American Quarterly Journal of Agriculture, S^c. 183 



REVIEWS. 



Art. I. American Quarterly Journal of Agriculture and 

 Science. Conducted by Dr. E. Emmons, and Dr. S. J. 

 Prime. Vol. I. No. I. January, February and March. 

 8vo. pp. 184. Albany, 1845. 



Some time since, we announced the prospectus for the pub- 

 lication of this journal, and we are now glad to have an op- 

 portunity to notice it. The number has been before us some 

 time, but other matter has crowded out our reviews. 



A quarterly journal, devoted to the agriculture of the 

 United States, is much wanted ; so great and growing an 

 interest should not be without a work of the kind. The 

 information which is scattered in agricultural newspapers 

 and periodicals, is but preparatory to the higher information 

 which a work of this kind is designed to impart. The 

 attempt to establish a journal, as the conductors say, in their 

 preface, may be looked upon by many as premature, but we 

 hope, notwithstanding, that it will prove successful. To show 

 the design and scope of its publication, we copy a portion 

 of the introductory address : — 



" The leading features of the Journal will be agricultural. Whatever 

 bears directly or indirectly upon the pursuit of farming, as a matter of 

 course, comes within our plan, and within the legitimate field of our labors. 

 We intend, however, to advocate that system of cultivation which is best 

 adapted to this country. While British and other foreign husbandry will 

 receive a full share of attention, we hope not to be considered singular in 

 the expression of the opinion that the interests of the American farmer 

 should not be identified with those of the European landholder, and cannot 

 always be best promoted by pursuing those methods which are found suc- 

 cessful abroad. We are aware, when we speak of American farming as 

 differing in character from that of England and other foreign countries, that 

 the distinction is not so much founded upon essentially different principles, 

 as upon position and circumstances ; for the principles of the science have 

 a general application ; the means and methods for procuring large and 

 bountiful returns from the earth, and for improving and perfecting the dif- 

 ferent kinds of stock, are the same here as in England or France : they are 

 founded on general and immutable laws. The food of plants consists of the 

 same elements everywhere, whether these plants grow in valleys or on 



