72 _ THE PH ILADELPHIA FLORIST. [July 



fr) to diffuse a knowledge of the most approved systems and practices of &\ 

 rp husbandry amongst that section of the community whose services are c^ 

 ( so indispensably necessary for the well-being of their country, but 

 ( whose daily toil, it is to be regretted, is very frequently expended 

 both unskilfully and unprofitably. The extensive information also, 

 both scientific and practical, which I know you to possess on this pro- 

 posed department of your labors, will, 1 should hope, be brought to 

 bear on the agriculture of your adopted country. You will thus be 

 able to render your publication what it ought to be— a most valuable 

 acquisition to the farmer as well as to the gardener ; and which, I am 

 confident, will in time be duly appreciated. 



A lecture of mine, on Agricultural Education, delivered at the com- 

 mencement of the present session, has just passed through the columns 

 of the Farmers' Gazette. It is contemplated, in reference to it, that 

 it should appear in the form of a small pamphlet for general circula- 

 tion. Should this be the case I shall forward you a copy of it ; and if 

 you consider the matter contained in it worthy of a place in the pages 

 of the Florist, you will be at liberty to give it insertion In the event 

 of a delay in carrying out this arrangement, I shall endeavor to pro- 

 cure the numbers of the Gazette in which it appeared, and transmit 

 them to you. 



With best wishes for the success of your yournal, 1 am, dear sir, 

 yours very sincerely, John Donaghy. 



Agriculture—As it is in Britain. 



BY F. W. CONNOR. 



Sir : — The agriculture of Britain is now settling down in the 

 steady path of progress. High rents have ceased to be the order of 

 the day — protection has vanished — and energy, industry, and eco- 

 nomical habits form the distinguishing features in the character of the 

 cultivator of the soil. The more science is brought to bear upon 

 practical knowledge, the more rapidly are the interests of agricul- 

 ture advanced. In the way of improvements much attention is de- 

 voted to the construction of implements for abridging and economi- 

 sing farm labor. Several improved patterns of ploughs and grubbers, 

 suited for different soils and circumstances, have lately made their 

 appearance. Steam power is becoming more generally employed, 

 and it is not a little curious to witness the "tall" chimney gracing the 

 farmtsead. Steam engines of five horse power are in much request, 

 and it is not uncommon to observe the different operations of thrash- 

 ing, winnowing, sacking and weighing corn; chopping hay and straw 

 into chaff; crushing oil cake, bones, and corn; churning, pumping wa- 

 ter, and cutting turnips, going on at the same time. Hussey's reaping 

 machine is likely to prove satisfactory, as a great many orders have Uj 



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