No. 4. 



Agricultural Societies. 



113 



tural interests of our country, and are ra- 

 pidly placing^ the farmer on that vantage 

 ground, to which his importance, — whether 

 in a physical, moral, or economical view — 

 entitles him. Probably no other portion of 

 the community is so much benefited by so- 

 cial intercourse as farmers, and this arises 

 chiefly from their remote and secluded oc- 

 cupations, which prevent frequent inter- 

 change of sentiment and ideas. The pro- 

 per corrective for this inconvenience of a 

 country life, is the formation of Agricultural 

 Societies, and the frequent discussion of 

 subjects connected with the science — for 

 such it has become — of farming. 



And how much the farmer has constantly 

 in view that should lead to reflection and 

 store his mind with knowledge, that might 

 be communicated and dispensed to others ; 

 the beautiful and mysterious operations of 

 nature are always before him ; every spear 

 of grass, every opening bud and expanding 

 flower, or falling leaf, is a subject of interest 

 to an inquiring mind. Social education, 

 that is, the knowledge, experience, aptitude, 

 acquired by constant intercourse with the 

 world, gives an advantage to those whose 

 occupation calls them together, or who live 

 in cities and towns, which the secluded life 

 of the wrmer prevents his enjoying to the 

 same extent. This want of frequent inter- 

 course, of exchanging sentiments, of learn- 

 ing what others are doing, and of studying 

 how to equal or excel them ; this combina- 

 tion and concentration of knowledge, to 

 which we owe the power loom, the steam 

 engine, canals and rail-roads, is what the 

 farmer wants, and what he can only acquire 

 by social clubs, societies, lyceums, frequent 

 discussions, and investigation of every thing 

 pertaining to his occupation. That farmers 

 are becoming alive to the benefits of such 

 associations, is evinced by the rapid estab- 

 lishment of them throughout the country. 

 In New England — the very granary of hu- 

 man intellect. Agricultural Societies are 

 formed, and shows held in almost every dis- 

 trict. In the State of New York, where 

 the legislature has wisely held out a foster- 

 ing hand, the farmers are convening in 

 every county, and their great central So- 

 ciety almost rivals in celebrity and import- 

 ance, those of Great Britain. 



I am happy to see that this feeling is fast 

 spreading amongst the farmers of old Penn- 

 sylvania, and hope the time is not far dis- 

 tant when every district will enjoy the 

 benefits of agricultural associations, and 

 schools, libraries, &c. Then, and not till 

 then, the farmer will take that stand in the 

 moi'al and social community, to which the 

 unequalled importance of his occupation 



gives him a just claim. But men require 

 exciting causes to stimulate and arouse 

 their dormant senses; they want some great 

 field of action, to renew and keep up the 

 proper spirit of emulation, and for this no- 

 thing is so effectual as periodical displays 

 of their property, skill and acquirements. 



At the recent agricultural show by the 

 Philadelphia Society, this spirit was fully 

 exemplified and brought out. The quality 

 and extent of contributions, excelled those 

 of previous shows in most particulars, while 

 the number of contributors proved the in- 

 creasing interest of the people. The ex- 

 cellent arrangements of the Society; their 

 efforts to accommodate all, and the liberal 

 and impartial manner in which their premi- 

 ums were distributed, elicited frequent re- 

 mark, and evidently increased the well 

 earned popularity of that Society. 



They are not, however, content with an- 

 nual exhibitions of stock, but also encourage 

 farmers to go on improving and perfecting 

 their science by premiums for crops of grain 

 and roots, and also for farms of various sizes. 



We hope their efforts to promote the cause 

 of agriculture, will be efficiently seconded 

 by the farmers of this vicinity, all of whom 

 should fall into their ranks, and partake of 

 the benefits which flow from such institu- 

 tions, when conducted with zeal and discre- 

 tion. A Cultivator. 



Nov. 1st, 1843. 



To forward the growth of vegetables, 

 whether cucumbers, melons, &c., take a 

 turnip — scoop out the inside, and fill the 

 cavity with rich and fine earth; sow the 

 seeds and place in a warm part of the house. 

 They will soon vegetate, and by the time 

 the fear of frost has passed, may be set 

 abroad in the open ground; the turnip offer- 

 ing no disturbance, but affording nutriment 

 on its decomposition. 



Corns between the toes are oflen very 

 troublesome and exceedingly painful; and 

 are frequently so situated as to be inaccessi- 

 ble to the usual remedies. Wetting them 

 with hartshorn, or with lemon juice, will, in 

 most cases, cure them for a time. 



A small slip of wadding put around a toe 

 that has a corn, and renewed everyday, will 

 give it much ease by interposing its soft- 

 ness between the corn and the pressure of 

 the stocking and shoe. 



Fowls. — In winter, hens should be fed in 

 part with potatoes, turnips, carrots, cabbage, 

 &c., to supply the want of grass and seeds 

 that they obtain in summer; this will cause 

 them to lay. 



