1857. 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



469 



8wers — reports of horticultural societies — all de- 

 signed in a timely way and manner to facilitate the 

 special rural operations of the several months as 

 they succeed each other through the annual cycle. 

 Qnly two dollars a year. 



The series from the beginning contains the only 

 Bistory of horticulture in the United States, lists of 

 the various ornamental plants, shrubs and trees — 

 of the most approved fruits, best modes of cultiva- 

 tion and i)ropagation — modes of preservation, &c., 

 &c. ; also an interesting narrative of kindred topics 

 in foreign lands, by the editor, in addition to the 

 other important topics already named. In fine, 

 this Magazine of Horticulture is to American 

 gardening, what the Gardeners' Chronicle is to Eng- 

 fish horticulture and kindred subjects ; and it is 

 really, no more of a question whether this "first- 

 class joui-nal shall be sustained," than whether the 

 JVew England Farmer shall be sustained. They 

 are both fixed facts, and will be sustained, because 

 formers and gardeners must have them in order to 

 succeed — no more to be dispensed with than the 

 implements for farm and garden tillage, culture, and 

 harvest. 



The writer has no sympathy with that sentiment 

 which denounces the horticultural and agricultural 

 literature of our own country, in laudation of for- 

 eign magazines, journals, &c. Both are good afld 

 important, each adapted specially to its own coun- 

 try — and both in general to all civilized countries. 

 Empires, Kingdoms, Republics, and States. A per- 

 son who would deliberately go about denouncing 

 the agricultural and horticultural presses of this 

 young republic, because they are not equal, in every 

 respect, to similar journals from abroad, would, to 

 be consistent, destroy the young orchard because it 

 is not an old one. Patronize our own journals, and 

 60 make, and keep them, first-rate, and thus do 

 your country a good service. Rubalist. 



Remabks. — We have read Hovey's Magazine, 

 for many years with pleasure and profit, and al- 

 though the commendations of our correspondent 

 are warm and broad, we think they are well mer- 

 ited. Some of the most delightful essays upon the 

 aspect of things in the country, such, for instance, as 

 those entitled "Studies in the Field and Forest," by 

 Wilson Flagg, Esq., may be found — and can 

 scarcely be excelled — in the pages of this maga- 

 aine. We hope it will be abundantly sustained by 

 our people. 



Fruit Trees. — It is not always necessary or in- 

 dispensable, in order to have good fruit and enough 

 of it, that a section of the farm be especially set 

 apart appropriated to its cultivation. There are 

 many corners and " segments of soil," unoccupied 

 by any valuable crop, where a few trees can be 

 grown ; and as such " out of the way " places are 

 commonly rich in the elements of vegetable life, 

 the growth of trees, when properly set, is there even 

 more rapid aud healthy than in the best cultivated 

 soil. A homestead, where every nook and corner 

 is occupied with thrifty and prolific trees, presents 

 a rural and beautiful picture of industry and thrift, 

 and cannot fail to exert a most genial and elevating 

 influence upon the owner's mind. Cherry, peach, 

 plum and quince trees, together with apple and 

 pear trees, grape vines, etc., may thus be scattered 



around your yards and enclosures at a trifling ex- 

 pense, and having a rapid and vigorous growth, 

 when properly nurtured, will soon reward you for 

 your industry and forethought, with the grateful 

 richness and abundance of their fruit. Set a tree, 

 therefore, by all means, wherever you can find room. 



For the New England Farmer. 



CRITICISMS. 



Mr. Editor :— I am afraid that we clumsy fel- 

 lows from the country shall be crowded off the 

 track entirely, by the glowing periods and amusing 

 anecdotes communicated by your associate now in 

 England. He certainly makes his letters very 

 amusing, if not instructive. I have read with ad- 

 miration his description of cattle exhibited at the 

 fair holden by the Royal Society at Salisbury, and 

 the discriminating observations made by the "Prince 

 Consort." I take it your correspondent is too much 

 of a Yankee to have any regard for such stuff — if 

 not, my respect for his judgment will be essential- 

 ly modified. 



I am not pleased with the side-way dig unde* 

 the short ribs, given to what '~t term natives — for, 

 show them as you may, for labor and for the dairy, 

 I challenge the production of better animals than 

 the best of the New England natives. Tell of lay- 

 ing on sir inches of fat upon an animal before it 

 will be fit to be seen — I think it will not be fit to 

 be seen, for any useful purpose, after this is done. 



I am pleased to see the views of your correspond- 

 ent from Maryland, as to the introduction of fasi 

 horses at our Shows. If I rightly understand him, 

 he would contend that "all work and no play 

 makes Jack a dull boy" — and therefore a little 

 sport is desirable ; — and this of driving fast is one 

 of the least exceptionable. This may be so — but 

 it should be understood for the sport of it, and not 

 for the value of it — for I doubt exceedingly, wheth- 

 er any animal was. ever improved in value, by forc- 

 ing his speed, and if it be so, humanity forbids 

 the application. EsSEX. 



^ust 22, 1857. 



HORSE-RACING. 



We are convinced that the whole system of rao? 

 ing for heavy bets is quite unnecessary to keep up 

 high breeding in horses among an enterprising and 

 industrious people like our own, while it is even 

 rather prejudical to the keeping up of hardihood 

 and bottom, and ten times more injurious morally 

 to r11 immediately engaged in it. 



We say nothing of cruelty to the horses engaged 

 and danger to the men, as the race-course last jear 

 and this both exhibited. This, however, causes 

 horse-racing to differ much from boat-racing. But 

 we speak particularly of the gross and wholesale 

 systems of betting vast sums, common on such oo- 

 casions, leading to frauds and defalcations to an im- 

 mense amount. 



It may indeed be said, that for the proprietor of 

 a horse to have a large interest at stake on his suc- 

 cess, makes it worth his while to produce the high- 

 est possible speed. But what can be said in re- 

 gard to the mere spectators betting amongst each 

 other ? Each one, if he wins, obtains money with- 

 out having performed any corresponding benefit to 

 society. Such money, because it comes easily goea 



