a misapprehension with many of the principles of draining. Irriga- to the barley and hop trade, with a view of submitting an abstract tion is employed to furnish water to soils, generally slopes, where it of the facts to your consideration. is deficient, and from whence it speedily passes off, or to cover grounds Two-thirds of all the barley grown in the United states is believin winter to exclude severe frosts. The water thus employed is near-ed to be marketed at Albany and the neighboring towns upon the ly of the warmth of the atmosphere, and is generally charged with fer-Hudson. The amount brought to our market last year, is estimated tilizing properties. Draining is employed upon flat surfaces, or upon at 450,000 bushels. It is of two kinds-two rowed and six rowed, slopes abounding in springs, where there is an excess of water, and of one possessing a thin and the other a thick skin, and larger beiry, a temperature which materially chills and deadens the soil. Irriga-ill adapted to be malted together, as one kind malts quicker than the tion supplies water where there is a deficiency-draining carries it other, and becomes sensibly deteriorated before the saccharine mat. off where there is an excess. Both are intended, by opposite modes,ter of the other kind is fully developed. The two varieties are often to produce the same result-a suitable degree of moisture for the mixed by the grower; but that which passes through second hands, wants of the crop. as the merchant, boatman, &c. is almost universally so, and is be. We have illustrations in abundance of the advantages of draining; sides frequently adulterated with oats and other foreign matters, and so apparent have been its benefits, in districts where it had a which seriously depreciate its value. It is stated that the deteriorafair trial, that a knowledge of the science, for a science it may be tion and loss consequent upon the bad condition of the barley brought called, is considered an important branch of agricultural knowledge. to market the last season, was equal to ten per cent, or 45,000 bushUpon one estate in Scotland, where the farmers are generally te-els-which, expressed in money, at 75 cents the bushel, amounɩs to nants, sixty-five miles of under drains have been made within a few || $33,750. years, at the joint expense of the landlord and tenant. The bene- Serious as our loss seems to be from the bad management of our tits of this expenditure have been-to the landlord, an additional 5s. barley, it will be found to be no less so upon our hop crop. About per acre upon his annual rental-and to the tenants, a more than 2,300 bales, or 50,000 pounds, is the estimated quantity brought to corresponding advantage in the increase of their crops. A gentle-market the last year. Of this quantity, I am assured by the best man who deservedly ranks high in this society,* and who has been judges of the article, there were not 200 bales which ought to have a pioneer in this branch of improvement, has assured me, in answer been denominated first sorts. Many of the hops were imperfectly to my inquiries, that he has applied under draining to twenty differ-dried, and in consequence of the moisture in them when bagged, a ent fields, to the extent of more than two thousands rods, at the ave- fermentation was induced highly detrimental to their quality. The rage cost of fifty cents per rod; and that he has been fully remune- criterion by which hops are determined to be well dried is, when the rated for the outlay in every instance, in the increased products of stocks become perfectly shrivelled and dry. This is not found to be the three years. In some cases, he adds, where the lands produced case with those sent to this market, and the effect is, that deteriora. coarse grass of little value, and where tillage was out of the question goes on till the hops are used; whereas well dried hops lose very tion, he has expended twenty dollars per acre in under draining, and little of their goodness by being kept over. Again-too much heat, now grows upon these lands Indian corn, oats, wheat and clover, particularly in the outset, is prejudicial, as it drives off with the mois. luxuriantly. The value of this land has been increased from 20 to 100 dollars per acre, or 500 per cent, by the operation of draining.I have had some personal experience in this sort of improvement, and have made it the subject of calculation, and am induced to believe that where stone is convenient, efficient and permanent under drains may be made as low, if not lower, than what they cost my friend. A laborer accustomed to the work averaged ten rods per day upon my farm, for thirty days. The ground was sandy and soft. Other materials were substituted for stone, which would, had they been employed, have required more labor, though they had been prepared to his hands. The benefits of under drains are not limited to lands which show water upon the surface. We may often notice at midsummer, that some flat lands have a sterile and compact appearance, whose general aspect would indicate fertility. Th's is readily accounted for by supposing what is often known to be the fact, that the soil reposes upon a compact strata which prevents the descent of water, and which has not sufficient inclination to pass it off. This water chills the ground, retards the decomposition of vegetable food, and causes comparative infertility. This may be effectually remedied by parallel under drains, the space between them to depend upon the compactness of the soil, a drain being supposed to collect the water nine or ten feet on each side in the most tenacious ground. It is usual, where fields are thus drained, to