264 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



was the time that all nature looked smiling, and then 

 was the time to have instilled into our breasts a love 

 of nature, by instructing us in the first principles of 

 natural science. We have been told that Mr. Barnes, 

 whose name is identified with the conchology of this 

 country, many years ago had charge of a public 

 school in the city of New York, and was highly suc- 

 cessful in managing and improving his boys, besides 

 implanting in their bosoms a strong love of nature, 

 without interfering with their other studies. He 

 encouraged the boys to gather curious stones, peb- 

 bles, shells, &c., during the time of intermission, and 

 bring thcni to him. He would then name them, and 

 talk about them, returning to each boy his own 

 specimen ; and the boys began to form cabinets for 

 themselves. The effect was, it kept the boys out of 

 mischief, besides affording them useful knowledge. 

 Many of the boys of that school preferred gathering 

 Bpecimcns of natural history to pla)', and several 

 of them afterwards became distinguished naturalists. 

 But the present system of common school education 

 tends to deaden, instead of strengthening, a love of 

 nature in children. Even in our higher schools and 

 colleges, the study of natural science is considered 

 of secondary importance, and there, if taught, it is 

 generally done very superficially ; however, a brighter 

 day begins to dawn, and its importance is seen and 

 felt by many. 



A great proof of the power of the study of natural 

 history to afford happiness, is the health-giving prin- 

 ciple. It leads its votaries to spend much time in 

 the open air, amid the glorious scenes of creation, 

 where their minds are agreeably entertained by 

 the surrounding objects, whose order and beautitWl 

 adaptation of means to ends excite both admiration 

 and wonder. That the state of the mind has a great 

 influence upon the body, is well known to all. Its 

 power to restore to health dyspeptic and consumptive 

 persons is magical. We know of several distin- 

 guished naturalists, Avho think that they are indebted 

 to their love of nature for their health and life. At 

 one time, the state of our health was such, that our 

 friends supposed we would not live long, and we 

 almost despaired of life. Away from home, in the 

 university at Middlctown, Ct., we began the study 

 of mineralogy, and the formation of a cabinet. With 

 congenial spirits, we roamed over the glorious hills 

 of New England, examined her quarries, mines, and 

 stone fences, in search of specimens. We had happy 

 times. Our health Avas restored. 



A great recommendation to the study of nature, 

 and one Avhich should induce parents to have their 

 children so instructed, is, that it is a great preven- 

 tive of vice and dissipation, because the mind of the 

 naturalist is never at loss for employment, for suit- 

 able food. Let him be where he may, the great 

 book of nature is ever open, inviting his study and 

 attention, always presenting something new or won- 

 derful. The order and variety Avhich nature dis- 

 plays, is one great cause of the study of natural 

 history being so fascinating, since the love of variety 

 is deeply implanted in the human heart. The mind 

 of the student of nature is never at a loss for com- 

 pany, for good society. He has no need of resorting 

 to the tavern, the grog-shop, or gambling-house, to 

 pass away the time. Let fai-mers' sons be well 

 educated, especially in the different branches of nat- 

 ural history; then they would not become dissatisfied 

 with their vocation, as it sometimes happens, but 

 they would prefer it to every other. Suiiposing that 

 a farmer knows the correct name of every plant, with 

 its properties, that grows on his farm, the composi- 

 tion of its soil, its minerals, and rocks ; would not 

 such knowledge add greatly to his happiness r Then 

 he would do his work undcrstandiugly, and his 

 daily walks in the fields would be enlivened by 

 familiar acquaintances. Not a fiower, or plant, or 



pebble, would escape his notice; indeed, there is 

 nothing which tends more than the study of nature 

 to increase the powers of observation. The natural- 

 ist sees beauties unseen by others ; tastes pleasures 

 unknown and unfelt to others. " He sees wisdom 

 in the trees, books in the running brooks, sermons 

 in stones, and good in every thing." He does not 

 become tired and disgusted with life, and find fault 

 with the world and the order of Providence ; but 

 the more he studies, the more he discovers wisdom, 

 design, and goodness in the arrangement of things, 

 and a unity of design in that arrangement, proclaim- 

 ing that its Author is one and the same, possessing 

 all knowledge and power. It has often been said 

 that a country life is the happiest, and poets have 

 often sung its praises ; for this the citizen pants 

 while toiling to amass a fortune ; and yet such a one, 

 after having accomplished his wishes, and purchased 

 a seat in the country, is often doomed to disappoint- 

 ment, simply for the reason that such a life is differ- 

 ent from his former habits, which have become to 

 him a second nature ; besides, he is ignorant of nat- 

 ural historj', and a country life soon loses its charms, 

 and he longs to return to his former busy avocation. 

 Had such a one a knowledge of and taste for nature, 

 how happily could he pass his life amid the varied 

 scenes of a country life ! 



S. B. BUCKLEY. 

 West Dresden, Yates Co., N. Y., Dec, 1848. 

 — Lancaster {Pa.) Farmer. 



DISEASES IN HORSES. 



Broken Wind, — Broken wind is a disease with 

 which horses are aftected. The air-cells of the lungs 

 become ruptured, from various causes, and respira- 

 tion is labored and irregular. " The cure of a broken- 

 winded horse," says Youatt, " no one ever witnessed, 

 yet much may be done by way of palliation. The 

 food of the animal should consist of much nutriment 

 condensed into a small compass ; the quantity of 

 oats should be increased and that of hay diminished ; 

 the bowels should be gently relaxed by the frequent 

 use of mashes ; the water should be given sparingly 

 through the day, although at night the thirst of the 

 animal should be fully satisfied ; and exercise should 

 never be taken when the stomach is full. It will 

 scarcely be believed how much relief these simple 

 measures will aftbrd the broken-winded horse, and 

 of how much exertion he may be gradually rendered 

 capable. Carrots are very useful to the broken- 

 winded horse, not only as maintaining much nutri- 

 ment and considerable moisture, so that less water 

 may be required, but from some property they possess 

 rendering them useful in every chest affection. A 

 broken-winded horse turned out to grass, will never 

 improve, on account of the almost constant disten- 

 tion of the stomach." 



Worms. — It is to be presumed that the horse is 

 troubled with worms when he has frequent attacks 

 of colic, when he loses his appetite and strength, 

 without any apparent cause. He shoiild take bitter 

 infusions, as wormwood, or tansy, and infusions of 

 Carolina pink. Another excellent vermifuge is soot 

 from a chimney where wood is burnt, given in doses 

 of three or four ounces, mixed with warm milk. 



Wens. — Tumors at first soft and indolent, which 

 grow under the skin, and which have a tendency to 

 become hard, and increase in size indefinitely, — the 

 only sure method is to cut them out. This may be 

 safely done, care being taken not to wound a blood 

 vessel, or other important part. — Selected. 



A bushel of wheat, weighing sixty-two pounda, 

 contains 550,000 kernels. 



