Means for mental Improvement, by Rev. Dr. BLAKE.. On the construction of Wire Fences, by B. H. NOTT, Esq.,.. ... 353 355 357 358 359 361 362 364 365 367 Valuable Farm for Sale. Palmyra. The Lyons and Rochester turnpike passes in front of the THE subscriber offers for sale the farm on which he resides situated in Wayne county, N. Y., 13 miles east of the thriving village of house, which is a good two storied frame building 35 feet by 25, with cellar below, and kitchen, woodshed, &c. attached. It is pleasantly situated on the north side of and overlooking the valley of the Erie Canal, surrounded by shrubs and ornamental trees. There is a choice collection of the best varieties of cultivated fruit, consisting of Apple, Peach, Cherry and Plum orchards, also Apricots, Almonds, Nectarines, Filberts, Grapes, &c. The farm contains 100 acres, about 30 of which are between the house and Mud ereek well adapted to meadow and pasture. The plough land is a good 366 gravelly loam excellent for wheat, corn, barley, &c, in a high state of cultivation,-of wood there is about 17 acres well timbered. It has about 200 rods of thorn hedge, with abundance of durable fen368 cing materials. The farm is well located as to markets, mills, schools, situation is healthy, water good and convenient, so arranged 369 as to supply almost every lot. Out-buildings convenient and good. Also for sale three young draught Stallions, 4 years old, sired by his 370 imported draught horse "Samson." stock, see "Albany Cultivator" of Sept. 1849, page 289.) Also a (For description of whose fine large breeding mare, of same stock, with a foal by her side "by Nottingham's and Allen's Samson," (who took first premium as the best draught horse at the State Fair of 1849.) Also a large powerfully built two year old stud colt, from same mare, by the imported draught horse "Honest Tom." Inquiry may be made of R. B. Howland, Union Springs, Cayuga county. N. Y., or J. J. Thomas, Macedon, Wayne county, N. Y. For particulars address the subscriber. JOHN ROBINSON Palmyra, Wayne county, N. Y., 9 month 26, 1850-11. Notes of a tour in Central New York, by Prof. J. P. NORTON, 363 371 372 373 374 376 Small Potatoes for Planting, by O. S. MURRAY-The Season New Hampshire State Agricultural exhibition. Westchester Co. Ag. Fair-Drainage of Soils-Method of Poultry Exhibition in Boston-Deferred Notices,. 377 Fair of the American Institute-Exhibition of the Franklin 378 Long Island Lands-McCormick's Reaper-Answers to Inquiries, 379 Monthly Notices-To Correspondents, &c.,......... 280 $8,000 ACRES LONG ISLAND At Lake Road. THE UNDERSIGNED IS, AND HAS BEEN for several years, engaged in the improvement and cultivation of the wild lands of Long Island. The fact being now fully established, beyond any 369 doubt, that the land in the middle parts of the Island, along the borders of the L. I. Railroad, is as good and productive, when cultivated in the same manner, as any other part of Long Island. 8,000 acres are now offered for sale, in parcels to suit purchasers, from 10 acres, to 100, or 1,000, at a very low price, and on favorable terms. This tract is near the geographical centre of the Island, being about equi-distant from Long Island Sound, and the Great South Bay, (the Island being about 13 miles wide there,) and 48 miles from NewYork. STUDENTS are received in this Laboratory as a special class distinct from the other college departments, and instruction is given in all branches of Chemistry, both organic and inorganic, general and special. Every facility is afforded to those who desire to become proficient in Scientific Agriculture, in the analysis of soils, plants, animal substances, manures, &c. Students taken with special reference to their becoming instructors. A Course of Lectures upon Scientific Agriculture, by Prof. NORTON, will commence about the middle of January, and continue two and a half months. This course is intended to present a plain and intelligible view of the connections of science with agriculture, which may be understood by any farmer. Mr. Wurtz proposes to lecture on some points of Applied Chemistry during the summer The lectures of Prof. SILLIMAN on Geology and Mineralogy, and those of Prof. OLMSTED, On Natural Philosophy, Astronomy and Meteorology; also the college libraries and cabinets, are accessible to the students. term. For information as to terms, &c., apply to Prof. NORTON, Trees! Trees!! Trees!!! FOR SALE, at Mount Ida Nursery, Troy, N. Y., a choice variety Also, a good variety of Shade Trees, consisting of Scotch Elm, JOSEPH CALDWELL. Choice Fruit Trees. THE SUBSCRIBER would announce to the public that his stock of Apple Trees especially, this fall, is