make a cross drain along the upper side, and also one along the lower side, to receive and carry off the water which the parallel drains collect from the soil. Barley and Hops are becoming important staples of our state, particularly of the northern and western portions. Few persons, I presume, have a just conception of the quantity which we annually produce, or the immense loss we sustain for want of better knowledge, and more care in cultivating and preparing these crops for market. Our soil and climate are found to be well adapted to their growth, and we have produced as fine samples of both as are grown in any part of the world. Independent of an increasing home consumption, the hop in particular is always in demand for exportation. If in good condition, it is one of the most profitable crops to the grower that can be raised. If in bad condition, it is often a losing concern, not even affording a return for the labor bestowed in its culture. Deeming the subject one of deep interest to the community, and as coming particularly within the province of this society, I have been at some pains to collect data from the best sources in relation "The late H. W. Delavan, Esq. B VOL. I. ture the aroma or essential oil which gives value to the hop. A great portion of our hops are picked too early, before they are sufficiently matured, while other parcels are scorched or otherwise injured in the process of curing; and although they might bear a superficial appearance of being prime, most of them, on critical examination, were found to be extremely deficient in the principle which gives them value. While the average price may be stated at 18 cents, many of these hops are declared not to have been worth two cents the pound. Here then-if the data which I have given are correct-are two of the staple productions of our soil, on which we have lost, or what amounts to the same thing, have failed to realize, from 50 to 100,000 dollars in a single year, from carelessness, or a want of knowledge in their culture and preparation for market. To what extent might this sum be swelled, were we to embrace in this inquiry, the other products and labors of husbandry! A like disparity, I apprehend, between good and bad management would be found to exist in almost every department of our agriculture. Division of Labor, although not so well adapted to farm labor as it is to the mechanic and manufacturing arts, is nevertheless susceptible of being advantageously studied and applied by the husbandman. The process of pin making is subdivided into seven branch. es, to each of which is assigned a distinct set of hands. The ad vantages which result from this arrangement may be appreciated when I state, that where the workmen who whiten the pins to per. form all the different processes, they would cost in making “three times and three-quarters as much as they now do by the application of the division of labor."* This principle is extensively adopted in manufactures, and is no inconsiderable cause of the reduction of price of their fabrics. It has been advantageously introduced in the farming of Great Britain. Men are kept as much as possible to the same branch of labor, because by becoming familiar with it, they perform more and do it better, as a great individual responsibility rests upon them. All light work is performed by women and child. ren. A man who can earn six shillings should not be employed on what a boy can do equally well, who is paid two shillings per day. Say a farm affords one hundred days of this kind of labor in a year the gain to the cultivator, by employing the boy instead of the man will amount to fifty dollars. New articles of Culture.-Forty years ago cotton was hardly recognized as an article of culture in the United States. In 1832, it constituted by far our greatest material of export, the quantity ex Babbage on the Economy of Machinery. ceeding three hundred and twenty-two millions of pounds, and the ordinarily plant four acres. His expense then will be sixty dollars. estimated value falling but a fraction short of thirty-two millions of If the crop yields him thirty bushels an acre-and more falls short dollars. In addition to this, the home manufacture of the raw ma-than goes over this quantity-and he sells the product at fifty cents terial now gives employment to half a million of our population, while the bushel, he will be remunerated for his labor, but get not a cent the goods fabricated from it constitute a material source of our inter-of profit. Now, if instead of thirty, the acre was made to produce, by nal commerce. Who can pretend to say what will be the great sta-good management, eighty bushels, the four acres, at the assumed price, ples of our country forty years hence? Almost every discovery in would pay for the labor and afford him a nett profit besides, of one hunscience calls into existence a new art, and almost every new art fur-dred and thirty dollars. Here then would be a difference, in one nishes a new demand for some product of the soil. It is the pro-year, in the profits of four acres, of $130, all resulting from good and vince of wisdom to keep pace with the knowledge of the times, that bad management. I beg leave here, as affording to my hands a it may profit by its constant improvements. There is already an in-happy illustration of the contrast I would exhibit, the practice of an creasing demand for products of the soil, which we have the ability individual who stands deservedly high as a practical farmer,* and as to supply, but which we continue to import from Europe. Madder, a gentleman of respectability and veracity. I will first show what woad and weld are essential to our