1848 



GENESEE FARMER. 



203 



and often, as is the case in these agricultural 

 fairs, from widely extended districts, and even 

 from the different extremities of our country ; 

 when one great subject is the reigning topic of 

 discourse, and all the arrangements are devoted 

 to promote its discussion, it is impossible that 

 even those of slower mood should not feel their 

 blood quickened, an interest excited, enthusiasm 

 kindled, and a glow of generous sympathy be 

 felt for each other and their kindred pursuits. 

 Those who have worn the badges of their differ- 

 ent sects or parties, for a time lay them aside 

 and mingle together as the brotherhood of the 

 soil ; and while they learn to respect and esteem 

 each other as sharing in the same great pursuits 

 of life, they smooth down the asperities of con- 

 flicting opinions, and the hand-grasp they have 

 given or taken when they beheld or learned to 

 recognize each other in another guize than, be- 

 fore, will linger in memory when the scene and 

 apparent pageantry as it may be regarded by 

 some, has passed away. The influence of this 

 to bind together those from different parts of our 

 Union should not be despised, but cherished as 

 a hallowed one, which may contribute some- 

 what to allay the the troubled waters, and breathe 

 its peaceful spirit, calm, like the pursuits from 

 which it springs, through all the elements of 

 strife, till the voice of its utterance is heard 

 and obeyed. 



As a part of this apparatus of means for agri- 

 cultural improvement, the conventions which 

 are held in the capitals of some of the States 

 during the session of the legislatures, deserves a 

 distinct notice. It is a gratifying sight to see 

 our legislators of the state sovereignties thus 

 meeting for discussion and mutual improvement 

 in this earliest profession of mankind, and we 

 rejoice to perceive that the practice is spreading. 

 Will the time be long before such a convention 

 will hold its meetings during the period of the 

 session of every state legislature, and the prac- 

 tical farmer, and the man of scientific pursuits 

 and profession, as it were together ascend from 

 the arena of hot debate to recreate their wearied 

 feelings in the healthful interchange of their in- 

 tellectual and experimental stores on the broad 

 and elevated grounds where they may cheer 

 their hearts with the prospect of waving harvest- 

 fields, smiling abodes of plenty, rejoicing flocks 

 and herds, and industrious, happy men ? 



The reports of the associations and societies, 

 to which we have alluded, belong also to the 

 literature of this branch of national industry, 

 and form, from time to time, volumes of great 

 value for reference, as they embody the results 

 of much practical experience, often, too, guided 

 by science and extensive knowledge. It was 

 our intention to have obtained a list of all the 

 agricultural societies and farmers' clubs in our 

 country, and published in an appendix ; but our 

 list though a large one, is not deemed sufficiently 



perfect, and it must, therefore, be reserved for 

 some future period. It would be interesting to 

 know the number of their members, the amount 

 they yearly distribute in premiums, perhaps the 

 estimated value of the exhibitions, the number 

 of cattle and other domestic animals, the weight 

 and valuation of the best specimens of these, the 

 average of the finest crops and a few items 

 more, which might present a bird's eye view of 

 the results of their influence. Probably such a 

 plan may only be accomplished by the gradual 

 ingathering and summing up of years ; but we 

 are persuaded it would form an item of no com- 

 mon interest in a report on the agricultural as- 

 pect of our country. — Report of the Commis- 

 sioner of Patents, for 1847. 



Preservation of Manure. 



S. A. Law, Esq., in his address before the 

 Delaware county, (N. Y.,) Agricultural Society, 

 makes the following sensible remarks in regard 

 to the preservation of manures : 



"While the full value of manures is admitted, 

 how few farmers have their yards so constructed 

 as to prepare and preserve the greatest amount 

 of fertilizing compost. Instead of barn and 

 stable yards made lowest in the middle, to retain 

 those liquids which chemical analysis and actual 

 experience have shown to be more valuable, and 

 to contain in a more concentrated form, the ele- 

 ments of vegetation than solid manure, most 

 farm yards are on sloping ground, as if con- 

 structed purposely for waste — and not unfre- 

 quently with a rivulet near by, to carry away 

 all that may wash into it ; instead of yards in 

 the fall of the year, filled with compost from the 

 swamp, or from ditches, to be converted into 

 manure, we see them empty, and usually pro- 

 vided with a ditch to carry off all moisture. 

 Farmers who mean to be economical — who in- 

 dulge in r.o unnecessary expense — and vsho 

 would hesitate to spend a shilling for the gratifi- 

 cation of a depraved appetite, by such practices 

 as I have referred to, throw away dollars. 

 Swamp mud, turf, leaves, weeds, and in fine, all 

 the refuse of a farm, useless as manure in a 

 natural state, when placed in the barn-yard or 

 pig-sty, and thoroughly incoi-porated with ma- 

 terials there, becomes the best of manure, amply 

 repaying the farmer for the time spent in col- 

 lecting them." 



Agricultdral Papers. — A correspondent of the Ohio 

 Cultivator states the case of a firmer who lost $150 by 

 neglecting to take that paper. He had taken it formerly, 

 but concluded that he could do without it. After he had 

 discontinued it. certain practitionersof Neurotomy on horses 

 were traversing that State, and the paper cautioned the 

 farming public repeatedly against the practice. But this 

 farmer did not see these precautionary remarks, and suffer- 

 ed two fine horses to be operated upon, paying him ten 

 dollars, which resulted in the entire ruin of his two horses. 

 Farmers must not expect to be guarded against impositions, 

 unless they inform themselves. 