unusually large and fine, having a full stock of Baldwin, Rhode Island Greening, Northern Spy, Swaar, Boston Russet, Ladies Sweet, Yellow Harvest, &c., 6 to 9 feet and handsome, with all the leading as well as new choice and rare varieties, with a general assortment of Plums, Pears, Cherries, Apricots, Nectarines, Peaches, Quinces, Gooseberries, Grape vines and Currants, with Red Antwerp, Franconia and Fastolff Raspberries at 86 to $8 per 100. Strawberries of the best varieties assorted at $5 per 1000. There are many highly cultivated farms in the immediate vicinity, on the North and South side of this land-having been settled and cultivated more than 150 years. It is well watered, being bounded on the north by the famous Ronkonkama Lake-has also a large and never failing stream running through it. The lake and stream are full of fish-perch in the lake, and trout, in great abundance, and of large size, in the stream. The country abonnds in game, deer, and wild fowl. gently undulating, with an inclination to the South of about 15 feet The climate is mild and perfectly healthy, the surface is smootn, to the mile-the soil-free from stone, easy and pleasant to cultivate -is a loam, large portions of which may be called a heavy loam, or it is of sufficient tenacity to make sun-burnt brick, right out of the surface-is from 18 inches to 3 and 5 feet deep, and is susceptithrough this tract, affording easy and constant communication with ble of the highest degree of cultivation. The railroad passes the Brooklyn and New York markets, where the highest price in cash, can always be had for every article that the farmer and gardener can produce. To capitalists, an excellent opportunity is here presented to obtain a large tract of valuable land at a low price, possessing all the advantages for settlement of a new country, with out any of the privations, but with all the privileges and comforts Agriculturist, 187 Water st.; to Messrs. Starr & Alburtis, Editors of an old. Apply to A. B. ALLEN, Esq., Editor of the American Wood, 82 Nassau-st., New-York, or to of the Farmer and Mechanic, 122 Nassau st.; to Messrs. Dewey & E. F. PECK, 306 State st., Brooklyn, L. I. Lake Road is an important and central depot on the Railroad -there are large buildings and a settlement there. Oct. 1-2. THE CULTIVATOR Is published on the first of each month, at Albany, N. Y., by All subscriptions to commence with the volume, (the Jan. All subscriptions, not renewed by payment for the next year, are discontinued at the end of each volume. The back vols. can be furnished to new subscribers-and may be obtained of the following Agents: NEW-YORK-M. H. NEWMAN & Co., 199 Broadway. BOSTON-J. BRECK & Co., 52 North Market-st., and E. WIGHT, 7 Congress-st PHILADELPHIA-G. B. ZIEBER. ADVERTISEMENTS-The charge for advertisements is $1, for 12 lines, for each insertion. No variation made from these terms Close of the Volume. THE close of the year brings us again to the point at which it becomes necessary, in accordance with our established plan, to commence our subscription list anew. The present number completes the seventh volume of the new series of THE CULTIVATOR, making the seventeenth from the commencement. Concerning our past course, we have little to offer; our work has been long before the public, and has been judged by its merits. We have no desire to appeal from that judgment, but shall labor assiduously, as we have hitherto done, to "IMPROVE THE SOIL AND THE MIND." The past year has brought many circumstances of encouragement, and that upon whose threshold we are about entering, is not without hopeful and cheering prospects. The taste for agricultural improvement is on the increase. The number of farmers who read and study-who en VOL. VII.-No. 12. of our young men, that honors were not to be found in the pursuit of agriculture, has been in a good de gree discarded. Many of the most intelligent class We are witnessing the ultimate effects of this influ have applied themselves to farming with energy. ence on the husbandry of the country. Farm ope. rations are carried on with more system, cultivation is practiced on more rational principles and with better and more certain returns. Our object will be, as it has always been, to encourage and carry forward this spirit of improve ment. Our work will contine to be a medium for the dissemination of principles and facts calculated to benefit all who are engaged in rural pursuits. In this labor we are happy in being permitted to say, that we shall receive the continued aid of Prof NORTON, of Yale College, and the Hon. F. HoL. BROOK, of Vermont-men whose scientific and practical knowledge of all that pertains to agriculture, places them in the first rank of writers on that subject. Our terms will be the same as heretofore-Single copy $1-Seven copies for $5-Fifteen copies, $10. deavor to trace the connection of cause and effect, in the various phenomena which pass under their observation, is being gradually but constantly aug mented. Thirty years ago, there was one, and only one, regularly issued agricultural periodical in PRESENT TO SUBSCRIBERS FOR 1851.