No. 5. 



The Good Work Advancing. 



161 



I 



be found for all the beets that can be raised 

 within the proper circle of each manufacturing 

 establishment. But, admitting that a pound of 

 sugar is never made from the beet, still, its in- 

 troduction into the country, and its almost uni- 

 versal culture, must be regarded as a national 

 benefit. The large return it renders, the ea- 

 gerness with which almost all kinds of stock 

 feed on it, and their disposition to fatten on it 

 — its peculiar adaptations to dairy stock, not 

 merely increasing the quantity but also the 

 quality of the milk and butter, together with 

 the excellent order in which it leaves the 

 ground on which it is grewn, all concur in 

 pointing it out as one of the most eligible crops 

 the farmer can raise. We would by no means 

 have the sugar beet raised to the exclusion of 

 other root crops, especially such as the ruta- 

 baga, carrot, potato, &c.; as a change, even for 

 stock, is both good and desirable. 



The more general introduction among our 

 fanners of Improved Implements in Agricul 

 ture, has not been without its effect. Many 

 of these machines are calculated not only to 

 lessen the labors of the field, but also perform 

 the work in a more perfect manner than it 

 can be done by hand. Foremost among those 

 deserving public commendation, is the Reap- 

 ing and Mowing Machine, invented by Mr. 

 Obed Hussey, of Baltimore;* the Centre 

 Draught Plough, possessing many peculiar 

 excellencies over others, one of which is its 

 lightness of draught, as well as the neat and 

 very perfect manner in which it performs its 

 work; the Corn Planter, invented by Mr. 

 Buckminster, promises well, — Straw Cutters, 

 Root Cutters, Threshing and other Machines, 

 are either newly invented, or greatly im- 

 proved. The stigma so long attached to this, 

 the most noble of all earthly pursuits, is 

 washed away — the strong prejudices have 

 been dissipated, and agriculture is now re- 

 garded by the truly intelligent, as not only 

 the first of arts, but the most dignified calling 

 that can claim the attention of man. 



*For a full description, and various statements re- 

 specting this truly valuable machine, the reader is re- 

 ferred to the preceding volumes of the Farmers Cabi- 

 net. There ought lo be one at least in every neigh- 

 borhood. 



We have already observed, that the best 

 spirit prevailed at the exhibitions recently 

 held. They must, indeed, have been animat- 

 ing to all the friends of improvement, and 

 we cannot but regret that it is not in our 

 power to furnish our readers with a synopsis 

 of their proceedings ; we must however refer 

 to the laudable efforts of our friends on the 

 Peninsula — a district naturally rich, but which 

 by the old and wretched system has been im- 

 poverished. The evil effects of drawing suc- 

 cessive crops from the same soil, without re- 

 plenishing it with enriching manures, waa 

 never more strikingly exemplified than in the 

 case of the Peninsula. The error is seen and 

 felt, and will now be remedied, as persevering 

 and intelligent men have set themselves to 

 work, to bring back these cropped lands to 

 their early and high state of fertility. In this 

 good and important work they have every 

 thing to encourage them — Providence has 

 placed within their reach every thing neces- 

 sary to render the soil not only highly produc- 

 tive, but equal in point of fertility to any other 

 equal extent of connected territory in the 

 United States ; marl of the best quality (the 

 green sand) and exhaustless beds of calcare- 

 ous matter, abound in almost every quarter, 

 and may be said to be within the reach of 

 every farmer. Lime, also, can be obtained 

 fi-om the adjacent lime regions, at a very rea- 

 sonable price. And not only so, but the best 

 markets the union affords are, on either hand, 

 easily reached, and at a small expense — Bal- 

 timore, Philadelphia and New York ; and the 

 day is not far distant, when Delaware and the 

 Eastern Shore of Maryland will become a 

 great garden — the Netherlands of the United 

 States. 



THE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF THE EASTERN 

 SHORE OF MARYLAND, 



Held their annual Cattle Show and Fair, at 

 Easton, on the 24th and 25th days of October. 

 A number of premiums were awarded for 

 Cattle, Horses, Jacks, Mules, Swine, Sheep, 

 &c. The various committees speak in the 

 highest terms of the animals exhibited, equal- 

 ing if not excelling on the whole, any former 



