NEW-YORK FARMER AXD 



two sloping banks, each mounted with a grape vine : 

 the whole of which is surrounded with a granite wall, 

 faced on both sides, enclosing also a fine spring of 

 water. Passing from the manufactory along the banks 

 of the river, the prospect is very fine, where you pass 

 a fine ice-house, and are soon in sight of several acres 

 of beautiful intervale, which a few years since was a 

 sunken morass ; this was reclaimed by building a sub- 

 stantial wall at a suitable distance from the channel of 

 the river.and earth was removed in boats from a hill on 

 the opposite side, and filled in. From the crops taken 

 since from that land, without adding manure, I should 

 suppose it paid ample interest of the expense incurred ; 

 at any rate, it adds much to the scenery, and is always 

 sure to produce well in all seasons. 



"When we behold the smiling valley, spread 

 In gay luxuriance far before us, sheep 



And oxen grazing 



As nearer to his farm you make aoproach, 

 Hepolish'd nature with a finer hand. 

 Yet on her beauties durst not art encroach ; 

 ' Tis art's alone the beauties to expand." 

 After surveying a farm like this, those that have a 

 taste for agriculture will feel highly gratified that among 

 those composing the highest rank in society, are men 

 who are actually engaged in that gootl cause. To say 

 that Fatnerland Farm was well cultivated, after men- 

 tioning the owner's name, would be superil .ous. The 

 committee appointed by the Essex Agricultural Soci- 

 ety, and who reported a short time siuce, in speaking 

 of Fatherland Farm, say, " It is well managed, and af- 

 fords many illustrations of successful experiments." 



P. 

 We should be much pleased to receive descriptions 

 of the best cultivated farms in Massachusetts, and in 

 other sections of the Union. Such descriptions, and 

 also biographical sketches of distinguished agricultu- 

 rists, have very great influence in exciting farmers to 

 exertion, and are the most interesting and instructing 

 topics that an agricultural writer could select : particu- 

 larly if the narration i- interspersed with scientific ex- 

 planation of the principles that may be involved. 



Editor. 



i For the New York Farmer and Horticultural Repository.] 

 ART. 3.— G. Thorburn <y Son's Seed Store. 

 Mr. Eoitor, 



Under the impression that the readers of the 

 New-York Farmer are interested in whatever is con- 

 nected with agricultural pursuits, I take the liberty to 

 you a description of Thorburns' Seed Store, No. 

 67 Liberty Str< i r. 



Being fond of \ iewing nature in her mantle of green, 

 I am in the habit of spending much of my time at 

 Messrs. Thorburns', where Madam Flora, in all her 



gay attire, now sits secure from the freezing embrace 

 of old and stern Winter. Here I see much to pli 

 the eye — read much to amuse and instruct, and listen 

 to the remarks of men of information and science wh ; 

 frequent this pleasant retreat. 



The premises are 85 by 90 feet. The building, 

 formerly occupied as a Friends' Meeting louse, is 50 

 by 40. An iron railing separates the yard from the 

 street. In front is an elegant green house occu, 

 the length of the building, and t.irough which are two 

 entrances into the store. In the green house are 

 about 3000 plants from all climes, arranged in beauti- 

 ful order, and putting forth their flowers in all the gai- 

 ety of Spring. Now tint nature has put on her winter 

 garb, an occasional visit to this place cannot tail of af- 

 fording pleasure to all; and to tie contemplative mind, 

 many subjects of study. On entering the store, tin: 

 visitor is struck with the taste displayed in the general 

 arrangement — the labelled drawers centainino- seed 

 from every quarter of the globe, and a great variety of 

 utensils for farming and gardening, are displayed to 

 advantage — the high walls are decorated with land- 

 scape views of farms, and rural scenery. In different 

 parts of the store are cases of birds of exquisite plu- 

 mage, preserved in the most natural attitudes ; on th« 

 shelves are books on Botany and various subjects con- 

 nected with Horticulture. Some of them are rare, 

 and others contain elegantly colored plates. Amon" 

 them are the first and second New-York Directories, 

 published in 1786 and 7; a complete «et of the New- 

 York Museum from the first of January, 1795; the 

 New- York Gazette, beginning with January, 1811. — 

 In my frequent visits, I always find a table, books, a 

 good fire, and a chair with a welcome invitation to sit 

 down. Here I amuse myself with interesting and use- 

 ful books, or listen to the music of a hundred feathered 

 songsters in the aviary connected with the establish- 

 ment. 



As this, Mr. Editor, is the most extensive seed store 

 in America, and as complete an one as will -be met with 

 in the whole lour of Europe, perhaps a history of its 

 commencement and progress will not be uninteresting 

 to yaur readers. The following facts I obtained from 

 an account on the cover of their catalogue of seeds, and 

 from frequent conversation with the senior of the firm. 



Mr. T. the elder, is a Scotchman by birth, and a 

 nail maker by profession. In this occupation he spent 

 some years in this city, but the introduction of cut- 

 nail machines, as he stated, cut him out of employment. 

 After this he kept a small grocery, but a powerful com- 

 petitor in the same business commenced near by, and 

 cut him out of this also. He next commenced painting 

 flower-pots with a green varnished color. One day. 

 observing some plants lor sale in the market, he pur- 

 chased one, not for the purpose of sale, but to trans- 

 plant into a green pot to stand in his shop to draw at- 