-A copy of the United States; that was commenced in 1819." THE PICTORIAL CULTIVATOR ALMANAC for 1851," Three years later a second was started: it was a prepared and published expressly as a New-Year's Present for subscribers to THE CULTIVATOR, will subject of doubt, with some, whether the two would be sent to each, with the January number. It is be sustained. Now, no less than fifteen are issued greatly superior to any thing of the kind which has monthly, in the States, and one in Canada, besides yet appeared in this country, not only in the amount five weekly papers in which agriculture is the lead-cal finish, but it has been the aim to make it emiand richness of its engravings, and in its typopraphiing subject. There are also two or three periodicals specially devoted to horticulture. These publications wield a great influence. They have awakened a large body of the farmers to the importance of their calling, and realizing the great fact that agriculture feeds all and clothes all, they have been led to a just appreciation of their position in the social and political organization of society. They perceive that an art which lies at the foundation of all other arts, is inferior to none in dignity; and as they investigate its principles, they see that it affords ample scope for philosophic investigation, and the exercise of the powers of the mind. Men of intellect and ability have become convinced that agriculture presents a field worthy of their labors. The erroneous notion formerly entertained by many nently useful, by presenting as large an amount of valuable condensed reading as can be compressed within the allotted space; and to give nothing in the shape of facts or practical directions, the correctness of which has not been thoroughly proved. It is printed on the same size sheet, and intended to CULTIVATOR for 1851, with which it should be bound. form the first thirty-two pages of the volume of THE For Premiums to Agents, see last page of this number. our list of Agents; but we shall be glad to have We have not thought it necessary to re-publish all who are disposed to aid in promoting the circu lation of THE CULTIVATOR, consider themselves as especially appointed AGENTS to receive subscribers for our next volume, and for any aid they may ren der us, they will receive our hearty thanks. Prospectuses and sample numbers will be sent, on application, to all who desire them. ❝ Manure is Money." THERE is no maxim in reference to agriculture, the soundness of which is more obvious than this, and none, perhaps, which is more disregarded in prac. tice. It is often argued by farmers who are located on new and fertile soils, that there is no necessity for manuring-that the soil is already rich enough, or that the little benefit of manures would not compensate for the labor of applying them. It is not to be denied that there are particular cases to which this reasoning will apply; that is, there are soils which, for a while, contain all or nearly all the elements necessary for the support of crops; but the inevitable tendency of the growth and remo. val of plants, without any return, is the exhaustion of the soil, and this result must sooner or later be made manifest under all circumstances. mixing these substances, or forming any kind of compost, as by keeping the manure level, and spreading over the materials to be added, at proper intervals, the whole will become intimately combined. It here undergoes no loss by keeping, but may be used whenever required. In mild weather, cattle are kept more or less in yards and sheds adjoining the barn, and sheep are kept in sheds connected with yards. These sheds and yards should be weli coated with muck or litter, before the stock is brought up in the fall. The yards should be in the form of a basin, so tight that nothing will soak through, and muck, potato vines, refuse corn-stalks, and other rubbish should be thrown in to absorb the liquid. The dung of sheep is dry, and from its containing a large proportion of nitrogen, is inclined to heat violently, by which much of its value is dissipated. To prevent this, it Besides, the idea of the inexpediency of manuring would be an advantage to spread a coat of muck, an is, in many instances, carried to a