Revieio of the JVeto York Farmer and Gard. Mag. 433 



Art. IV. J^ew- York Farmer and American Gardener'' s Maga- 

 zine. In Monthly Numbers. Quarto. Three dollars a year, 

 in advance. Nos. 1 to 10, from January to October, inclu- 

 sive. New York. 1836. 



This work is, in reality, what the first part of its title indi- 

 cates, a farming periodical: the quantity of matter, particularly 

 original, which relates to gardening, being but a very small por- 

 tion, compared with that treating upon agriculture. It has now 

 reached the ninth volume (sixth of a new series) , and has been, 

 we believe, a very useful work. We know not but what it may 

 still be so, and we hope it is. We have not, however, noticed 

 it at this time to discuss its valu*? to the agricultural, or even gar- 

 dening portion of the community, but to make a few remarks 

 respecting the conducting of the work. 



To gather and diffuse useful information, in whatever manner, 

 either by original communications, or by extracts from cotempo- 

 rary journals, should be the object of a periodical work treating 

 upon any subject connected with the sciences or the arts. But 

 that magazine, paper, or journal, which contains the most ori- 

 ginal information, and which is continually bringing forward such 

 to the notice of the public, must, in the view of all, not only be 

 thought, but in reality be, the most valuable and interesting work. 

 In such a one, new ideas are advanced, suggestions thrown out, 

 successful experiments detailed. But the task of conducting 

 such a work is no easy one, and requires not only unremitting 

 labor and attention on the part of the author, but the aid and co- 

 operation of those who are interested in the subject of which it 

 treats. Nor is this alone all: the expense attending the publication 

 of a periodical containing original contributions is very great, and 

 hence it can only be carried on with success, when a good cir- 

 culation is obtained. But the mass of the reading pubhc 

 call for cheap publications, and whether such are got up by 

 fair or unfair competition, it matters not. A work is pub- 

 lished composed wholly, or in part, of extracts made up from 

 some original periodical. The authors of the former, seizing upon 

 the contributions of the latter, appropriate them to their own use, 

 and, spreading them before the public, completely paralyze the 

 efforts of those who have labored to gratify their patrons. There 

 are those, it is true, who know how to appreciate the latter: but 

 they are few in comparison with the many: and while that maga- 

 zine or paper containing original information is suffered to lan- 

 guish, that filled with extracts receives a liberal support. 



But we come to the subject at the head of this article. Until 



VOL. II. — NO. XI. 55 



