1850. 



THE GENESEE FARMER. 



289 



€iiitor's Sable. 



The present number completes the volume for 1850. We 

 tliink we have fulfilled the promises made at the commence- 

 ment of the year, and we know we have earnestly endeav- 

 ored to make our paper the medium of useful information to 

 farmers of the country. Every number of the Farmer con- 

 tains communications from some twenty practical farmers, 

 giving their experience on all matters connected with farming, 

 and it would be strange, indeed, if new and important facts 

 are not brought to light, sufficent at least to compensate for 

 the cost of the paper. On the subject of fruit growing, we 

 think Mr. JUrky hns presented a mass of information of the 

 highest importance — that should be known and practiced. 

 Our Horticultural Department will compare favorably with 

 that of any paper in any country. 



We issue this number earlier than usual, in order to give 

 our friends an opportunity to make up their clubs in time 

 for the January number ; and we hope they will make 

 an efibrt at once, to increase our lists in their respective 

 neighborhoods. We have no paid agents — and we desire to 

 have none. We are willing to depend up(m the voluntary 

 labors of the friends of agricultural improvement. By this 

 course we have succeeded thus far, and we are willing to 

 depend on it for the future. There is scarcely a district in 

 which our circulation might not be doubled by a little exer- 

 tion. We look upon each subsciber as a friend, aud the one 

 to make this exertion. We refer all to tiie books we offer as 

 premiums. In this way we are attempting to reward those 

 who are laboring to increase our circulation — but the greater 

 reward must be the satisfaction of benefiting neighbors and 

 neighborhoods. We are under many obligations for favors 

 bestowed, the present year — and wo hope not one who for- 

 warded us subscribers for the present, will be satisfied to send 

 a smaller list the coming year. To post-masters we are par- 

 ticularly indebted, and we are certainly willing to increase 

 that indebtedness, though it is our intention the coming 

 year to endeavor to make some small return to those who 

 labor for us^or rather for the cause in which we are engaged. 



We use no idle words when we say that we have increased 

 facilities for making the Genesee Farmer superior to what 

 it has been, and equal at least, to any agricultural paper pub- 

 lished in this country. Although the Farmer has given sat- 

 isfaction, we believe, in every case, and papers and patrons 

 have spoken in the most llattering terms, omvurd is our motto. 

 We have to thank our numerous correspondents, for interest- 

 ing and valuable articles. We have some favors yet on 

 hand, which will be published as early as possible. 



We would urge upon our friends the importance of making 

 out their Usts of subscribers early. There is no danger but 

 you will get a large number if you commence in season. In 

 a town in the southern part of the state, where we have never 

 before had more than eight subscribers a correspondent 

 writes — 



Messrs Editors :— On election day, while all around me were 

 electioneering for their favorite candidate.^, I was presenting the 

 claims of the Genesee Farmer upon their patronage, and my suc- 

 cess was beyond a parallel for this town, and I think for the State. 

 This town polls a vote of 260. and I got fifty navies for the Farmer. 



This shows what may be done by a little effort. 



Our Canadian Subscribers. — We have long been wait- 

 ing for an arrangement between this country and Canada, by 

 which our subscribers across the lake would be relieved from 

 the unjust tax of double postage. Our patience has at last 

 become exhausted, and we have resolved to take the matter 

 into our own hands. Hereafter we will furnish the Farmer 

 to our Canadian subscribers on tiie same terms as to subscrib- 

 ers in the States — 50 cents single copies : 5 copies for $2 ; 

 8 copies for $3. and any greater number at this rate. As we 

 have done this at the solicitation and for the benefit of o;ii 

 readers in Canada, we think wo hi.'e some claim on thcjr 

 favor. Shall we not receive a host of subscribers from 

 Canada for the new volume, to cooimence on the first of 

 January? 



New Churn. — Our attention has Iw^en called to a new 

 churn, manufactured by C. E. Clarh, of Dansville. It is 

 on the principle of the Thermometer Churn, but is said to be 

 superior in several particulars. We have not had time to 

 examine it, but may do so hereafter. 



We issue this number so early that some matters designed 

 for this month, were not received in season. The index, 

 &c., also prevent our giving the usual variety. 



