. A man sitting on the side of the platform with a rake pushes off the grain as fast as it is cut. A field of oats or barley may be cut as neatly and expeditiously as one of wheat or rye.

Railway Horse Power and Thrasher is adapted to one horse, which, with the aid of two men and a boy, can thrash at the rate of 75 to 100 bushels of wheat, or 100 to 150 bushels of oats in a day.

The Grain Cradle, Grass, Lawn, Bramble, or Bush Scythes are implements which admirably answer the purposes intended. They are the most approved in the market, and are made of the best cast and German double-refined steel.

The Revolving Hay Rake, with a horse, man and boy, will clean from 15 to 20 acres per day. It can be used to good advantage, even on rough ground.

Rice Thrashers, Fanning Mills, Corn Shellers, Smut Machines, Corn and Cob Crushers, Burr Stone Mills, Rice Hullers, Straw Cutters, Machines for raising water by horse power, &c. We enumerate, at random, a few more of the articles

or inventions found in the warehouse of Mr. Allen.

Egg Hatching Machine is constructed of tin or other materials, with the brooding-chamber surrounded by water, warmed to a suitable degree of temperature by a spirit-lamp, which may be constantly kept burning for less than ten cents a day. The apparatus is so simple in its construction and management, that a child can superintend its operation, with two hours' time in a day, and requires no attention during the night, after ten o'clock. It is made of three different sizes, to contain from 200 to 600 eggs at once.

The variety of corn mills in this establishment exceeds any we have before seen, from the little hand steel mill, and such as combine hand and horse power, to the largest sizes of the best French burr stone. Also, corn-shellers equally various,--

there being more than a dozen kinds to shell by hand, and four to shell by horse or steam power, some of the latter being capable of turning out 1500 bushels per day. To these may be added straw cutters of twelve or fifteen styles, working in all kinds of ways, by hand and horse power, yet all efficient in lessening the mastication of the animal, and thereby increasing the value of the fodder, whether corn stalks or shucks, straw or hay.

The large furnace kettle, which is always set and ready for use, in doors or out, is of great convenience and utility, economizing fuel and labor. These are of all sizes.

Having referred to the corn and cob-crushers, we may remark, that it is a vast labor saving machine for the stomach of the animal, and in connexion with the straw-cutter, is capable of saving at least one third of the food, while it augments the working capabilities of the beast. The food must be reduced, ground or divided. before it can be acted upon by the gastric juices of the stomach, and assimilated to the system. Now, a great deal of this may be accomplished by these machines, and to much more advantage than by mastication; and when the animal has received his rations in this prepared form, he more readily digests them, and is sooner refreshed and invigorated for his work.

The Water Ram, a modification of the invention of Montgolfier in the last century, for raising water to any required height, with a fall not exceeding three feet, we conceive to be an instrument of great value for various purposes. We noticed pumps and engines of several descriptions, adapted to almost every conceivable use, all of which are the best suited to some one or more peculiar situations or objects. Also, a variety of Hoes, of domestic manufacture, far superior to any ever imported, and which Mr. Allen informed us, he had made especially for such discriminating planters as can appreciate an article which will pay for itself by extra service in every week's use. They are made, not only in an improved form, but of a fine quality of metal, and will do work much better, faster, and with much more ease to the hand than the common hoe.

The garden implements and tools for shubbery form a beautiful collection. Many are delicate and ingenious, fit for the hands of a lady, uniting amusement with healthful exercise. Spades, shovels, scythes, forks, and every other instrument needed in rural occupations, may be had at Mr. Allen's warehouse.

But we cannot further particularize. We have accomplished our object, and what we deem a duty to our agricultural readers, by calling their attention to the first establishment of this kind ever undertaken south or west of Baltimore, and one probably more varied and complete than can be found elsewhere in the United States. When we reflect that nearly all the agricultural improvements of the present day consist in the superiority of the implements, and the economy and perfection of labor thereby secured, we cannot too earnestly recommend the adoption of such implements as are most likely to attain this result. That policy is best which brings most reward with less sacrifice to the operator. Of late, the mechanic arts have wonderfully multiplied the comforts and reduced the labor of man. Prejudice against anything new, because it happens to excel old models, is no longer tolerated by the intelligent. There is the same reason why the best tools should be used in producing from the soil, as that the carpenter or other handicraftsman should employ instruments adapted to the work he has to accomplish. We shall conclude our remarks on this subject by a quotation which we consider eminently applicable:

"Furius Cresinus, an emancipated Roman slave, having obtained from his very small estate much larger crops than his more wealthy neighbors from their vast domains, they became so envious that they charged him with employing enchantment to attract into his grounds the produce of their fields. Having been summoned by Spurius Albinus, and being fearful of condemnation, he introduced into the forum, as the tribunes prepared to vote, his robust and well clad family, and his agricultural implements,-his heavy mattocks, his ingeniously constructed plows, and his well-fed oxen, and then exclaimed.-Behold! Roman citizens, my magic; but I am still unable to show you, or to bring into the market place my studies, my constant vigilance, my fatiguing labor. Scarcely had he concluded, when he was absolved by public acclamation. "It is in enterprise, study, unremitting study, vigilance and industry, more than in money, that the mystery of great crops and successful husbandry consists."

To succeed in this "enchantment" of full crops, let parties within reach of New Orleans call on Mr. Allen, who will cheerfully assist them in the work. His col lection cannot fail to interest any visiter,-producing new and enlarged ideas, with increased love of nature. Such is the tendency of all associations connected with rural life.

UNITED STATES COMMERCE AND NAVIGATION.

EXPORTS AND IMPORTS, 1847.

From the late report of the Register of the Treasury, showing the export of articles produced in the United States, we compile a table embracing cotton, rice, flour, Indian corn and meal, sugar and tobacco, in value, and also the total amount of all the exports of domestic produce from July 1, 1846, to June 30,