GARDEN WORK. We introduce the annexed engraving as an em- the whole are arranged on paper, if any change bellishment to these pages, (as it suggests many seems desirable, it will be much easier to make it agreeable reflections) and as an incentive to prompt there than by removing the plants themselves, or and vigorous preparations for the Garden Work altering beds, borders and walks. which will soon call for your attention. With a It is very important in gardening, even in the plan of the garden spread out before you, it will be common kitchen garden, that the ground should easy to decide where each bed, shrub, tree, flow-be laid out in convenient form, and so remain from ers, roots, vines, &c., shall be placed, and when year to year. Straight lines will be found the cheapest and easiest kept; but curved lines may| SASH LIGHTS, Fig. 2, be occasionally introduced, which will set off the should be made of well appearance of the garden considerably, and with- seasoned wood about 14 out incurring much expense. A border, from five inches thick, the glass to ten feet wide round the whole, if the grounds thick, about 7 by 12 are not very extensive, will be found very conve-inches, and lapped so as nient. Next to this there should be a walk of liber- to shed the rain. Their al width and the centre divided into squares with form, and manner of placing them on the hot bed such walks as will allow the whole to be reached are pretty well represented in the large engraving without treading too much over the planted ground. above. FIG. 3. It is best that this order should be observed even The HAND GLASS, Fig. 3, is a glass case, with a in a garden of the humblest pretensions, as it will pyramidal-shaped cover, and is used for forwardafford greater convenience for cultivation, will not ing early plants, or sheltering such as are taken call for new engineering every spring to say what from the hot-bed and set out in an open compartshall be done in its various departments, and the ment. same spaces may be planted with the same vegetables indefinitely, if it is desired, if the soil is annually enriched. FIG. 2. PERUVIAN GUANO.-The Peruvian Government Agent for the sale of Guano in Baltimore, has advanced the price $4 per ton, and has also given notice that in future no sales will be made in lots of less than fifty tons, so that the trade will now fall into the hands of commission merchants. The newspapers recommend that prompt action be taken by this government to reduce the price of this great agricultural fertilizer. Within the past winter several cargoes of the article have been lost on the coast, and it is said the supply will not an increase of population. The agricultural surmeet the demands of the farmers for spring con- vey of the several counties of a State like New sumption. TRANSACTIONS OF THE N. Y. STATE York, containing so great diversity of soils, is one of immense importance to the prosperity of the State. Indeed, we cannot well see how its resources can be fully developed without it. It must demand great labor and much time, but we trust the liberality of the State will not fail until it is fully completed. It will be a lasting monument to the wisdom of the State. AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. Through the politeness of the Secretary of this Society, B. P. JOHNSON, Esq., we have received a copy of its Transactions for the year 1852. It is a noble volume, and worthy of the Empire State. It has some faults, and among them, not the 6. That there was a trial of the various farm least is the manner in which it is printed. The implements, and machines, made in July, 1852, exceedingly rich materials gathered at so much at Geneva, which continued 8 days, and was atexpense, should have been clothed in fairer habil-tended by manufacturers and distinguished cultiiments. vators. This meeting was one of great interest From the report of the Secretary, we learn and importance, but we have not space to refer several interesting facts; and 1. That the general progress of agriculture and the mechanic arts connected therewith, is of a highly satisfactory character. 2. That increased attention is being paid to the important subject of draining-that one manwhose name ought to be recorded-ROBERT J. SWAN, of Fayette, Seneca Co., has laid 17 miles and 16 rods of covered drains, from 30 to 36 inches deep-all laid with draining tiles during the last year. to the results. 7. That the Society keeps an eye upon the movements that are taking place in various parts of the world, in the matter of agriculture, and exchanges its Transactions with the principal agricultural societies of Europe. Even the Sandwich Islands have not been overlooked in this respect. 8. That the amount of premiums paid at Utica was $7,500, and the amount paid at the winter exhibition of fat stock and seeds, was $1,800 more! 3. That the wheat crop has diminished, and the crops of corn, oats and barley largely increased. 