Literary Notices. 55 



effort at ibe artistic discriminntion neces-ary to produce that almost un- 

 attainable eftect — iraproveiner.t of nature — he wholly, utterly fails. The 

 technical cant about " hilly slopes," "bold outlines," "broad expanse," 

 etc., etc., with which the work is so plentifully interlarded, lacks the ring 

 of the true metal to the comprehensive and feeling mind, that detects the 

 superficialnessaud meritriciousnessof its application; and although it may 

 jingle pleasantly enough on the ears of the ignorant or unskilful, where 

 it passes for current coin, and with whom this method of " holding the 

 mirror up to nature" may escape criticism, to the "judicious few," the 

 warped image paraded for their inspection, and rendering scenic descrip- 

 tion farcical, will be provocative of no appreciative feeling. 



As a literary production, Mr. Wheeler's book is entitled to a place in 

 any gentleman's library, his style is pleasing, and; if we except some od- 

 dities of phrase, such as " the most cheerfully shone upon side," etc., his 

 expressions are generally happy. The drawings and engravings are fairly 

 made, and the typography and plate printing beautifully executed. 



in'/, i;;ai; i.oo;i of Agriculture. Published by Chilis ct Peterson, 



Philadelphia. 



The object of this work is one that will render it invaluable as a me- 

 dium of retrospective information to the agriculturist. Everything of im- 

 portance to the farmer that has transpired during the past year is collect- 

 ed and made public in a brief and lucid form. It is designed to be a 

 substantial summary of agricultural progre^^s. The book is divided into 

 several departments under the following captions : Agricnltiiral Mechan- 

 ics, Agricultural Chemistry, Agricultural and Economic Geology, Agri- 

 cultural Zoology, Agricultural Botany, Agricultiiral Metereology, &c. 

 The work is edited by David A. Wells, A. M., a gentleman celebrated 

 for his participation in agricultural pursuits and their attributes. Its ob- 

 ject will be better comnrehendf^d by reference to the annexed extract from 

 circular. 



"The ol'j' 1,1 ciui,>uj|M,in.u iu ■.iXK- ■Mv^^c.i.iiii'ii h !i u publicatioH of tlic Ycav 

 Book of Agriculture, is to aid in the progress and development of that 

 science upon which the prosperity of our country so eminently depends. 

 It is within a comparatively recent period only, that agriculture has, to 

 any great degree, participated in that wonderful advancement which, du- 

 ring the present century, has characterized nearly every department of 

 industry or applied science. In this pursuit alone has the knowledge 

 possessed by one generation been deemed ample and sufficient for its suc- 

 eessors. Houtine, therefore, and not jyrogress, has been the result. 



The present period, however, as re?^pects agriculture, is one of great ac- 



