IMPEDIMENTS TO AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. 591 



In conflrmation of tlie above we find the following communication in the Mark-Lane Express 

 of the 17th of April, 1848 : 



throughout the winter to this time. On some 



Potato Disease. — Sir: In tlie spring of 

 ISil, I was advised by a neighbor to sow 

 agricultural salt broadcast on the ground in- 

 tended for potatoes, before it was prepared 

 for the crop, after the rate of a peck to five 

 square yards of land. I did so, and the crop 



proved a very good one, and has kept free j of the public. ' A Farmkr 



from blemish or any particle of disease, j Hurat Green, Sussex, AprU 13. 



round adjoining I omitted to sow any salt, 

 and the potatoes grown thereon were scabby 

 and diseased. I came therefore to the con- 

 clusion that salt is a preventive of die disease, 

 and I send these facts to voii for the benefit 



Written for the American Courier.* 



CHRONOLOGY AND CURIOSITIES OF AGRICULTURE ; 



WITH PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS. 



BY JOHN S. SKINVER. 

 Founder of " The Turf Register," and '• American Farmer," and Editor of " The Farmers' Library." 



WHAT ARE THE IMPEDIMENTS TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF AMERICAN 

 AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY ? 



A THOROUGH discussion of this subject, in an Agricultural Society, or else- 

 where, would probably result in the conclusion that the greatest impediment is 

 the want of a jnore enlarged and comprehensive system of education, adapted to 

 the condition and pursuits of the agriculturist. With such a system, every art 

 and every industry of the country would be meliorated and advanced. The cul- 

 tivators of the soil, in gaining knowledge, would gain power — power in the man- 

 agement of their own means and faculties, and their just share of influence over 

 the action of the Government. The state of their Agriculture, and the estima- 

 tion and political power of those who follow it, are the best possible tests of the 

 state of civilization in all countries. The Earth is the great producing machine, 

 after all, and in a national and rational point of view, all other pursuits and ma- 

 chinery are beneficial in proportion as they contribute to the improvement of the 

 great machine of production on which all classes depend for their occupation and 

 bread. 



Wo great substantial and pervading amendment can be realized except from 

 and along with a broader and better digested system of education in reference to 

 the working and use of this great machine of production— mother Earth. If 

 farmers submit to the appropriation of eighty cents in every dollar of the taxes 

 levied on them, for the support of military establishments. Army and Navy 

 Schools among the rest, why do they not compel their Representatives to de- 

 mand something, if only in the way of commencement, for Agricultural Schools? 

 Will any man say that Science cannot do as much for enlightening and rendering 

 more efiicient the use of the plow, as it can and has done for that of tiie can- 

 non and the sword ? And as to Constitutional power over the subject, if Uncle 

 Sam can turn Editor and book-publisher, sending out his 150,000 volumes annu- 

 ally, in rivalry and destruction of the Agricultural Press of the country, may he 



* A family newspaper of the largest size and of deservedly popular character— so much so 

 that its increasing circulation now ranges above sixty thousand — Andrew McMakin, Editor 

 and proprietor; price S2 a year ; published in Philadelphia It is hif,'hly illustrated, and its con- 

 tents so various that he must bo more cynical than Diogenes or the I'achelor of the Albany 

 himself, who does not find in it something highly entertaining. A column like the articles here 

 transferred to our pages 1.5 every week given for the amusement and instruction of agricultural 

 and horticultural readers. 

 (1111) 