pernicious ex-inch or two thick, through the sheds, once a week, treme. A farmer chances to locate on a soil, which, or if litter is more convenient it may be used, and when first subjected to the plow, yields bountiful re- kept sufficiently moist by being watered from a turns; and flattered, or perhaps made indolent and pump or aqueduct, by a spout or hose-pipe. Care careless, by the easy living he gets, he continues the should be taken that too much water is not applied course with which he began, till utter barrenness is -the manure should simply be moistened,-if made the consequence. The country abounds with exam- wet the sheep will be injured by being kept on it. ples of this system of devastation; it has spread from the Eastern to the Western States, and is still progressing in the same direction. Everywhere its ultimate effects are the same,-the difference on different soils, being one of time only. Even in the new State of Ohio, the fertility of which, was, a few years since, vaunted the world over, there are many worn-out acres, which have been sold at low prices by their former owners, who have removed still further west, to run over and lay waste more new land. The same operations are in progress, more or less, in Indiana, Illinois, and other western States. These effects would always be avoided by a proper course of management. It should be the first endeavor of the farmer to save and apply, to the greatest advantage, those fertilizing substances which he can most readily obtain. The excrement of animals, all animal offal-as entrails, flesh, skin, bones, horns, hoofs, &c.,-vegetable matter, in the form of straw, coarse grass, refuse hay,-woodashes, &c., should be carefully saved. The waste of these articles, in many parts of the country is really a subject of astonishment. On farms where the soil has already been much exhausted, and is every year growing poorer, it is not uncommon to find much of the manure of the barn-yard and hogpen washed into the highway, or carried off by some neighboring stream. Inattention to the saving of urine, and the waste of that valuable fertilizer, is still more common, and a cause of still greater loss. The means to be adopted by the farmer for saving the manure of his domestic animals, must be somewhat varied to suit particular circumstances. In the northern part of the country, stock is generally sheltered in winter-horses and cattle being commonly kept at night in stalls. Perhaps there is no plan which better answers the purpose of saving the liquid and solid excrements, than that of a cellar under the barn or stable where the animals are kept. This receives all, and if the bottom of the cellar has been made tight with clay or cement, there can be no waste. The temperature is not high enough to produce rapid fermentation, leaving the manure to gradually decompose, and its gases to combine with the litter, muck, or other absorbent matters, which should always be mixed with it to such an extent as to make it sufficiently dry to be readily loaded and carted. No situation can be more convenient for We saw, lately, on the farm of Mr. HENRY KEEL. ER, of South Salem, Westchester county, N. Y., some good arrangements in regard to saving manures. His barns and sheds are so placed as to occupy three sides of a square, the opening being to the south. The basement of the main barn is used for stabling cattle and horses-the storage of hay, &c., being on the floor above, which is nearly on a level with the ground on one side. The horses are ranged on one side of the barn and the cattle on the other. The animals stand on ground considerably higher than the centre of the area-the centre having been excavated for the purpose of forming a receptacle for the manure. Into this, the manure from the cattle and horses is thrown, it being mixed together, and also mixed with litter. The urine from both sides is conducted into a tank, from which it is raised by a chain pump and turned over the manureheap, in such quantities and as often as is necessary to keep it sufficiently moist. From the large quantity of absorbent matters mixed with the manure, no effluvium or gas is perceived to arise from it. Mr. K. has, however, adopted another plan, which he likes better, and which we think preferable to the above, in another building, where most of his neat cattle are kept. The cattle stand on flag-stones, nicely laid, and which are kept at all times well covered with litter. Under the floor, between this flagging and the outside of the building is a cellar; but the cellar does not extend under where the cattle stand. The dung and urine all go into this cellar. All the appurtenances in reference to this place