THE SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 95 
formation important, ft concerns us mainly to 
understand how a change of food, temperature, 
and ol all surrounding circumstances, will 
either impiove or deteriorate the organic struc- 
ture and natural functions, which translorm fur 
the practical larmer his cultivated plants, their 
seeds and roots, into wool, beet, pork, milk, 
lard, butter and cheese. That there is a wide 
difference in the results obtained, by the opera- 
tion of this living machinery in different ani- 
mals, no ol cerving man can doubt. Of two 
cows of equal weight, and consuming equal 
quantities precisely alike, one will elaborate 
for its owner 18 quarts of milk in 24 hours, 
while the other can form but 9 quarts in the 
same length of time. A pig, whose organiza- 
tion apparently is nearly perfect, will elaborate 
from a given amount of raw material, twice as 
much flesh and fat, as another whose respiratory 
and assimilating machinery are very defective. 
Exnerience and science alike demonstrate the 
truth of the remark that it takes 50 per cent, 
more food to produce a given amount of mus- 
cular strength and power of locomotion in one 
horse or ox, than is required in another. Ani- 
mals that had a common parentage ten genera- 
tions back, now possess not only widely differ- 
eat forms, but organic and constitutional pecu- 
liarities, of great impor'lance to those that may 
become rich or poor, according to the well or 
ill management of iheir herds and flocks. Emi- 
nent success alone attend skill in the breeding 
and keepingof domestic animals. This valua- 
ble skill is acquired by close observation, and 
studying the uniform laws of nature that go- 
vern the growth, maturity, and decay of organic 
beings. The most important and material 
changes in the development ol the organs of 
animals, and in the function ofeach organ, are 
made during the period that elapses from the 
first formation of the embryo, to the maturity ol 
each living complex structure. 
“As the twig is bent the tree’s inclined.” 
The plasticity of young animals and plants, 
and the extreme changes that may be wrought 
in their forms and habits are truly wonderful. 
The human brain itself can be moulded in in- 
fancy into any shape to suit the whim or taste 
of a “flat-heaa” or a “round-head” Indian. JMor 
is there a single mental or physical function in 
the human system, that may not be either im- 
proved or impaired by the good and bad influences 
which are bro^ught about to bear upon it. The 
science of physiology is a noble science. It 
enables cultivated reason to trace results — the 
products of animal life, such as flesh, fat, milk 
and wool, — back to their known causes and 
elements. 
I can hardly expect to give you an outline 
of the organization and woi kings of this com- 
plex vital machinery. There are, however, a 
fe V cardinal points in this matter, which I will 
endeavor to make clear and intelligible. One 
is, that no animal or plant can possibly trans- 
mute one simple elementary substance into an- 
other. If a hen can be fed on food quite desti- 
tute of lime, the organ of her system cannot 
form an egg-shell ; so if a child, call or colt be 
kept on food that lacks phosphate of lime, its 
bones will be soft and cartilaginous. No other 
minerals can be changed to lime and phosphorus. 
Animal fat is a compound made up of carbon, 
hydrogen and oxygen ; and no other simple ele- 
ments can possibly make it. Lean meat and 
wool contain the same elements, with the addi- 
tion of nitrogen, sulphur, and several other 
earthly ingredients in minute quantities. 
Knowing that no animal can create anew 
one particle of matter, and that each compound 
product has its peculiar consiitnent elements ; 
knowing also how much of those elements is 
contained in any article of food, we can judge of 
its fitness or unfitness to produce either bone, 
muscle, fat, milk, wool, or any other animal pro- 
duct. In other words, we can wisely adapt our 
means to our ends we have in view. 
Suppose a farmer had 100 hens in his poultry 
yard, and he desired them to lay as many and 
as perfect eggs as possible. Would it be an un- 
reasonable prescription to say to him that “you 
must feed them lioerally on food which contains ] 
nut only lime, but all the elements of the con- | 
tents of an egg-shell in a concentrated form?” — I 
Western Cuh.tvator. | 
Good advice to Farmers. 
Consider your calling the most elevated and 
important; never be ashamed, nor afraid of the 
old hat or the working close apron. Put off no 
business lor to morrow that can be done to-day. ] 
As soon as the spring opens and the frost is 
out of the ground, put your fences in order. 
Piant no more ground than you can well ma- 
nure and cultivate to advantage. 
Never hire a man to do a piece of work which 
you can do yourself. 
Every day has its appropriate duties— attend 
to them in succession. 
Keep no more stock than you can keep in 
good order, and that of the best kind. 
Never “run in debt” without a reasonable 
probability of paying at the time agreed. I 
Remember that economy and industry are the 
two great pillars of the farmer’s prosperity. 
Take some good family newspaper, and pay 
for it in advance. Also an agricultural paper. 
Never carry your notes in your pocket-book, 
for the.desk or trunk is a more appropriate place. 
Keep them on fi,eand in order, to be found j 
when wanted, i 
Never buy any thing at auction because the i 
article is goingcheap, unlessyou have use for it. | 
Keep a place lor your tools, and your tools in 
their places. 
Instead of spending a rainy day idle, repair 
whatever wants mending, or post your accounts. [ 
By driving your business before, and not per- ^ 
milting your business to drive you, you will 
ave opportunities to indulge in the luxury of 
h ell applied leisure. 
Never trust your money in the hands of that 
man w'ho will put his own at hazard. 
When interest or debt becomes due, pay it at 
the lime, whether }'Our creditor wants it or not. 