9. That the Fair held at Utica continued four The same facts respecting the grain crop we be- days, and was of a highly gratifying character. lieve are true throughout the Eastern States. Ex-The Address by HORATIO SEYMOUR, is one of great perience has shown that we can compete with the interest. The leading thought contained in it is Western States in the produce of corn, oats and embraced in one short sentence. Like the steam barley, but not of wheat. in the engine, public sentiment is the great source of 4. That the products of the dairy have in- action. creased largely, viz., butter, 264,361 lbs., and The volume contains several highly interesting cheese, 12,991,437 lbs. These results are truly and valuable reports, upon important subjects surprising when it is remembered that the num- connected with agriculture. One upon breeding ber of milch cows has diminished, since the last stock, and one upon curing and packing beef and State census by the large figure of 68,066. These pork, contain much information. But the one that figures demonstrate that the character of the dai- most strongly arrested our attention, is the analry animals has been very greatly improved. ysis, by Dr. J. H. SALISBURY, of several common 5. That under the direction of the agricultural vegetables, as the beet, carrot, melon, &c. We society, surveys of the several counties in the trust the Dr. will continue the good work which State, are being made-one or more yearly. Dur- he has commenced, and give us analyses not only ing the year the survey of the county of Essex of the various roots, but of the grains, and espechas been completed by WINSLOW C. WATSON, ially of that most important of all plants in AmerEsq. This county lies in the northeast portion of ican husbandry, the Indian corn, not only of the the State, borders on Lake Champlain, and in- grain, but of the whole plant. We have never cludes Mount Maray and part of Adirondac. The seen a satisfactory analysis of this plant, made upcounty is found to be rich in mineral treasures, on our own soil. We want American analyses of and especially in a mineral that is of immense American plants. Every one who has attended to value to agriculture, viz. : phosphate of lime-and the subject, knows that plants grown in different this is said to exist to an extent "commensurate soils and under different climatic influences differ with the demand of the world." This article, we widely in their proximate elements. The analybelieve, was discovered in this locality about the ses of grains and plants grown in Germany and same time that it was in New Jersey; 100 tons England yield for us only approximations to of superior quality had been sent to the seaboard the truth. A portion, and a liberal portion too, in 1852. Providence is thus furnishing a supply of the funds of the society cannot be better apof fertilizers, to meet the demand resulting from propiated than in securing such analyses. The almost innumerable articles entered for pre-gested, and many have been introduced to good miums at the State Fair, is a striking feature in advantage. These meetings afford an opportunity the New York exhibitions. The range is a wide for mutual consultation, which ought not to be overlooked, and yet it is certainly true, that farmone from Devon bulls and mowing machines, to ers have not availed themselves of such an opporbead purses and rat-traps. But then they have tunity to anything like the extent which might $9000 to distribute, a much larger sum than has reasonably be supposed. It is not an easy thing any agricultural society in the Union, and they to excite even a proper degree of enthusiasm amongst farmers. They are not easily moved, can embrace a long list of productions, and me- and we believe one great cause for this is, that chanical inventions and improvements. they do not read agricultural books-do not make In addition to the report of the State Society, agriculture a study, largely enough to give an the volume comprises an abstract of the reports earnest impulse to their thoughts. They are apt of forty-five county societies, a work of immense to look at their pursuit simply in its practical aslabor, and one which demonstrates the industry of farming, it is true; but there are a great many pects. This is the most important view to be taken and perseverance of the Secretary of the State elements in it which are not regarded in a just Society. The volume closes with the Survey of light, and this can only be done by reading and Essex County, a document of great interest as well study. We are very sure there is nothing in the whole range of study so well calculated to interas great value. This volume is one which the Society may send est the thoughtful and studious as the principles of agriculture. All science is made tributary; with pride to the various societies with which it and the whole business of life is embodied in it. is in correspondence, in Europe and in this coun- Why should not then the farmer be enthusiastic? try. It may be taken as an index of the march The time is coming when he will be, when he must of improvement which the State is making, not be. Every where are to be found,-both in this only in agriculture but in all the arts of life. LEGISLATIVE AGRICULTURAL SO CIETY. ENTHUSIASM AMONGST FARMERS. country and in England, additional instances of the most true-spirited and chastened enthusiasm. This feeling may be cherished by associationssuch as the Legislative society we have spoken of; and by the various county societies, and the clubs which are beginning to find a firm foothold in very many of