are not yet completed. The cellar is to form part of a yard-a firm stone-wall to be made round it. A shed roof is to be attached to the barn, in order to protect the manure from being too much drenched by rains, or dried by the sun and air. An apartment for hogs is made under one end of the building, with an opening connecting with this yard, and here they are to work at composting-the manure from the stock, and such other materials as may be gathered for the purpose, being thrown together to be mixed by them. Mr. K. has plenty of good water brought in pipes to his stables and yards. This is of great import. ance, both as to the saving of manure and the welldoing of the animals, yet it is most strangely neglected by many farmers. Where cattle are him in reference to a premium offered by the N. Y. obliged to go to a pond or stream for water, they do not drink with proper regularity. If the weather is very cold or stormy, they will undergo much thirst before they will expose themselves, and when they do finally commence drinking, they swallow so much that they are chilled through, (the water being frequently but little above the freezing point) and stand for some time shivering from its effects. From the want of water at the proper time, and from the shock occasioned by drinking too much at once, their digestive organs are deranged, and their food fails to supply the proper nourishment. When water is brought to the yards, and the an-pensive means, but by making it a possible thing to imals have constant access to it, they drink as they need-usually but a little at a time, and their food being taken as appetite prompts them, and with all the functions in healthy action, they derive from it the greatest possible benefit. The manure is all saved, being left in the stables or yards; but when animals are forced to leave the yards for water, much of the manure is left near where they drink, and is washed off where it does but little good. This language does not differ materially from that used by LIEBIG in regard to his "patent manure," or a new system of compounding manures, which was extensively advertised several years since, but which, in regard to its profitable application, has generally failed. By adverting to this, however, we only intend to impress the necessity of caution in the adoption of untried theories. Investigation and ex periment should be encouraged, but all things should be proved, and the good only held fast. Fair of the Maryland State Ag. Society. The third annual exhibition of this society was held on the 23d, 24th and 25th of October, at Baltimore, and was a very successful exhibition, being a decided improvement upon that of last year. The entries in most of the classes were much larger than heretofore, and in some departments the articles were superior. The great attraction in the stock department was the splendid herd of Devons, of Mr. Patterson, numbering 24 head. They were in fine condition, and were a sight well worth a trip to Baltimore to behold. The milking qualities of this herd are well known, and several of the cows exhi bited, showed as good milking properties as any animals on the ground. The bull exhibited was, I think, imported, and was an exceedingly good one. Two pair of Devon working oxen were the admiration of all. Mr. P. declined entering his stock for premiums. ECONOMY OF USING ANIMAL MANURE.-From the value which stable or yard manure has been proved to possess, it was with no little regret that we heard its use discouraged, in strong terms, by Dr. D. P. GARDNER, in his late address before the Westchester County Agricultural Society. His objections to the use of this article were, chiefly, that it is of little value in proportion to what it is usually estimated at. He referred for particulars to an essay on the "Doctrine of Special Manures," written by him, and published in the Transactions of the N. Y. State Ag. Society for 1846. One of the objects of this essay, was, to quote the author's lan guage, to "shake the confidence placed in the foul and expensive manure, so long employed." This confidence was to be shaken, by showing that the manure was of trifling value. He estimates the expense of manuring, with yard manure, an acre of land for Indian corn, in Dutchess county, at $20allowing twenty loads of manure, of twenty-five bushels each; and in view of this expense, he thinks it reasonable that "the greater part of our intelligent [?] farmers have arrived at the conclusion, that for a man of limited means, the exhaustion of the soil is the most profitable system of farming." He contends that the principal value of common yard or stable manure, consists in the ashes it is capable