manufactures, and the quantity his land DID produce; and then what it DOES produce. "The land which is consumed, draws no inconsiderable amount annually from I now till, (he observes,) at first, would not produce, on an average, our country. Our soil and climate are adapted to their culture, and more than fifteen or twenty bushels of corn, ten or fifteen bushels of with a little enterprise and experience we may soon be able to sup-wheat, barley, or rye, and from half a ton to one ton of hay." By ply the home demand. The madder now imported is computed to good management, economizing manures, and a proper rotation of cost more than two millions of dollars per annum. crops, he adds, "some of my fields now yield from eighty to one hunThe turnip culture will yet become, as it has proved in Britain, dred bushels of corn, thirty-five to forty bushels of wheat, fifty to the basis of a great improvement in our husbandry. Turnips are at sixty of barley, and from two and a half, to three and a half tons of the same time an ameliorating and a cleansing crop, and are admi-hay per acre, and with less labor (except in harvest) than when I did rably fitted to precede barley or wheat. But their chief value con-not raise more than one-third or one quarter as much per acre as I do sists in the abundant product, and the adaptation of the crop to the now." The same intelligence and industry, that have trebled or wants of all descriptions of farm stock, at the time when succulent quadrupled the profits of this farm, will produce like results whenfood is most wanted, and when it can be but scantily supplied from ever they are diffused and brought into exercise. other crops. The Swedish variety has a decided preference. On I have thus adverted, gentlemen, to those defects in our husbandlands adapted to their culture, 600 bushels, or twenty tons of roots ry, to which I proposed at this time to call your attention, and have from the acre may be stated as a moderate average crop. The endeavored to show their magnitude, and the importance of applygreatest objection to their culture is the labor and expense of securing efficient remedies. I will now call your attention to some of the ing them for winter use; but this is far greater in imagination than available means of placing our agriculture on a more respectable in reality. On this I can speak from personal experience. A neigh- and productive basis. The means which I shall particularly com bor raised last year from five acres of land, three thousand bushels, mend to your notice, may be embraced under the following heads: which he has fed during the winter, and upon which he is now fat- 1. A school, to illustrate the principles of science upon which the tening more than one hundred wethers, besides oxen. labors of agriculture are based, and to teach the best models of pracThe raising of mulberry trees and the production of silk is another tice. branch of rural labor yet new among us, which bids fair to become a 2. A more general diffusion of useful knowledge, in a cheap form, source of individual and national wealth, and which this society can en-accessible to the humblest condition in life. lighten and promote. The experiments already made have shown, that 3. Agricultural associations; and, while the business abstracts very little labor from the ordinary em- 4. The bestowments of pecuniary rewards, as stimulants to enterployments of the farm, it is susceptible of yielding a handsome in-prise and industry. come to the farmer. The early attention of this Society in distributing seeds of the mulberry, has done much towards introducing and extending this branch of labor. It is computed that that seed may have produced half a million of trees, and that this number may have been doubled by individual efforts in that time. A new species of the mulberry, (morus multicaulis,) has been introduced from the Phillippine Islands, through France, by M. Perrottet, which promises new advantages in the production of silk. The tree is as thrifty and as hardy and as easily propagated as the white mulberry, while the leaves being much larger, are far more easily gathered, and are said to be better adapted to the production of fine silk than the other species of this tree. The Asiatic mulberry was introduced into France in 1824, and in 1830, it bore seeds abundantly. I would beg leave to suggest that the corresponding secretary be instructed to procure seed of the morus multicaulis, with a view of its being distributed by this society. I need not stop to dwell upon the advantages which learning af fords to agricultural labor. Science may be defined a study of the immutable laws of the Creator which govern and regulate mind and matter. The study of these laws, and their application to the wants and comforts of life, have for ages constituted one of the highest and most useful employments of man; and have contributed, more than any other human effort, to refine and elevate us above the grosser and degraded condition of savage life. The concentrated benefits of these labors are now proffered to our hands. The pleasures and the benefits which they impart, are held out as noble rewards to mental labor, in the same spirit that the blessings of health and competence are promised to him who "earns his bread by the sweat of the brow." Labor, mental or bodily, is the inseparable attendant of rational enjoyment. And is that knowledge to be contemned, which has done so much good to the world, and which has countless blessings yet in store for the human family? "In a theological view," says The demand for silk fabrics is already great in the United States, a late eminent writer,† "science is nothing else than