our best farming towns. But the true We copy the following well-considered and source of genuine enthusiasm, after all, is private timely remarks from the Connecticut Valley Farm-study, to which we earnestly entreat our farmers-especially our young farmers, to give themer and Mechanic, published at Springfield. Mr. selves diligently and systematically.' CALHOUN, its able Editor, has attended many of these meetings, and can speak advisedly of their worth. We For the New England Farmer. LEGISLATIVE FARMERS. what he says in regard to making the business of On looking over the remarks reported to have agriculture more of a study. A good plow never been made at the First Agricultural meeting, I was designed without months, perhaps years, of endeavored to distinguish those made by gentlemen close study, and to drain well a field is as scientific belonging to some branch of the present governan operation as to contrive a good plow. Read, ment of the State. The executive department were among the missing. The Senators were not there brothers, read; you who have not practised it and if anybody belonging to the House, said cannot be aware of the power it will give you over anything, I have not the pleasure of knowing them the resisting soil. in that capacity. Perhaps as this was the first "As the Legislature contains a large proportion meeting, they might not feel quite prepared to of farmers, the Agricultural society has been re-display their knowledge, and perhaps as so many organized to give them an opportunity to confer of the members of the Board of Agriculture were together, and to discuss, with the aid of such sci- there, who are presumed, ex officio, to have some entific gentlemen as may be induced to attend knowledge of the subject discussed; that the talktheir meetings, matters that are of interest and ing men of the Senate and the House, might hold back for this reason. I think it but fair, that value in the farmer's profession and pursuits.There can be no doubt that these Legislative Ag- these officials should have an opportunity to display their knowledge, at these meetings and that the ricultural meetings have been of great benefit.Whatever crudities may occasionally be uttered, people should have an opportunity to learn what there has always been a substantial amount of they do know. Men often acquire a reputation for good sense and practical experience, which have wisdom, by keeping their mouths closed. There characterized their doings. is a time for speaking, as well as for silence-and thinking minds is always discernable; for enough while these meetings are in session, is the time for is said at every meeting to awaken thought and those who know anything, to let it out-those who do not know, are wise in not presuming to speak. investigation. A favorable effect on X. TO CORRESPONDENTS.-Several valuable com These meetings have been kept up for a long series of years; and it would be an ill omen to the farmer if they should be discontinued. During the period of their existence, valuable improve- munications are on hand, which shall have respectments in the business of farming have been sug-ful attention, in good time. We are under re newed obligations to correspondents, and would before sowing. The land should be good, friable, say that when communications are delayed, (as soil, not necessarily rich, as experience has taught they sometimes are for months) it is usually for me that as many can be raised on deep, sandy one of two reasons; either that they are, miller land should be thoroughly pulverized with the loam, as on "rich bottom land." The top of the fashion, waiting their turn, or are postponed to a head of an iron-tooth or wooden rake. The seed season when they will be more applicable and have should be sown with a machine (if you have more force. twelve square rods, as it will save expense) as soon as from the 20th to the 25th of May, if the CULTIVATION OF ROOTS. season and soil will allow. The drills should be MR. EDITOR:-Though much has been said and from fourteen to seventeen inches wide. They much more written on the importance of the cul- should be wed with a hoe some three times; the ture of the various root crops to the farmers of New first should occur as soon as the young plants can England, yet, but very few, comparatively, of the be seen in the drills, if the ground is at all inclined great mass of the farming community, have, to to weeds, as a "stitch in time will save nine." any considerable extent, practically tested their The use of the carrot, as of course, its culture, value. Too many are contented with the same has, till within a few years, been very limited. It old routine of farm crops, and the mode of their was used almost exclusively for culinary purposes, culture adopted by their fathers who have gone as no farmer then dreamed of feeding them to anbefore them, or possess too little enterprise and imals. Of course, half a square rod sown in the energy to attempt improvement. Ours is a day garden would produce an abundant supply for a of progress, as well in relation to the produce of large family. Now, many farmers in Worcester the farmer, as it is of the manufactory of the hun- county, raise from one-eighth of an acre to an dreds of new and useful fabrics and implements