im 



Agricultural Sncichj. 



Vol. n^ 



Agricultural Society. 



We take g^reat pleasure in informing our 

 distant readers that the Philadelphia Socie- 

 ty FOR THE Promotion of Agriculture, 

 has been revived under the most favorable and 

 encouraging auspices. A list of the officers 

 appointed for the present year, will be found 

 in another page. This Society was char- 

 tered by an act of the Legislature in the year 

 1785, and has, consequently, been in exist- 

 ence for the period of tifty-three years.: — 

 For various causes it has been suffered to lan- 

 guish, and has in fact lain dormant for yearns 

 together. Whenever it has been prosecuted 

 with a zeal commensurate to the importance 

 of the cause of agriculture, it has not only, 

 we have been credibly informed, been Vi'ell 

 sustained, but has exerted the happiest influ- 

 ence on the agriculture of the country. It 

 numbered among its officers and members 

 some of the choicest spirits of our nation — 

 many of them were practical men, and all of 

 them deeply imbued with the spirit of agri- 

 cultural improvement, rejoiced at every op- 

 portunity of advancing the interests of a sci- 

 ence, so intimately blended with our national 

 prosperity and welfare. The early communi- 

 cations made to the society were published in 

 the newspapers of the day, and of course are 

 HOW mainly lost to the public. But the pa- 

 pers presented of later years have been pub- 

 lished from time to time,, in a form suitable for 

 binding, (being of the same size as the Cabi 

 net) constituting, the "Memoirs of the Socie- 

 ty." These volumes contain a vast fund of 

 agricultural caatter — and sustain a deserved 

 ty high reputation both, in this country and in 

 Europe. We have heretofore extracted arti- 

 cles of great value from these volumes, and 

 shg,n avail ourselves of the privilege of doing 

 so hereafter. We rejoice, and we know that 

 the intelligent and liberal minded farmers of 

 the country will rejoice, at the reorganization 

 of this society. The spirit of agricultural im- 

 provement i& abroad,. aud» standing on high 

 ground, sustained by gentlemen of intelli- 

 geiice, of prasjUcal experience, of perse ver- 

 mg industry,, and untirmg zeal — alive to the 

 great importance of acting promptly and effi' 

 cicntly in a cause in which all are interested ; 

 ■%'.^ say, that we rejoic<? at the resuscitation of 



this society, at the infusion of new life, and 

 vigor, and energy, in its operations; that we re- 

 gard it as the harbirjger of better days — that 

 we look fonvard with confidence to the peri- 

 od, and rhat not a distant one, when its influ- 

 ence shall be seen and acknowledged in an 

 improved state of agriculture,, and the gene- 

 ral advancement of the science. 



For the Karnif la' Cabinet. ^ 



Horificd Cattle.— -Mo. 3. 



Having, in the last number, treated on tbo 

 importance of selecting stock, and breeding 

 from the most perfect in form and approved 

 in quality, I must beg your indulgence and 

 the patience of your readers, with a few more 

 remarks in continuance of the subject: — 



Mr. Dickson on short-horns says, " experi- 

 ence proves that they not only possess disposi- 

 tion to fatten, but that they consume less and 

 less food in proportion as they attain weight 

 and fatness," and again, "disposition to fatten 

 insures another valuable pr,operty, early 7na- 

 turity. This property is pJmost peculiar to 

 short-horns. Three years is the longest pe- 

 riod, and very frequently oxen are ted oft at 

 two years of age." "I have frequently," he 

 contmues, "seen Mr. Robertson iiave two 

 and a half year old steers sold for £26, (with 

 exchange, near .$1.30,) each, and brought to 

 the weight of 72 stone, or 1008 lb. The late 

 Ma. A. Wilson used to bring two years old, 

 to 80 stone, and sold them for j£28 each, and 

 Mr. L. Rennie, of Phantasie, has always 

 realized £30 a piece for his two years old 

 steers." 



These, be it observed, are examples of what 

 has been done in Scotland, where neither soil 

 nor climate have any advantages over thoseof 

 Pennsylvania. They prove very clearly that 

 short-horned cattle, at two years old, can be 

 made fit for the butcher; but of course, in ac- 

 complishing this object, proper management 

 is requisite; and in addition to early maturity, 

 English writers assure us tliat they yield beet 

 of fine quality, (and who are better judges of 

 roast beef!) a tact which some of our country- 

 men have disputed ; their opinions, most pro- 

 bably, being founded, on prejudice,.ratlier than 

 experience. 



For the grazier, disposition to fatten and 

 early maturity are the chief means to insure 

 profit; and these qualities the improved short- 1 

 horns possess in an eminent degree. f 



Let us now, inquire how well tliey are siiitec 

 to the dairy or milch farm. For this purposfi 

 the short-horns of England have had to figb' 

 Ithgjr way through prejudiae,, ignorance, am 