a rational inand is likely to increase in a far greater ratio than our population.quiry into the arrangements and operations of the Almighty, in orThe importation of silks in 1832, amounted to ten million dollars.der to trace the perfections therein displayed. And what, continues As an article of export, the raw material will be in demand for the our author, are the truths which science has discovered? They may European, and the manufactured fabrics for the South American be regarded as so many rays of celestial light descending from the market. France imports raw silk to the value of 30,000,000 francs, Great Source of Intelligence to illuminate the human mind in the and in Great Britain, the annual importation of the article exceeds knowledge of the Divine character and government, and to stimu120,000,000 dollars. Hence there is little danger of the market be- late it to a still more vigorous exertion in similar investigations, just coming overstocked. as the truths of revelation are so many emanations from the Father of Lights,' to enlighten the darkness, and to counteract the disor Iders of the moral world." The contrast in the profits of good and bad farming is worthy of a moment's notice, as few take the trouble to scan it with care. have already alluded to the bad management of our hop crop. Had all the hops which were brought to this market the last year been equal in quality to the best, and such they probably might have been with better knowledge and more care in their management-some twenty or thirty thousand dollars might have been put in the pockets of the growers, which they failed to obtain. Let us examine what the difference is in the corn crop. I estimate the cost of cultivating and harvesting an acre of corn at fifteen dollars, and that a farmer will other relieved, by common consent, and at the common charge. Well and in the neatness and order of their domestic arrangements; they have erected splendid and extensive establishments for the vicious bring them acquainted with each other's improvements and means and the poor. The county of Albany has been at greater expense of economising labor; instruct them in the comparative value of for its poor than would be required of the state to establish and sup-breeds of animals and the relative value of crops. They promote port a school of agriculture. Would it not evince both prudence industry, frugality, and the love of knowledge. They tend to muland economy to endeavor to prevent, or to lessen, these growing evils tiply our comforts and increase our wealth, by the laudable emulain society, by devoting a portion of the common means to schools,tion they call into action, and to enlighten and embellish our country. which should teach the hands useful labor, and imbue the heart with And yet I am sensible that those associations find but comparathe love of virtue? The adage teaches, that "an ounce of preventively few ardent advocates among our farmers. Many are indiffetion is worth a pound of cure." If ignorance be one of the chief rent because they do not appreciate their benefits, or from an apacauses of vice, and indolence the parent of want; and if knowledge thy, common to our nature, in every measure which does not probe one of the mainsprings of virtuous conduct, and competence the mise present gain. Some will not support them, lest they should sure reward of industry-then the more knowledge is diffused, and lose a day or a dollar. And others oppose them from an envious the more that industry is encouraged, the less we shall be called wish to deprive their neighbors of that public commendation which upon to expend upon poor-houses and penitentiaries. It no longer they are conscious they do not themselves deserve, and are not likeadmits of doubt, that knowledge and industry are the great conser-ly to obtain. The man who thinks and acts only for self, regardless vators of public morals, as well as the great instruments of public of the welfare of those around him, and who fancies that he rises bewealth. cause others sink, mistakes alike his interest and his duty, and is a stranger to those ennobling feelings which-flow from disinterested acts of benevolence and philanthropy. "If the comparison may be tolerated, I would liken the selfish man to the moon, whose sombre rays impart no vivifying influence upon terrestrial objects :-and his contra to the sun, shedding abroad on every side his effulgent beams, and dispensing life, light and gladness to all around. It has been remarked, that the more we provide for any one class, the more it will increase. This would seem to hold good in regard to the vicious propensities of our nature, and why not in regard to habits that are commendable and praiseworthy? || premium, to make some new application of science, or some new experiment in practical husbandry, which shall prove successful, and lead to important public benefits, we become gainers, however expensive the investigation on the experiment may have been to him who obtains the premium. In this way great public improvements have accrued; and like means will produce like results. These reresearch, and to the development of inventive genius; which, like the seed whose latent vitality is quickened into action by solar influence, grows, expands and matures into fruits of usefulness. Go to the American Institute at New-York, and see the numerous productions which its premiums are eliciting from science and art. Look at Scotland, a country which is surpassed by none in recent improvements in husbandry, and where agricultural premiums have been awarded for fifty years, and see its society distributing nearly ten thousand dollars a year, as rewards