166 



THE FARMERS CABINET. 



VOL. 1. 



Stood than in any other part of the habita- 

 ble globe. The pre-eminence that there 

 prevails, not only in the cultivation of the 

 soil, but the rearing of domestic animals, is 

 to be attributed to the peculiar attention they 

 have paid to this subject. The researches 

 and investigations made by scientific and 

 practical farmers. For it is not to be doubt- 

 ed that agticulture is a science, and like all 

 other systems of education or learning re- 

 quires experience, application and attention. 

 (Connected with the culture and improve- 

 ment of the soil, is the rearing and care of 

 domestic animals, and the treatment of 

 the various diseases they are liable to. 

 All this we conceive could be better learned 

 or accomplished by an association such as is 

 now under consideration. And in addition 

 it would bring annually together the experi- 

 ments of the farmer, the ingenuity of the 

 Mechanic and Manufacturer, and of the in- 

 dustrious both male and female ; thus giving 

 to each a spring of industry and rivalry that 

 could not fail of bringing together those pe- 

 culiar concomitants that tend to enrich them- 

 selves, their country, and their posterity. 

 By endeavoring to establish a Union county 

 Agricultural Society, we do not wish it to be 

 understood that we in the least wish to de- 

 tract any thing from the merits of the Union 

 Agncnltural Society ; our only objection is, 

 that the territory is too extensive, embracing 

 within its limits the counties of Lycoming, 

 Columbia, Northumberland and Union, and 

 on this account precludes many of our in- 

 dustrious farmers, manufacturers and me- 

 chanics, from attending the annual exhibi- 

 tions, &c. Our only aim and ambition is to 

 bring the advantages such a society may 

 afford, within the reach of the citizens of our 

 county generally. Therefore, 



Resolved, That we deem the formation of 

 a Union County Agricultural Society, a 

 measure that would be highly beneficial, 

 alike to the farmer, the manufacturer, the 

 mechanic, and indeed to every class of our 

 citizens ; as it would tend to create a re- 

 spectful rivalry in every branch of industry ; 

 and perhaps would lead to thedevelopement 

 of some hidden resources that would be the 

 me^ns of aggrandizing our citizens and be 

 of general welfare. 



liesolved. That a committee be appointed 

 to call a county meeting on this subject and 

 to take such other measures as they may 

 /deem advisable. 



On motion of Mr. Lashells, said com- 

 mittee to consist of nine, viz : John Lashells, 

 James Merrill, Isaac Kyer, Samuel Temple- 

 ton, M. Clemens, R. P. Maclay, Philip See- 

 bold, Philip Gross, M. Benfer. 



JOSEPH STILLWELL, Pres't. 



IsiAc Slenkkr, Sect'y. 



For the FarmprB' Cabinet. 



Castor Bean. 



Information is wanted respecting the cul- 

 ture ot the Castor Bean, (Palma Christi) 

 I. When to be planted] 2. Howl — distance 

 apart? — how worked] 3. Kind of soil — 

 wet or dry — rich or thin] 4. Produce per 

 acre] 5. When ripe] and machinery used 

 in preparing the oil ] 6. Quantity of oil to 

 the bushel — of cold and of warm pressed ] 

 7. Average market price per gallon ] 



AGRICOLA. 



We give the above in the hope that some 

 person skilled in the culture of the Castor 

 Bean and its fabrication into oil, will im- 

 part the information sought for. For the 

 process of extracting the oil in Illinois, Ag- 

 ricolo is referred to No. 5 of the Farmers' 

 Cabinet. Our climate and soil are unques- 

 tionably favorable to its cultivation, and we 

 invite the attention of farmers to experiments 

 in its culture. There is considerable de- 

 mand for the article, and we believe that its 

 cultivation might be rendered very advanta- 

 geous. Any information directed to the 

 Editor of the Farmers' Cabinet, will be 

 duly acknowledged. 



Clorer and Rye Grass. 



In the selection of clover and rye grass 

 seeds, particular attention should be paid to 

 their quality and cleanness ; the purple co- 

 lor of the clover seed denotes that it has 

 been ripe and well saved ; and the seeds of 

 weeds may be detected in it by narrow in- 

 spection, if there be any ; but various noxious 

 weeds are frequently mixed up with the 

 seeds of the rye grass, which it is difficult 

 either to discover or to separate from them. 

 Between the seeds of the annual and peren- 

 nial rye grass, the difference is hardly dis- 

 cernable ; and therefore, unless it is of his 

 own growth, the cultivator must depend in a 

 great measure on the character of the person 

 from whom he purchases it. 



The after-culture of clover and rye grass 

 consists chiefly of picking off any stones or 

 other hard bodies which may appear on the 

 surface in the spring succeeding that in 

 which it was sown, and cutting out by the 

 roots any thistles, docks, or other large 

 grown weeds. After this the surface should 

 be rolled once, to smooth it for the scythe. 

 This operation is best performed in the first 

 dry weather of March. Some give a top- 

 dressing of soot, gypsum, common lime, 

 peat, or wood-ashes, at this time or earlier; 

 gypsum has been particularly recommended 



