294 [Assembly 



general ?" If he mean works on agricultural chemistry, — on 

 botany, — on the principles of vegetationy — on the breeds of cattle, 

 sheep and horses, — on the constituent parts of all the fertilizers, and 

 of grains, grasses and plants, — are they not the same in one country 

 as in another ? But if he means some particular book, to which 

 one can recur, that recommends particular crops, not suited to our 

 market, or to which our climate is ill-adapted, then it should have so 

 appeared in the question given out ; and then there would be some- 

 thing tangible to examine and discuss. If, in short, the character 

 of New-Yoik Farmers is involved in and responsible for the questions 

 and proceedings which appear in their name, then most respectfully, 

 in their behalf as practical men, I would submit, whether these 

 questions should not be propounded after due deliberation, and the 

 proceedings had upon them, be reviewed, so far^^like those of other 

 bodies, as to be pronounced substantially accurate, and reasonably 

 full? Would it not be well to appoint a Committee, to consist of at 

 least two-thirds, practical farmers, to decide on and publish a series 

 of questions for the season, — for each of which, particular days 

 should be assigned, and all published at once, and then let the club 

 confine itself to the specific question, and finish that before taking 

 up any other? 



For instance, what ha? become of the " stock and particularly 

 Iambs," assigned for a former meeting, and at the last turned loose, 

 it seems, at this critical season of the year, — between " hay and 

 grass," — as the farmers call it? " The care of the stock and parti- 

 cularly lambs?" — well, was it meant by the comprehensive teim 

 stock, horses and stock of all kinds, or oxen, or dairy stock? — graz- 

 ing cattle in the mountains, or fat cattle in the meadows? — or calves 

 at the cow's foot? — or what? 



As for the " care of lambs," — the first carfe, one would think, 

 would be to keep them clear of wolves and dogs, — then from thieves, 

 in some States, " that break through and steal." " The care of stock 

 and particularly lam's," — does it mean winter or summer, — in the 

 house or in the field? With the utmost deference, I would ask leave 

 to suggest, that questions should take a more practical and specific 

 shape, to be understood and considered by plain, practical farmers. 



We shall see what is said in the " official report" of " Ejropean 

 works." That there may be errors in the best of them is only to 

 say what everybody knows. To err is human. The best wheat is 

 not free from chaff, but science, — and European science at that, — 