for diligence and skill displayed in her rural affairs. But I need not seek for illustrations abroad. They abound in every county in our state where premiums have been awarded. Upon this subject I quote again my highly respectable correspondent, who remarks in strong language-"I have no doubt that the money which was appropriated by the state to encourage agriculture, has increased the wealth of this county more than twenty per cent a year." To speak practically. Our agriculture is greatly defective. It is susceptible of much improvement. How shall we effect this improvement? The old are too old to learn, or rather, to unlearn what The remaining subject which I proposed to notice, is the awardhave been the habits of their lives. The young cannot learn as they ing premiums for beneficial experiments and improvements in husought to learn, and as the public interests require, because we have bandry. I confess I am not satisfied of the utility of paying for the no suitable school for their instruction. We have no place where largest products or the fattest animals, yet I believe there are many they can learn the principles upon which the practice of agriculture other subjects on which premiums may be awarded with public adis based-none where they can be instructed in all the modern im-vantage. If my neighbor shall be induced by the expectation of a provements of the art. It is devoutly to be hoped, that our fathers in council, justly appreciating the importance of the subject, will add another to the proud trophies which New-York has already won in the noble march of improvement, by properly responding to the correct views of this subject expressed in the message of our chief magistrate. Our periodical publications, devoted to the interests of the agri-wards are often the exciting cause to active industry, philosophical cultural and mechanical classes, have proved highly beneficial, and are daily enlarging the sphere of their influence. These benefits, however, may be greatly multiplied by a cheap work, adapted to the means of persons in humble circumstances, and to the economy of those who are able but unwilling to expend two or three dollars a year for an agricultural paper. It is believed there are more than 200,000 farmers in the state who read little or nothing calculated to improve their knowledge in the business by which they live. With the view of bringing the subject before the society, I have made inquiries as to the price at which a respectable publication of this character can be printed. The estimates have been predicated upon the supposition, that the editorial labors will be gratuitous-that the subscriptions will uniformly be paid in advance-that arrangements will be made to give it an extensive circulation, and that an edition of at least ten thousand copies will be disposed of. The result of my inquiries is, that a monthly publication, of sixteen quarto pages to each number, making one hundred and ninety-two pages in a year, can be furnished in parcels of twenty or more, at twentyfive (50) cents per annum. The postage to any place within the state will swell the cost to the subscriber to thirty-seven and a half (621) cents per annum. An amount so trivial, as to win indifference, and to silence the objections of avarice. I submit to you, gentlemen, whether a more efficient mode of furthering one of the objects of our association-the diffusion of useful knowledge-can be devised, than the one here presented. Through the liberality of two public spirited and highly respected gentlemen,* a specimen sheet of the proposed publication has been published, and has been submitted for public examination. Under the auspices of this society, the CULTIVATOR may be rendered a vehicle of useful knowledge, and a means of effecting great public good. I commend it to your guardian care. In referring to agricultural associations, as a means of improvement, I think I shall be sustained by the opinions of those present, as well as by the authority of past experience, in the little I have to say. These associations tend to promote social and friendly intercourse, and an interchange of kind offices; to make our farmers emulous of excelling in their cattle, in their crops, their buildings I have thus gone through with what I proposed to embrace in this address. I have pointed out some of the prominent defects in our husbandry, and have suggested means of remedying them at least in part. The means are partially at your command, and over them all you can exercise a salutary influence. I hope the present opportunity will not be suffered to pass without a united and successful effort to advance the objects of public usefulness for which we have associated, and for which we have met on this occasion. Ballston, Dec. 3d, 1833. To Jesse Buel, Esq. President of the New-York State Agricultural Society: SIR-In reply to your letter of the 27th ultimo, in which you ask me to state to you the result of my experience of the utility and expense of under-draining farm lands, I have to observe, that it is a subject to which I have devoted some attention for the few years during which I have had an interest in agricultural pursuits, and my opinion of its great utility is confirmed by every successive day's observation. I have applied under-draining to twenty different fields, to the extent of more than two thousand rods, and compute the average cost at half a dollar per rod. The expense, however, is determined by the proximity of materials, and the economy with which the work is performed. I am convinced the operative farmer, who performs his own labor, and planted it two feet eight inches apart, with eight rowed yellow can