1857. 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



45 



•when I participated in such festivities were pecu- 

 liarly delightful. Many and happy were the human 

 beings that convened together on those days. I 

 will not tell you of the numerous articles in the ag- 

 ricultural hall, save thai it was fragrant with flow- 

 ers and fruit, stored with the substantialities of life, 

 and graced with the productions of art. But 1 

 must tell you that I saw a ])art of the old "frigate 

 Constitution," and an old iron kettle filled, with 

 beans, there. Curiosity prompted me to inquire 

 "why the kettle was upon exhibition ?" 1 learned 

 that it was a veritable kettle, which came over in 

 the Mayflower, with our pilgrim fathers. After 

 this explanation, I thought how appropriately it 

 belonged in that agricultural hall. Thought and 

 fancy took me back to the time when the primeval 

 forest had never echoed to the woodman's axe, and 

 when bean porridge was ail the vogue. It im- 

 pressed me of the fact, that farming has been, and 

 IS now, a progressive pursuit ; for, methought that 

 the pod-augur, the clumsy plow, the clattering and 

 jolting wagon, in contrast with the mowing-ma- 

 chines, the patented plow and planter, and with the 

 elegant vehicles then surrounding me, proved it to 

 be thus. 



After the various exhibitions of the two days of 

 festivities, a band of noble, sterling men, repaired 

 to the village church, to listen to an address from 

 a professor. The place, and the presence of gifted 

 minds, made us feel as if science and agriculture 

 were shaking hands more cordially than ever be- 

 fore ; and I said, "surely, the farmer knows to-day 

 that agriculture is elevated over former times. Af- 

 ter the exercises in the church, the orator, divines, 

 professional men, and the farmers, with their wives 

 and daughters, repaired to a hall to partake of a 

 bountiful repast, ])repared by "mine host" of the 

 "American House." Though men and women with 

 farmer appetites sat at the board, all were abun- 

 dantly satisfied with the luxuries of the table. — 

 Then came the flow of wit, the revealings of educat- 

 ed minds and wise heads, and the statement of 

 statistical facts, which I verily believe made every 

 one go away with new confidence in the union of 

 our republic, in the strength of our State, and in 

 their own individual ability. When it was asked 

 "if the farmers would extend a vote of thanks to 

 the speaker of the day," it was responded to by 

 such an "aye," as I am sure went way down into 

 the heai't of the orator ; while the ladies looked 

 thanks from bright eyes unto him. Yes ! ladies 

 were sprinkled amongst that body of men, and 

 looked just as appropriate there as dahlias, roses 

 and blossoms do, in the midst of herbage and foli 

 age. And I believe ladies should be at such places, 

 and that there should be a closer sympatiiy with 

 their husband's and father's business. The motto, 

 "We are one," was prettily fabricated of evergreens, 

 and placed in a prominent position ; which again 

 assured me that I might justly say, that progress, 

 elevation and success were the future glories of an 

 agricultural life ; since such a sentiment, in such 

 an assembly, had truly been disseminated and act- 

 ed upon. 



We knew how the editor of the JSTew England 

 Farmer would respond to such a sentiment, as he 

 felt his sympathies for the farmer glowing within 

 his soul, and we wished him there to enjoy the 

 beauty of our mountain scenery, the smiles of an 

 October sun, and the peculiar interest and harmo- 

 ny of. the whole. But we knew, too, that he was 



acting his part in some different sphere ; and so 

 we could only offer up silent ejaculations for his 

 abundant success. As right approached, the far- 

 mers' festival closed ; animate beings wended their 

 way liomeward ; inanimate nature was yet flashing 

 in beauty and brilliancy as I, too, returned from 

 my autumnal gleaning. The embroidery upon na- 

 ture's autumn mantle was gorgeous to the eye, 

 while the heart was filled with better, more earnest 

 thought, and with deeper convictions of the impor- 

 tant part which the agriculturist takes in life's busy 

 scenes. Progress, elevation and success should be 

 his watch-words, while zeal and perseverance should 

 characterize his eff'orts and undertakings. The 

 harvest moon came \\y> to sail midst silver clouds 

 and heavenly azure, and lent a soothing charm to 

 nature and our own soul. I thought of the turmoil 

 of a city Hfe, compared with a farmer's life of calm- 

 ness and independence, and wondered why so 

 much disquietude expressed by our New England 

 farmers. That night I sat in the silvery moon- 

 beams, and could only feel to "praise God for his 

 benefits unto the children of men." 



Thus ended my day's gleaning. Perchance I 

 may go gleaning again upon some future day, and 

 perhaps you, dear reader, may then hear of my suc- 

 cess, s. s. 



For the New England Farmer. 



CABBAGES. 



My attention has recently been directed to the 

 magnificent crops of cabbages, grown on the south- 

 erly border of Essex county, with the aid of the fer- 

 tilizing substances collected from the neighboring 

 cities, and from the beaches along shore. Tf I do 

 not mistake, $400 and more has been received for 

 the produce of single acres the present season. 

 When we take into view, that but little time and 

 no peculiar skill is required in the growing of this 

 crop, and that it is as certain as any other crop, I 

 know of no culture that returns a better reward for 

 the labor bestowed. I have known a single acre 

 to yield 60 tons of cabbages the present season. 

 What is there that can be planted that will yield 

 more ? Will it be said there is no demand for so 

 many cabbages ? I have never known the lime 

 when all that were carried into the market would 

 not sell at a fair price, from a half to a cent per 

 pound. What better article can be grown for the 

 feeding of stock ? I remember to have heard on i 

 of the best experienced farmers in Essex say it was 

 the cheapest article that could be grown for the 

 feeding of milk cows. Will it be said in relation 

 to cabbages, as it is said in relation to turnips, that 

 the milk of animals thus fed will taste of the feed ? 

 A little care as to the time of giving the feed will 

 obviate this objection. Who will argue that farm- 

 ing is not profitable, when the culture of a single 

 acre with cabbage will yield a net profit of more 

 than $200. * 



November 22d, 1856. 



V.\LUABLE Receipt. — Mr. A. Bronson, of Mead- 

 ville, Pa., says from fifteen years' experience, he 

 finds that Indian meal poultice covered over with 

 young hyson tea softened with hot water, and laid 

 over burns and frozen flesh, as hot as can be borne, 

 will relieve the pain in five minutes. If blisters 

 have not arisen before, they will not after it is put on, 

 and one poultice is sufficient to effect a cure. 