acre or more, and feed them to all kind of neat that are turned out from the factories and work- stock, horses and swine. They are the best of any shops. I know many farmers will give you the of the root crops that I have ever tried, (though I stereotyped answer to all your suggestions of im- have not cultivated the beet, which is, undoubtprovement: "My father did so and so, and was edly, very valuable), especially, for breeding cows considered a good farmer;" "I don't know about and swine, as they require more liquid than aniall your new-fangled ideas about farming; I be- mals that are fallow or fattening. I think they lieve I am about as safe to keep on in the old are worth more for swine, bushel for bushel, than path." Well, I know our fathers adopted many potatoos. They possess less of the starch and more practices of industry and economy that their sons of the saccharine. The latter is the most nutriwould do well to copy, but because that is true, tious, though I do not now recollect the compar I do not wish to return to the use of the old wood ison by a chemical analysis. For a number of en plow, or to the old wood shovel, lined with years past, I have kept my swine almost exclusome five pounds of iron. I do not wish to go sively on carrots through the winter season, and back to the old well-curb, in a cold, January never had them do better. morning, eight or ten rods from the house, be- Now for the profit. That is the Yankoo's test cause our fathers had not discovered the lead aque- of the propriety of almost everything. The ex duct and the hydraulic ram. I have often heard pense of land, rent, manure, culture and gathermy venerable grandfather say, that some seventy-ing, as presented by the competitors in the Fitchfive or eighty years since, a farmer living in West- burg Agricultural and Industrial Association, minster, raised twenty-five bushels of potatoes, and ranged from ten to fifteen dollars per eighth of the crop was considered so extravagant, that it an acre. That or more was the amount required made a town talk;" but now some farmers raise for premiums. The average produce was about nearly as many hundreds, and sell them all at a 112 to 115 bushels. I raised on 43 square rods great profit. I know one neighborhood (I think (219) two hundred and nineteen and a half bushall in one school district) where, a few years since, els, or about eight hundred bushels to the acre. I nine farmers raised on their own farms, fourteen recently sold 30 bushels, 57 pounds to the bushel, thousand bushels of potatoes for the Boston mar- for 33 cents per bushel, which I considered very low. Now for the clean profits. The expense But to the culture of the carrot. Three topics per acre is about $96, and the carrots, at 33 seem to suggest themselves; their culture, their cents per bushel only, amount to $264, leaving use and their profit. Soil should be selected that a net profit on a single acre of land to equal, if has been cultivated the year previous with corn, not exceeding, the annual value of the aggregate potatoes, or some other crop that has thoroughly farms in New England. ket. pulverized the soil. Some have sown upon the The fact is, we have begun to develop the capa ground just after turning the green sward. That bilities of the earth to produce food for man and is a mistake, as the unrotted sward prevents the beast. I do not doubt the abilities of the soil of root from penetrating a sufficient depth. The our country alone to produce an abundance for all crop, everything else being the same, will not the wants of five hundred human millions of beings equal two-thirds as much as if sown upon pulver- -more than half of the present population of the ized soil cultivated the year previous with some globe, and I believe an all-wise and benificent other crop. The soil should be well manured. Father will yet thus people this green carpeted Put from twenty to twenty-five cart loads of well earth, not only on this continent, but on every rotted manure upon the acre. It should be rood of soil of the globe. But I must stop. Let plowed, ten inches in depth, as early as the sea- me just say, however, that if I can find some leison will allow, taking care to spread the manure sure evening, and shall not be regarded as an inas even as may be before plowing. The soil should truder upon the time of yourself or readers, I be well plowed twice, and thoroughly harrowed would like to say a few words upon another branch 1854. 133 of farming, far more important to the happiness debate. We have known a few absolutely ruined and profit of New England farmers than the one by this very process. They "outgrew their shoes." we have been considering. I mean fruit raising. JOSHUA T. EVERETT. Everettville, Westminster, Jan. 15, 1853. They substantially outgrew their dresses and their story. Fitchburg Sentinel. We commend these considerations to our agricultural friends, and to the press. It is not nec FARMERS IN PUBLIC PLACES. MAN. At the same time, some of our most fluent The press has been burdened of late years with essary to be a good public speaker in order to be a lectures and sermons and satires, addressed to agorators" are, and are regarded as, very small men, while those who are always speaking in pubriculturists, reprobating the fact that, on public occasions, as cattle-shows, &c., when speeches are lic are always laughed at. Of this, the last, we never knew an exception.