effect similar improvements considerably less than I have stated. corn. When the stalks were fit to cut, I had the curiosity to ascerIn some instances, the state of my lands required an expenditure tain the weight of the corn and stalks on an acre, and found that I of at least $20 per acre in draining. In such cases the produc-had 38,000 pounds, and 26,000 ears of corn. This was the heaviest tion was coarse, unwholesome grasses, of little value, and tillage growth I think that I ever raised, and I have no doubt that there was quite out of the question. Twenty dollars per acre was the ex- was 150 or 160 bushels of corn when fit to crib. tent of the value of the land; whereas, after being effectually drained and cultivated, these lands have produced Indian corn, oats, wheat and clover in great luxuriance, paying an income on one hundred dollars the acre. Every practical farmer is aware of the inconvenience and disadvantage attending the cultivation of fields, the different parts of which are so various as to preclude a uniform crop and uniformity of cultivation. Draining is the remedy for this. Respectfully yours, DEAR SIR-I rejoice to learn, from the hints dropped in the course of conversation when you were last in town, that you have it in view to recall the public attention to the subject of agriculture, which, As the improvement here treated of is of the most enduring na-some few years since, obtained the patronage of the legislature, and, ture, it would be unfair to charge the expense attending it upon the I may add, was manifestly improved throughout this state, by the product of a single year. My belief is, that I have been fully re-impulse it then received. munerated by the increased products of three years in all cases; The scheme originally suggested for promoting agricultural knowand further, in nearly every field I have, at the termination of the ledge by our late governor, De Witt Clinton, in 1818, and the valustone drains, durable supplies of water for animals, which, in my able observations on that subject, contained in his annual messages estimation, fully compensate the whole expense incurred. to the legislature, since that period, cannot be too frequently called Upon the whole, I know of no subject, connected with agricultu-to our recollection, and made known throughout our land. ral improvement, of more importance than draining; and if these The establishment of agricultural associations of practical farmers facts I have detailed at your request, should lead a single individual in the different counties of this state, and who, as formerly, with the to experiment on this subject, I shall deem the hour occupied in the aid of legislative provision, shall be enabled to reward the enterprise detail fully compensated. and merit of those who may excel in improving the qualities of their I am, sir, very respectfully, your ob't servant, stock, or in augmenting the various produce of the soil, must doubtHENRY W. DELAVAN. less advance the interests of the farmer, diffuse a knowledge both of the principles and practice of agriculture, and increase the general resources of the state. It has also occurred to me, that the institution of one or more schools or colleges, with farms annexed to them, where the students of agriculture may practically acquire a knowledge of the art and science of farming combined, is a most desirable object, and cannot fail to prove highly useful to the community. As a garden is essentially necessary to teach the culture of plants, so is the farm required to illustrate the practice and the principles of agriculture. Letter from Earl Stimson to Jesse Buel, dated Galway, 18th Dec. 1833. DEAR SIR-In reply to yours of the 23d November, requesting some information in regard to the difference between good and bad farming, I submit the following facts: For this purpose, such agricultural school should be provided with competent instructors in all the different subjects necessary to constitute the scientific as well as the practical farmer. It should be supplied not only with teachers or professors capable of instructing youth in the various departments of practical husbandry, and the theory of farming, but also with able instructors in those collateral branches of science that are directly connected with agriculture, as geology, chemistry and natural history, embracing zoology, botany and mineralogy. To these should be added lectures on horticulture, rural economy and landscape gardening. The subject of agriculture, viewed in this extent, appears to me to claim our notice, as one of great importance to the character, as well as tributary to the interests and wealth of our state and country. When the land was first cleared in this towr, being about fortyfive years since, its timber consisted principally of beach, maple, elm, ash and basswood. The soil produced good crops of all kinds; but the farmers neglecting to save and apply their manure, the consequence was, that their crops decreased, and in about twenty-five years the land would not produce more than one-half as much, on an average, as when it was first cleared, and this half cost them more labor than when they got double the quantity of grain or grass. The land I now till, at first, would not produce on an average, more than fifteen or twenty bushels of corn, ten or fifteen bushels of wheat, barley or rye, and from half a ton to one ton of hay per acre. I commenced making, saving and applying my manure in the most economical way on the surface, and ploughing shallow; and in ten or twelve years I found I had brought it back to its original state of fertility. My practice has been to turn over the sod in the fall or