174 
THE SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 
Barbour Coanty, ot which he was a member, 
and cause the same to be published in the 
Southern Cultivator. 
J. Watkins, President. 
J. Green, Corresponding Secretary. 
Agricultural Meeting in Harris County. 
Pursuant to notice, the Farmers’ of Plarris 
county, some few excepted, met in Hamilton , 
on the” first Tuesday inst., lor the purpose of 
forming an Agricultural Society. 
M. J. Cravvtord, Esq., was called to the chair, 
and G. A. B. Slozisr to act as Secretary. Af- 
ter an announcement, from the chair, of the ob- 
ject ot the meeting, accompanied by a very 
handsome address which did honor to his intel- 
ligent head and patriotic heart, which first mov- 
ed, we believe, in this worthy object. James 
N. Ramsay, Esq , sustained his well deserved 
reputation as a speaker, ready-minded en all 
occasions, in a forcible speech on the sub- 
ject ot the meeting; followed by Mr. Baker in 
a chaste and beautiful speech, who was also 
followed by Dr. Bedell and others, and indeed 
it was a revival lime. Old Harris is sometimes 
hard to move, but when she does come forth her 
strides are those of a siant. She has heard of 
what others are doing, and, peculiarly sensitive 
in reference to her own importance, has deter- 
mined to “ take the field.” 
A committee, consisting ot Branch Ligon, 
Robert Simpson, Benjamin Henry, John Mc- 
Geheo and Seaborn Whatley, were appointed 
to report suitable persons for President and six 
Vice-Presidents, who retiring, returned for 
President, Charlei Kenon. 
For Vice-Presidents, M.J Crawford, Toliver ; 
Jones, George H. Bryant, F. M. Trammel, 
Thomas A. Williams, John White. 
For Secretaries, G. A. B. Slozier, James N. 
Ramsay, 
Which report the meeting accepted, subject, 
however, to the next meetings dispo sal, and to 
the provisions of a Constitution, for the drafting 
of which, on motion, the chair appointed a com- 
mittee of seven, to wit; James N. Ramsay, 
James R. Henderson, John McGehee, Henry 
H. Liowe, Henry E. Moss, Branch Ligon and 
John Brooks. 
Resolved, That the proceedings be published 
in the Columbus papers and Southern Culti- 
vator. 
Adjourned to the first Tuesday in November. 
M. J. Craavford, President. 
G. A. B. Slozier, Secretary. 
Harris County, October Q, 1846. 
Agricultural .Meeting iu Gwinnett. 
Lawrenceville, Ga.. Oct. Gth, 1846. 
Pursuant to previous notice a very respecta- 
ble portion ofthe citizens ofGwinnett County, 
met at the court house for the purpose of forming 
an Agricultural and Horticultural Society. On 
motion, IV. Thomas W .^Alexander, was called 
to the Chair, and Z . Norton request^ to act as 
Secretary : 
James P. Simmons, Esq., being so requested, 
explained the object of the meeting in a lew ap- 
propriate remarks. Whereupon, on motion of 
j. R. Alexander, Esq., a Committee was ap- 
pointed to prepare and report to the meeting a 
Constitution for the Government of such socie- 
ty. That Committee was appointed by the 
chair, who retired a short time, and on their re- 
turn reported a Constitution which was taken up 
by the meeting, read by sections and with some 
amendments unanimously adopted. 
The Constitution was then subscribed by a 
large portion of those present. 
The Society then proceeded to elect its offi- 
cers tor the first year. Whereupon, Dr. T. W, 
Alexander was elected President, John A. 
Born, first, and Madison R. Mitchel, second Vice 
President, James P. Simmons Secretary, and 
William Knox Treasurer. 
The President then, on motion, appointed a 
Committee, consisting ofj. R. Alexander, J. P. 
Simmons, Vivian Holmes, D. W. Spencer, 
Burton Cloud, Esqs., with instructions to deter- 
mine upon what premiums shall be offered at 
the first annual Fair, and report thesametoa 
meeting of the society to be held at this place on 
the first Tuesday in November next. 
The Society by resolution then requested that 
the proceedings of this meeting be published in 
the Southern Cultivator. 
Thos. W. Alexander, Chairman. 
Z. Norton, Secretary. 
The Southern Banner and Southern Whig 
are requested to copy. 
From the Farmers’ Cabinet. 
Manures for Grape Vines and Fruit Trees. 
Mr. Editor: — A few words if you please on 
this subject. I am very much disposed to be 
economical in the use of whatever means I em- 
ploy lor the advancement ot wealth and com- 
fort. I dislike, particularly, to see our farmers 
and horticulturists purchase high-priced and 
scarce fertilizers, when by using materials 
which are lying about them, and sometimes go- 
ing to waste, they mignt save the cost of their 
manures, while their crops might not be dimin- 
ished. This fault, as I consider it, is particu- 
larly chargeable upon what are called “book 
farmers,” or those who read agricultural publi- 
cations, Many of them commence farming 
with abundant resources, and by throwing a way 
their money for costly fertilizers, and neglecting 
the means they ha ve on hand, which would cost 
them comparatively nothing, they waste their 
capital, get into debt, and finally are obliged to 
give up farming w'ith injury to themselves and 
disgrace to scientific agriculture. This should 
not be. Many farmers have mines of wealth 
upon their plantations which they never take 
pains to develope, and, indeed, which they often 
consider a nuisance. 
But to our subject. Grape vines and fruit 
trees do not need stable manure, nor any other 
manure prepared by animals. The best ma- 
nures for them are such as have no more nitro- 
gen than is contained in common vegetable mat- 
ter. