REVIEWS.

ART. I European Agriculture and Rural Economy, from Personal Observation. By HENRY COLMAN. Vol. II. Parts IX. and X. 8vo. pp 371, to 598. Boston, 1848.

MR. COLMAN'S European tour has at last been brought to a close. Nos. IX. and X. completing the work, have been some time before the public, but we have not found time to notice them. So far as we have had leisure to examine this double number, it exceeds in interest any of the previous ones, and is a capital ending to a work well begun, and successfully carried through.

The number is prefaced by several pages of preliminary observations, upon the important subject of agriculture,—the means for its improvement,-and the necessity of its protection by government; and we cannot omit the following extract which, it seems to us, is deserving of the attention of every individual who has a proper appreciation of the importance of agricultural art :

"We may be told, that agriculture is a purely material and sensual art, and does not deserve a place among the humane arts. To a mind material and sensual in all its habits, every thing becomes material and sensual in the lowest and most degrading sense of those terms. But its rational pursuit is not incompatible with high intellectual attainments, and the most refined taste. Whatever occupies and absorbs the mind exclusively, is, of course, unfavorable to any great excellence in other pursuits. Agriculture, pursued as a mere branch of trade or commerce, or a mere instrument of wealth, will be found to have influences upon the mind, narrowing and restricting its operations and aspirations, corresponding with any other of the pursuits of mere avarice and acquisition, and which even those of the learned professions, when pursued wholly with such views, are sure to have. But, when followed without exclusive views to mere gain or profit, it is far from being incompatible with a high state of intellectual cultivation. Many of the sciences are the handmaids of agriculture, and serve, as well as ennoble it. Its practical pursuit, though it occupies, yet it does not exhaust, the mind; but, within certain limits, inspirits and invigorates all its faculties. A spiritual mind may spiritualize all its operations; a religious mind sees, in its wonderful and curious processes and their marvellous results, many of the adorable miracles of a beneficent Providence. That a profound study of the agricultural art, and an intimate acquaintance and familiarity with its practical details, are not incompatible with a high degree

of intellectual improvement and cultivation, we have too many living examples of this union to leave us to doubt; and the immortal names of Cicero, Bacon, and Washington, show, from their own assertions, that minds, highly gifted of Heaven, have found their richest pleasure in rural and agricultural occupations and pursuits; and, in company with many others, in ancient and modern times, form a magnificent constellation of learning, genius, and taste, shedding their splendor upon this useful art.”—pp. xiii. xiv.

These numbers are wholly devoted to Continental agriculture; viz., that of France, Belgium, Flanders, and Switzerland; giving a full account of the crops generally producedthe markets-live stock-dairies-and especially manures. Among the varied subjects, it is very difficult to make extracts, and, with the exception of the closing remarks, we must therefore refer the reader to the work itself:

"I must add, in the next place, that I should be glad to see the cultivation of the vine extended in the United States. In many parts of France, Germany, and Switzerland, it occupies land, steep acclivities, heights wholly inaccessible to a horse or cart, and where the manure is always carried up, the produce brought down, and sometimes the very soil in which it grows, transported by hand. There is land enough in the United States for its cultivation without such extreme toil. As an article of commerce, it would probably prove lucrative; and, as an article of comfort, perhaps few are more grateful and harmless. I speak, in this case, of the light wines of France, which do not intoxicate, unless drunk to beastly excess. The strong wines of Spain and Portugal are made, by some factitious process, and charged with brandy; but the light wines of France, being the pure juice of the grape, exhilarate, but do not intoxicate. They take the place of tea and coffee among the laboring people, and constitute an innocent alleviation of their severe toil. I should be sorry in any way to abridge these comforts, especially as I may say in truth, after travelling a long distance in the wine-growing districts, and at the time of the wine-making, or vintage, when it is to be had in the greatest abundance, that I saw no drunkenness or intoxication in any degree; and I may add, that, so far as my observation goes, there is not a more temperate people, than are to be found in the wine-growing departments of France.

I need not add, that, under the auspicious circumstances in which the United States are placed, her agriculture must be constantly increasing in importance to the country itself, and to the civilized world, for her commerce penetrates every sea, and her bread-grains, as they have already done, may be of immense importance, and of indispensable necessity, in feeding the inhabitants of the old world.

This completes the task which I undertook of giving, from personal observations, an account of European Agriculture and Rural Economy. I commend my work to the indulgence and candor of my readers. It was an

undertaking too great for an individual to accomplish as one would desire that it should be done. It must satisfy me, I hope it will satisfy my friends, that I have, with unceasing anxiety, sought to execute it as well as I could. It was not to be expected that I should give a complete system of agriculture; but I have constantly endeavored to collect and present that information which would be most useful; and to convey it in a simple and practical form. I have omitted many circumstances, because they are well known. I have given full details wherever I thought they were required. As to my opinions on any subject upon which I have treated, I can only answer that they are my own; that I am quite ready to yield them, when I find, upon further information, reason so to do; and, above all, that my opinions or judgments do not encroach upon the personal right of independent judgment and opinion in any and all others.

European agriculture lays under many burdens, from which the United States are free, and I pray may long remain so. The weight of taxation in most of the countries of Europe is very oppressive. The unproductive classes are numerous to an excess. Immense standing armies; governments enormously expensive, and in a great measure irresponsible to the people; ecclesiastical establishments, and their attachés, demanding large contributions from labor, and returning, in many cases, little more in value than the bishop's blessing in Æsop's fable, are all to be sustained from the soil, and by the labor, of those who cultivate it. In their present exemption from these burdens, the farmers of the United States are greatly blessed. May they duly appreciate their singular advantages, than which none greater ever fell to the lot of man in his social condition. To them we may apply the beautiful line of the immortal poet

O! ter beati Agricolæ, si sua bona norint.” *—pp. 596-598

We fear, if this was not the closing number, some of Mr. Colman's readers would "stop their subscription," for in these days to recommend the culture of the grape for the manufacture of wine, would bring down, upon the writer, the indignation of some of our philanthropists, who look upon the grape as the remote cause of all the intemperance of the age. We, however, agree with Mr. Colman, and we trust we may see that time arrive, when the importation of wine will be among the things that were.

The work forms two volumes, of upwards of 500 pages each, illustrated with many fine copper-plate engravings-printed on superior paper, and in a neat bold type-and will form a valuable acquisition to the library of every farmer.

Thrice happy farmers, if they only knew their blessings.

MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE.

ART. I. General Notices.

Cultivation of Celery.-IT is well known, in these exhibition days, that much of the gigantic celery which finds its way to market, or appears at our public exhibitions, is (although so specious in appearance,) exceedingly coarse and fibrous. It moreover has a constant tendency to "run to seed," before even winter sets in and then, of course, loses that delicate tenderness of texture, for which celery is so much esteemed. Now, although it is quite commendable to encourage size, at an exhibition, it does not follow, that the mode employed to produce such enormous stalks, must be implicitly followed by those whose office it is to provide choice salads for the weal thy, whose taste, in matters of the kind, is not always identical with that of the inhabitants of busy towns; the latter, in their marketing matters, not unfrequently prefer bulk to quality.

I presume it will be readily conceded, that rapid growth is the principle which most conduces to tenderness in vegetables; and that any mode of culture, which produces an unusual bulk of material, through very early sowing, must, in a proportionate degree, deteriorate the character of the production. One of the first points to which I would respectfully direct attention, in order to obtain tender, crisp, and good-keeping celery, is to sow it much later than usual, and to cultivate it very highly afterwards; never, if possible, suffering it to receive a check of any kind. A very small sowing, to obtain a little very early celery, may be made in the early part of February; but, for the principal supply, the beginning of April will suffice, provided the maxim be put in full practice.

This plant is such a gross feeder, that mere soil in the seed-bed, be it ever so good, will not suffice alone to carry out these principles. It should always be sown in contact with a thin layer of very rotten manure; and, above all things, kept constantly moist. It is, moreover, generally sown much too thick; and this frequently arises from the want of frame-room; most gardeners preferring to sow it in a hot-bed frame. There is, however, no absolute necessity to rear it in a frame, if sown as here recommended; I have raised my main crops for years-even in this northern climate-on open but elevated beds, in the open garden. True it is, the young plant requires some nursing, and much attention in guarding it from the snails and slugs; this, however, presents no obstacle worth consideration

My practice is to apply liquid manure occasionally, to this late sowing, or, at all events, to keep the beds constantly moist. The importance of an abundant supply of moisture, is pretty well known-especially during hot weather, when it is barely possible to keep it too wet. This was long since shown by the late Mr. Knight, who, taking into consideration the circumstance of its being, as to its native habits, a ditch plant, shaped his course of culture accordingly.

As soon as the young plant can be handled with convenience, trans planting must take place; and this part of the cultivation must be performed with much care. Elevated beds should be had recourse to as a guarantee, against battering storms, the young plant being exceedingly liable to "choke" during heavy rains. These beds should be thoroughly pulverized, and after this process-being duly marked out-a coating of rotten manure should be spread over the surface, two inches in thickness, and a casing of the ordinary soil strewn over this, about an inch in thickness.

The soil being neatly levelled, a light roller may be passed over the bed, in order to make a close and even surface; or, in default of a roller, the soil may be patted with the spade; this precaution will prevent injury from storms. By a kindly attention, the plants will be ready for final transplanting, in about a month, and no delay must be permitted in this matter, as it is well known, in these days, that a sudden check, after very rapid growth, induces the formation of blossoms; or, in technical terms, as applied to the celery, causes the plant to "run." The smaller the plant, therefore, at this removal, the better, provided it is stout and of a dark-green color.

The mode of culture in drills, or by the Scotch bed mode, is so well known, that I need say nothing here on that head; some persons prefer the one mode, some the other. This, however, depends in part, on the scheme of rotation pursued; and, for my part, I prefer the Scotch, or bed mode; for, strange to say, I take my main crop of peas off the ground intended for celery, previously. The peas are chiefly of the Imperial class, which, it is well known, produce a glut, and are speedily off the ground.

By sowing two rows of peas at a time, I obtain ground on the removal of each pair of rows, for a six feet celery-bed: such ground has usually been much exhausted by the Brassica tribes, previous to the peas, and I use the celery as a restoring crop.

Whatever mode be adopted, it should be borne in mind, that moisture, during hot weather, is as necessary here, as in the seed-bed. Much care is requisite, in "soiling up." I have known excellent crops spoiled by neglectful laborers; and the first soiling, in general, determines whether it shall be straight or crooked. The principle of soiling has been much misunderstood, in many instances; some persons neglecting it for a long period, and laying on a most unwarrantable load, by which the whole plant becomes suddenly paralyzed.

Celery should be soiled little and often-a little once a fortnight, at furthest; and the plant should be allowed a firm footing, before the first soiling takes place. In the middle of November, it should be soiled in an extra manner, as protection against frost, and the soil pressed very close. I consider the Manchester red the best for the earliest crop, but Seymour's white will keep the longest.-(Journal of Horticultural Society, Vol. III. p. 297.)

Management of Fruit Trees.-At this season, when flowers demand comparatively little attention, the time of the amateur is required by the fruit trees in his garden. Now that the year's growth is completed, and the fo