spring, spread eight or ten tons of barn-yard manure on an acre, and then plant with corn; and to follow the corn with barley and grass seeds, putting three pounds of clover and four of timothy While you will doubtless recommend the society to ask from the seed on an acre; then let it lay two years to grass; then to go over state the appropriation of a small premium fund, in addition to that with the same rotation of crops; and my third rotation was first to be contributed as formerly by the different county societies, to be wheat, second corn, third barley, to seed down with, applying about bestowed upon the most successful cultivator of the soil, or breeder the same quantity of manure every time I turned over the sod. In of the various animals employed as stock, I hope you will not fail to this way, in the course of twenty years, I got some of my fields to urge the benefits to be derived from the establishment of an agricul yield from eighty to one hundred bushels of corn, thirty-five to forty tural college and farm, where youth may be instructed in all the dif bushels of wheat, fifty to sixty bushels of barley, and from two and ferent departments of knowledge necessary to constitute the scienan half to three and an half tons of hay per acre, and with less labor, tific as well as the practical cultivator of the soil: where the pupil except in harvesting, than when I did not raise only about one-third may be instructed, by the professor of agriculture, in a knowledge or one-quarter as much. I know from my own experience, that it of the general principles of farming, the rotation of crops as adapted does not cost one-half, if more than one-third as much, to raise a to different climates, soils and situations; where he can witness the bushel of grain by good husbandry, as it does by bad management. operation of the different implements of husbandry, obtain a knowThe farmers have much improved their farms. in this town, since ledge of the various animals, those best suited to our climate and our State Agric 'tural Society was organized, and of course their country, whether employed in the cultivation of the land, those most crops have increased in proportion. I have no doubt that the money profitable for the dairy, or are most valuable as food for man: where, which was appropriated by the state to encourage agriculture, has in-too, from the professor of chemistry as connected with agriculture, he creased the wealth of this county, MORE THAN TWENTY PER CENT A can learn the nature and composition of soils, the effects of manures, YEAR since, yet there seems to be a want of enterprise with our their various sorts, whether animal, vegetable or mineral; their dif farmers in promoting their true interest. ferent qualities and operation, whether acting directly as the food of The crops in this town were generally good the last season, ex-plants, or as condiments, exciting them to healthy growth: where, cept corn, which, owing to the unusually wet and cold season, did too, the pupil, under the professor of natural history, can acquire a not yield more than one-third or one-half of a usual crop. I planted knowledge of the various trees of the forest, whether cultivated for a field of four acres, which was in my highest state of cultivation. timber, for house, or ship building, whether employed in the various Occupied as pasture, I turned over the sod about the first of June,mechanic arts, or for the purpose of fuel: where, too, he can practi cally learn and witness the growth of the various fruit trees and port itself from the fees of education and of board that would be Instead of importing persons of these professions from abroad, as has hitherto been the practice of this country, an abundant supply of both classes may be furnished from such institution, not only well qualified in all the various branches of their pursuit, but possessing a knowledge of our seasons, climate, soil and habits of culture, (in which especially the foreigner, from want of experience, must be necessarily ignorant,) that would enable them at once to perform the duties of their calling, and to the greater satisfaction of their employer, than would be expected from the stranger to our climate and our customs. Apprentices, too, of good moral character, taken from those classes of society who cannot defray the expenses of their education, should be received at such establishment for a certain period of time, for the purpose of being taught the various practical branches of farming and gardening. The labor of such apprentices would also in a great degree, if not entirely, indemnify the institution for the expense incurred by their board and education. I have with great regret observed that the valuable suggestions, on the subject of agriculture, by the late governor Clinton, whose views were not limited to the fiscal or political concerns of the state, but extended to the general interest and welfare of his fellow-men, have been so totally disregarded since his death. The education of youth to farming, as a distinct profession, has always appeared to me a subject that merits as much attention from our citizens, and should receive the protecting care of our legisiature, as any other profession or occupation for which the various academies, schools and colleges of our state, have been established. While immense appropriations have been made from the public purse, for the institution and maintenance of schools and colleges, as preparatory to the learned professions, as they are too exclusively denominated, no provision has been made for qualifying youth for the profession of farming, which is perhaps equally important to the interests