of affording on being burned. He informs us that the Hindoo, whom he declares is "the most philosophical and successful agriculturist of the present, or of any There was a very fair show of Short-horns; but age," burns the dung which our people "so much not equal in quality to last year. The very fine prize, and he even cares little for the ashes;" that herd of Col. Capron, which was then sold, did not "the Egyptians, the descendants of the Hindoos, and appear upon the ground, and we doubt much whe among the best farmers of ancient or modern times, ther it can be made good in Maryland. There was also burn the dung of their domestic animals." He a large show of Ayrshires, and their crosses-some asserts that "the ashes, and a proper substitute for of them very fine, but many of medium quality. the nitrogen, will effect the same, or better results The Holstein cattle on exhibition, appeared to be on the soil," than the manure. He therefore asks-good milkers, and are highly esteemed for their ex"Why do farmers still encounter the heavy charge of a dollar a load for the use of yard manure, when they have better substitutes within their reach, for less than a quarter of that sum?” The value of the ashes of a load (25 bushels) of manure, he estimates at twelve and a half cents; the cost of the "proper substitute for the nitrogen" he has not given. It will be seen that the carbonaceous matter of the manure is not estimated as of any value at all! Dr. G. has not told us, precisely, what he would recommend as a substitute for common manure, but he hints that all the necessary information on the subject, may be found in a manuscript prepared by cellent dairy properties. Col. Calvert, the presi dent of the society, informed us that he prefers them to any other breed, and intends to fill up his dairy with them. He has had several of them for some time past, and is competent to decide on their qual ities from the trial he has given them. One of the most interesting features of the exhibi. tion of cattle was a pair of heifer calves, one six weeks and the other seven weeks old, trained by a lad five years of age, a son of Mr. Bailey of Fairfax county, Virginia, formerly of Dutchess county, New York. The little fellow had trained them in about three weeks time. They were so perfectly manage. able that when the little yoke was taken off, he could make them perform all that he desired, by the mo On the last day of the exhibition, an address was tion of the whip-placing one on the right side and delivered by Willoughby Newton, of Virginia, a the other on the left, and then changing them-in highly intelligent agriculturist. It was every way short, in or out of the yoke they were so trained as worthy of the cause and the speaker. P. A. Browne, to be an object of universal attention and admira- Esq., of Philadelphia, gave interesting statements tion. I heard a remark from a group of gentlemen of his experiments in relation to wool, which were lis standing by and witnessing the wonderful perform-tened to with much attention. The attention shown ance of the boy-"This is the way, after all, to by the officers of the society to strangers who were bring up boys. This little fellow will make a man present, was what might have been expected from that will take care of himself." There can be no the known hospitality of the gentlemen of Maryland. doubt of this, I think. If he lives, Mr. Bailey's There were in attendance a large number of gentlegood name will be well honored by his son. men from Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New-York. I have omitted to mention the show of hams. Twenty competitors contended for the prize, and the superiority of the hams exhibited, over any in our market, was most apparent, and I hope some means may be adopted to bring up ours to the standard of Maryland and Virginia. The show of fruits, vegetables, flowers, fancy articles, &c., was very creditable to the society. On Friday evening an election of officers took place, when Col. Calvert was unanimously re-elected president, and consented to serve. He is truly a valuable officer, whose services cannot well be dispensed with. The sheep, with the exception of the Long-wools by Mr. Reybold of Delaware, and Col. Ware of Virginia, were not entitled to much notice. Mr. Reybold's New Oxfordshires were the pride of the show. They are exceedingly fine sheep of their class, and cannot, I imagine, be excelled in this country. One of his fat wethers was slaughtered during the Fair, and weighed 206 lbs., very closely dressed. He received for him $100 on a standing offer of ten years. from Mr. Turner, a Baltimore butcher, and late candidate for mayor of that