-Plough, Loom and to be made, they fall into the rear, and speak only Anvil. by proxy. Facts are as stated. We have a word to say as to their propriety. We remember that Lord Mansfield is reported to have said that he should be as much ashamed to know statute law as not to know common law. AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS. In the October number of this journal, on page The reason is obvious. Statutes are constantly 315, in a notice of the value of domestic animals changing, and not one in a hundred is ever called in the United States, as shown by the last census, to the notice of a lawyer. Hence, to study them it is stated that "Vermont stands highest on the so as thoroughly to understand them in all their list of the Northern States; the estimated value sachusetts was $9,647,710." relations, would be time thrown away, and labor of her live stock was $12, 643,228. That of Maswithout profit. But we are persuaded that it So far is Vermont from "standing highest on the list of Northern States" in the value of live It is so, in our opinion, with the entire catalogue of working-men. If any one has the "gift" of public speaking without study, or experience, or science, stock, that she possesses only one-sixth as much as we know not why he may not show it up. For the State of New York. The latter returned $73, the sake of the bar and the pulpit, and for their 570,499; while the six New England States reNew York has about seventy per cent. more clients' and hearers' sake, we wish this faculty did turned only $42,400,222. "come by nature. is not thus that men are eloquent, or persuasive, capital invested in live stock than either Ohio or or instructive. Such qualities are only the result Pennsylvania. If any one is curious to learn in of much reading, of careful and close study, and what part of the United States may be found 500, no little experience. Hence, if farmers do make 000 acres of improved land in a body that yield speeches, the presumption is, that the result will the greatest value per acre, he will find them not be about as happy as if a lawyer were to under-close to any of the Atlantic cities from Boston to take some of the most difficult and intricate of far- New Orleans, not in New England, Ohio, nor in mer's work, or a clergyman were to undertake to any of the rich farming districts at the West or play mechanic. South, but in Western New York, and mainly in duce its maximum in money, is itself a profound True, we have some lawyers and some doctors, the valley of the Genesee. To make a farm prostudy. The farmers of Monroe county have this and some men of leisure, who enrol themselves on the list of farmers. Some are educated at college, or other equally useful institutions, so as to make day over $800,000 invested in farm implements them conversant with language and science; and and labor-saving machines. They are just bein their true light. thus, and thus only, are competent to acquit them-ginning to view the art and science of production -Southern Cultivator. selves handsomely in public speaking. But not one half the lawyers, nor one-half the minister, nor one half the doctors, can make a good speech at a dinner-table, or at a public anni versary. Our Benevolent Societies, annually FINE CORN CROP. D. LEE. Mr. GEORGE W. WINSLOW, of Epping, N. H. meeting in New York and Boston, are obliged to tells us below how he raised about 114 bushels of use over their old stock, and that, too,several times "This field of corn was remarked, by good praeFew if any This is a matter of notoriety. Under such circum-tical farmers, to be the evenest lot of equal size, stances, to laugh at farmers for not exposing them- (one acre and 113 rods), ever seen. selves as volunteer bores, is far from being judi- hills were missing on the field; and three ears only, were seldom found on a hill: on most of the cious or in good taste. The farmer who toils all day, and at night makes hills were four and five ears, and on many there plans for to-morrow, how can he be expected to were six, seven and eight; making five ears, I become a good and acceptable speaker? If he has think, a low estimate for the average. The hills acquired the art before he becomes a farmer, or were three feet apart each way, giving 4,840 hills the mechanic before he becomes a working me- to the acre, which multiplied by 5, the number of chanic, it is all well. We wish many, a multitude, ears on a hill, giving 24,200 ears on an acre. might thus qualify themselves before they com- have ascertained by shelling and counting that 212 ears only, are required for a bushel of shelled corn. mence these arduous pursuits. Besides, our farmers are proverbially modest Now divide the number of ears on an acre, (24,200) Different causes conspire to make them so. by 212, the number required for a bushel, and it We should regret a change, and nothing would so gives 114 bushels and about 6 quarts to the acre. thoroughly effect this change as frequent public-Exeter News-Letter. within our own recollection, and even then fail to corn to the acre. sustain the interest with which they first began. men. I |