and happiness of the individual, as well as to the country in general, and which calls for instruction, and embraces in its various I am persuaded that an institution so manifestly useful in diffusing branches a system of education equally extensive with that of any an important branch of education, and spreading its benefits throughother pursuit to which the human mind can be directed. For these out our country, calls for little more than the protection given by purposes, too, a library containing the standard treatises on husband-the approbation of the state society with which you are connected, ry, horticulture, rural economy, planting, landscape gardening, the and the countenance of the legislature. various memoirs and transactions of the agricultural and horticultural societies of London, Edinburgh, France and other parts of Eu rope, as well as the various productions of our own country, should be attached to the proposed institution. A lecture room, where the contemplated lessons may be delivered, containing a chemical laboratory and apparatus, furnished with the necessary tests for examining the various soils and manures, and a repository, where the various tools and implements of husbandry, and models of the different improvements in their constructions may be exhibited, are also necessary in an establishment of this nature. A new learned profession, as it may with great propriety be denominated, being hereby presented to our notice, in addition to those of theology, law and medicine, it obviously becomes the interest of every parent who has a large family of children to provide for, to educate one or more of his sons to the profession of agriculture, as well as to those pursuits that have been enumerated. Indeed, in some instances this healthy and active occupation holds out peculiar inducements, especially where, as in certain families, or particular members of those families, a delicate frame of body exists, or a tendency to peculiar diseases is manifested, as scrofula or consumption such pursuit would be found especially beneficial, in imparting strength to the constitution, and thereby counteracting the evils to be apprehended. As the expense of the proposed system of education would be very moderate, and would fall within the reach of most of our citizens, and indeed of our farmers themselves, it would not fail to attract very general attention, and to invite our youth destined to reside in the country, and to engage in the cultivation of the soil, to avail themselves of the advantages of instruction in the branches enumerated, by spending one or more years in attendance upon the lectures delivered in such institution. I am, dear sir, with sentiments of the greatest respect, your friend, Extract of a letter to the President of the N. Y. State Agricultural Society, dated With regard to an agricultural school, it has always been a favorite project with me. Agriculture is a SCIENCE, and in this country, above every other, it should form an essential part of a classical, or what is called a liberal education; and I think there can be no doubt, that if such a school was properly endowed and rightly conducted, it would be more useful and better patronized than any other in the state, or indeed in the union. Our farmers, the best of them, have as yet advanced but a little beyond their horn-book in the science, and the reason is obvious. Their business has heretofore consisted in clearing up and in subdu ing new lands, and in preparing a rich and fertile natural soil for the reception of the seed; and in the management of this department of agriculture, I will venture to say they are not exceeded by any people on the face of the globe; but this is the mere rudiments, or simply the alphabet of the science. A new era has commenced in our agricultural pursuits; the new lands are principally subdued, and their soil, though naturally rich and fertile, has become exhausted, and in the common phrase, worn out, by the long course of unscientific tillage to which it has been subjected; and it is obvious to every one that the lands must be abandoned, or a more successful management adopted. The great business of agriculture must now consist in renovating and reclaiming an exhausted and impoverished soil, in such a manner as to produce the greatest possible profit with the least possible expense. On this subject our farmers are but imperfectly informed, even with its practical details; of the science they know nothing. When we take into view the great extent of our uninhabited ter- On this subject I could write volumes; but it is unnecessary. You ritory, our various soils and climates, the immediate return that know it all. would be derived from the successful cultivation of the land, by those Your contemplated cheap journal is a good thing, and I doubt well qualified by education to undertake its settlement, the induce- not it will take. I shall certainly do all in my power to encourage ments that are thereby held out to the industrious tenant, and the its circulation, and hope to be able to furnish something for its pagreat encouragement it affords to families to emigrate from the pre-ges. sent over-populous parts of our country, such a preparatory school of agricultural education appears to promise the most beneficial results. Such an establishment, too, by the great number of pupils that would resort to it from various parts of the state, and indeed existence in the disappointments and vexations of business, and live from the different states of the union, would in a great degree sup-"miserably and meanly, only to die magnifiently rich. Dupes.-The greatest dupes are those who exhaust an anxious |