Never ask him to “wait till next week,” but 
pay it. Never insult him by saying “you do 
not want it.” Punctuality is a ke}' to every ' 
man’s chest. i 
By constant temperance, habitual moderate | 
exercise, and strict honesty, you will avoid the 
fees of the lawyer and the sheriff, gain a good 
report, and probably add to your present exis- 
tence years of active life. 
When a friend calls to see you, treat him 
with the utmost complaisance, but if important 
business calls your attention, politely excuse 
yourself. 
Should you think of building a house, be not 
in a hurry, but first have every material on the 
spot, and have your cellar as large as the frame. 
Keep a memorandum book — enter all notes, 
whether received or given — all moneys received | 
or paid out— all expenses— and all circumstan- | 
ces of importance. | 
In December reckon and settle with all those.! 
with R'hom you have accounts— pay your shop i 
bills and your mechanics, if not promptly done | 
at the time. j 
On the first of January reckon with yourself, | 
and reckon honestly — biing into view all debts j 
and credits, notes and accounts, i^scertain to! 
what amount your expenses were the last year, j 
and the loss and gain— make out a fair statement : 
and enter the whole in a book for the purpose. 
Having arrived at this important knowledge, 
you w'ill imitate the prudent traveller who al- 
ways keeps in view w'here he is next to move. 
You W’ill now look forward and calculate in 
what w'ay you shall best meet and prosecute the 
business of the ensuing season. 
And lastly, when the frost of winter .shall 
arrest your out-door labors, and the chilling 
blast shall storm your dwelling, let your fireside 
be for yourself and your wife, and vour children, 
the happiest spot on earth; and’ let ihe long 
evenings, as well as the short days, be appro- 
priated to the mutual preparations for that “ eter- 
nal spring,” which sooner or later shall open in 
all its freshness to those who have “ done justly, 
loved mercy, and walked humbly with God.” 
Importance of the Farmer. 
Itis too much the habit of inconsiderate young 
men to think lightly of a farmer’s life, and to 
prefer some more easy sedentary occupation, 
with the fallacious idea of appearing genteel in 
the eyes of the wt.rld. Official employment, a 
city life, large whi'kers, white and delicate 
hands, with a display of gaudy jewelry and 
costly attire, seem to be prevailing objects with 
these languishing youths whose vanity prompts 
them to believe that they are the most brilliant 
meteors ol fashion ; on whom the fair will glad- 
ly besiowtheirsmiles. The prevalence of these 
absurdities is an injury to society, and has done 
its lull share in contributing to the embarss- 
ment.; of the country. 
Man sprung from the earth, is supported by 
its products, and returns to its bosom again.— 
What then can be mure appropriate tl;an to de- 
vote all his faculties to its improvement ? Itis the 
farmer’s toil that preserves his health and vigor, 
gives strength and elasticity to his spirits, de- 
velopes more fully his mental energies, and 
makes him in reality one ol the noblest ol God’s 
creation — a real substantial man, vigorous in 
body as in mind. Though manual labor is too 
olten held in light estimation, there is dignity in 
all itsapplicatious, whendirected by intelligence 
to some uselul purpose. To cultivate the soil 
is an interesting pursuit ; to increase its products 
a profitable study; it exalts the mind, which 
wh ilst quietly contemplating the result of its oc- 
cupation, is lifted up with thankfulness to that 
Being who has ordained thatourlaborshail be so 
richly rewarded. 
The enlightened farmer is an ornament to so- 
ciety ; his path is open to prosperity, wealth and 
reputation, and he will always retain hissteady 
value. To fill the place to which he isjustly 
entitled, he should be well bred; it is the true 
test of excellence. What can be more worthy 
of respect than the venerable parents of a well 
bred family; their true worth cannot be overes- 
timated ; they have done their duty, and in the 
proud contemplation of a hardy and virtuous 
progeny’-, their earthly enjoyments are per- 
fect. 
How inferior is the value of the pompous ig- 
noramus, linked to some proud dame, and puff- 
ed up by his wealth and imaginary importance. 
He is never satisfied, but always craving for 
something beyond his reach ; for homage which 
is never paid; for respect which is never ac- 
corded. ■ When stiffly seamd in his gaudy equip- 
age he imagines himself a superior being, and 
glories in his arrogance and pride. He mingles 
in the fashionable throng; his finery and show 
attract the giddy gaze, and gives food for reflec- 
tion to the sensible and sedate, but he has no 
claim to the praise of good breedinz; his sons 
grow up to be dandies and coxcombs, and his 
daughters to be coquettes and prudes. Behold 
them in the streets! they are the laughing stock 
of all. Pursue them to the draw'ing room ; their 
self-approbation is the only suppoit for their 
imagined superiority Follow them to the 
g.'-ave; but few tears are shed to their memo- 
ry, and their mother earth covers them with 
shame, for the bad example Ihey have left to 
posterity. 
Mark the contrast of good and bad breeding, 
and the comparison will hold good throughout 
the animal creation. 
It is the noble faculty of reason, tvhich gives 
to man his worth, power and dominion, and it 
is by its aid, that he has produced the most won- 
derful physical developments in those aniraahs 
which are most necessary for his use ; improve- 
ments which alone place the farmer amongst the 
greatest benefactors of mankind. Through his 
perseverance, his ingenuity and his labor in pro- 
moting good breeding in the atiimals necessary 
for his subsistence,- and in bringing them to the 
highest state of perfection, the public welfare is 
subserved, and the farmer deserves to be regar- 
ded by all reflecting men, as one of the most 
impoiiant links in the chain ol huirian society, 
and the main pillar of the social edifice. 
Albany, N. Y.,1846. Wm. H. SoTHiM. 
