Southport Telegraph

The British officers stationed at Montreal, recently killed twenty-eight Moose, in an expedition against that animal.

It is very difficult indeed, to get at the real state of affairs in Texas. The invasion don't appear to be much of an invasion after all, and at the latest dates, many of the inhabitants who had joined the army were returning quietly to their homes and occupations.

There may, and probably will be, trouble yet.

Communication.

Messrs. Editors:

I stated in an article published in your paper a few weeks since, that although the Rohans were not a good table potatoe, I know of no reason why they were not as good for feeding stock as other varieties. My neighbor, C. G. Cotting, Esq., quotes the above statement in a subsequent article and then says, "it strikes" him "as a little remarkable that a man should be found at the present day who can see no reason why a poor article is not worth as much for feeding stock as a good article." Mr. Cotting thinks my statements carried with them their own refutation.—But fearing your readers would not find it out, he had to write an article to let them know it. I would suggest to neighbor Cotting not to be too fast or he may be found crowing before day. That which is the most palatable is not always the most nutritious; as for instance, the common English turnip is generally preferred I believe, to the Ruta Baga for table use, and yet I have never heard it disputed but that the Ruta Baga are worth the most for feeding.

I beg leave to make a few extracts from the writings of eminent agriculturalists which will go to establish the position I have taken. The following is from the Cultivator of June, 1841: "I think the Rohans the best of all the coarse varieties of the potatoe for feeding, and nearly as much better than the Mercers, as they are better than good well soaked basswood chips. I have fed hundreds of bushels of them to all kinds of stock except sheep, and they all prefer them to the Mercers. I supplied a number of Irish families with them last fall, and they all liked them better than any other kind except the Pinkeyes. I can sell all I have on hand in this village for a table potatoe. If an Irishman is not a good judge of potatoes, no other man is; they say the Rohans are firm, hearty, and more nourishing than the other kinds. I am informed by good authority that they make more starch and command a better price at the Bennington starch manufactory than any other potatoe."

And to show your correspondents who have condemned the Rohans that I am sincere, I offer any of them a small wager, from $25 to $100 that I can grow more Rohans than they Mercers on one acre, and that the same potatoes boiled and alone will make one fourth more pounds of pork than the Mercers."

Another writer in the March number of the Cultivator, 1841, says, "I have grown them [the Rohans] three years, and they have uniformly been most productive. As to the quality for cooking, or for the table, I should not perhaps dissent so widely from Mr. Goodrich; but for animals I know no reason why it may not be equal to any of the fast growing large kinds." It will be seen that the above communications were written partly in reply to those condemning the Rohans. The following are the remarks "of the late lamented Jesse Buel" on the Rohans. [see the Cultivator No. 9. Vol. 5.] "A few tubers of this Potatoe were introduced from France in 1836. We have cultivated them two seasons, and feel justified in recommending them as a valuable acquisition in our husbandry.**

First,—because their quality, for the table, will justify it if not superior, they are good. The flesh is yellow, solid, and of good flavor.

Secondly—because they admit of a great economy in seed—two eyes sufficing (and many of the tubers have from 30 to 40) to plant a hill: and three or four bushels to plant an acre of ground—

Thirdly,—because they require comparatively little labor in harvesting—a man being able to dig thrice as many of them in a day as of ordinary kinds. The tubers are very large, and one hundred and ten of the largest of our crop, completely filling a flour barrel. Twenty-seven bushels were dug in our presence in one hour, the tops being pulled, by one man at moderate labor.

Fourthly,—because they yield an abundant crop. From 85 rods of ground we gathered 175 bushels, while our common cultivated kinds did not give us half a crop.'

You will see by the above extracts Messrs. Editors, that there are those in the world besides myself who sometimes say things "a little remarkable."

Yours, &c.,

Bristol, April 30th, 1842. A. B. JACKSON.