The Great Industrial Exhibition of 1851. — The Lon- 

 don papers contain ah engraving of the building now erect- 

 ing for this, the World's Great Show. It is to be composed, 

 principally, of glass and iron, and will be 1848 feet long, and 

 408 feet broad, covering 18 acres of ground. The the roof 

 will be supported by 3,230 hollow cast-iron pillars, from 14 

 to 20 feet long, each of which is a water conductor from the 

 peculiar-shaped roof, which is composed of a succession of 

 low ridges of glazed sash, which conduct the falling water 

 into uuraerous wooden gutters, which discharge through the 

 supporting pillars. The center of the immense structure is 

 crossed by a transept 108 feet high, enclosing a row of large 

 elm trees that stand in the way, but are two large to be re- 

 moved, and must not he destroyed. The glass used will 

 weigh 400 tons, and covers 900,000 superficial feet. The 

 roof and south side will be covered with canvass to break 

 the glare of the sun, which would otherwise be intolerable, 

 even in smoky London. The cubic contents of this largest 

 room ever built in the world, will be 33,000.000 feet. 



Town and County Libraries. — The opportunity afibrded 

 to establish town and county agricultural libraries, we hope 

 will not be forgotten. Although ^fifty doUars is but a small 

 sum for a library, yet it will furnish most of the good agri- 

 cultural works published in this country, and form a neu- 

 cleus, to which additions can be made as found necessary. 



The Old Farmer's Elegy. — Reading the lines below, 

 called to our remembrance several who were numbered 

 among our subscribers at the commencement of the year, 

 who now sleep the long sleep. One, in particular, who sent 

 us many names, and who remarked on receiving the books 

 to which he was entitled as a premium, that his object was to 

 get his 5ons interested in the cause — that his work was almost 

 done. How nearly done, we little thought. May the sons 

 in whoso welfare he felt such an interest, be worthy of the 

 father. He was a good farmer — a good citizen — a kind hus- 

 band and father — a benevolent man — a christian. la the 

 best anything better — the greatest, greater. 



On a green grassy knoll, by the bank of the brook 

 That so long and so often had watered his flock. 

 The old farmer rests in his long and last sleep. 

 While the waters a low, lisping lullaby keep ; 

 He has plowed his last furrow, has reaped his last grain; 

 No morn shall awake him to labor again. 



The blue-bird sings sweet on the gay maple bough. 

 Her warbling oft cheered him while holding the plow. 

 And the robins above him hop light on the mold, 

 For he fed them with crumbs when the season was cold. 

 He has plowed his last furrow, has reaped his last grain; 

 No morn shall awake him to labor again. 



Yon tree that with fragrance is filling the air, 



So rich with its blossoms, so thrifty and foir, 



By his own hand was planted, and well did he say, 



It would live v/hen its planter had moulded away. 



He has plowed his last furrow, has reaped his last grain; 



No morn shall awake hira to labor again. 



There's the well that he dug, with its water so cold 

 With its wet-dripping bucket, so mossy and old — 

 No more from its depths by the patriarch drawn, 

 For the " pitcher is broken.*' the old man is gone ! 

 He has plowed his last furrow, has reaped his last grain; 

 No morn shall awake him to labor again. 



And the seat where he sat by his own cottage door, 

 In the still summer eves, when his labors were o'er, 

 With his eye on the moon, and his pipe in his hand, 

 Dispensing his truths like a sage of the land. 

 He has plowed his last furrow, has reaped his last gTain; 

 No morn shall awake him to labor again. 



'Twas a gloom-giving day when the old farmer died, 

 The stout hearted mourned, the affectionate cried, 

 And the prayers of the just for his rest did ascend ; 

 For they all lost a Brother, a Man, and a Friend. 

 He has plowed his last furrow, has reaped his last grain; 

 No morn shall awake him to labor again. 



For upright and honest the old farmer was ; 



His God he revered, he respected the laws ; 



Tho' fameless he lived, he has gone where his worth 



Will outshine, like pure gold, all the dross of ibis earth. 



He has plowed his last furrow, has reaped his last grain ; 



No morn shall awake him to labor again. 