city. This mutton was purchased by the proprietor of the Eutaw House, who is a very liberal and enterprizing gentleman, and it will, in due time, grace the table of that famed hotel. About ten years since, Mr. Turner offered From the Maryland show I proceeded to Delato give $100 to any breeder who would produce a ware, and had an opportunity of examining the fat sheep that would weigh 50 lbs. to the quarter, splendid farms of Maj. Reybold and Sons, and others when dressed. On the arrival of Clayton B. Rey- in that vicinity, among which was that of the Hon. bold, with his sheep, a day or two previous to the J. M. Clayton, who is now most successfully deFair, Mr. Turner saw them, and said to him that voting himself to the management of his farm, and he was prepared to give the $100 for the fat wether, I may, if time allows, give your readers some acas he was satisfied he would weigh 200 lbs. The count of Delaware farming, and tell them of forty wether was slaughtered and dressed by Mr. Turner, bushels of wheat to the acre, and of more than 3000 and although in dressing him, the skin was taken off bushels from an 100 acres, raised by one farmer! down to the very hoofs, much closer than is usual, B. P. J. the weight of the carcass was 206 lbs. The show of horses was larger than last year, and very fair. The Morgan stallion, Black-Hawk, Jr., (a colt by the Vermont Black-Hawk) owned by Col. Carroll, attracted much notice. His figure and action are very superior, and he will add, I doubt not, much to the character of the horses of the State. There were several other horses that were good, and some very fine colts. The swine were very fair, some exceedingly good; but not, I think, taken together, equal to last year. The Dutchess county pigs of Mr. Wilkinson, of the Mt. Airy Institute, were very fine. The exhibition of poultry was very extensive, embracing almost all the noted varieties, which have turned the heads of our Boston gentry. Some Capons were of such mammoth size, that they would doubtless command for breeders, (as some of like description have, I understand, at the East) $30 or more per pair! In the implement department the show was of great merit. E. Whitman's exhibition was one of the largest I have ever seen, and Sinclair & Co.'s was nearly equal, and two or three others very fine. In fact nearly, if not quite, one-fourth of the ground was occupied by their implements. Very many of the articles were of the best of our northern manufacture, and I was pleased to learn that many sales of improved implements took place. The plowing match was a very interesting scene: Twenty-three plowmen entered the arena, and thou. sands of spectators were in attendance. The ground was not such as to fully exhibit either the skill of the plowmen, or the perfection of the plow -still the work was well done by many of the competitors. Prouty & Mears' No. 5, received the award for the best plowing-being one of the plows which received a first premium at the N. Y. trial. Irrigation. During the late exhibition of the Royal Agricultural Society, a delegation of the officers, members and others, among whom was our countryman, L. G. MORRIS, Esq., of Westchester county, N. Y., visited the farm of Mr. GEORGE TURNER, near Exeter, for the purpose of examining the Water meadows be. longing to that gentleman, and which are noted for their productiveness. Mr. T. explained his man. agement to the company, and it was reported some. what in detail. We extract the following from the printed account. The remarks are worthy the attention of our readers: The process by which boggy, or comparatively useless fields, are converted into verdant and luxu riant meadows, bearing very heavy crops of hay, and also affording admirable pasture, is, first of all, thoroughly to drain the land. The land is then allowed to remain for two years, to consolidate. If it be a heavy piece of land, it will probably be broken up, and laid down with fresh and well-selected grass seeds. After one year's grass, if the land be pretty well drained and seeded, in the following or second year from the time it is laid down, the water gutters are cut, and the water let in at the proper season. The proper season is from about Michaelmas till Lady-day; but Mr. Turner entirely objects to summer irrigation, as forcing the land too much, and as calculated to give the sheep, who then depasture upon it, the rot. In the hill-side meadows, the gutters (about two feet broad and three inches deep) conduct the water from a spring on the upper part of the hill-side, in a lateral, but oblique direction, with a gentle fall across the face of the hill. At the opposite side, but so arranged as to leave a |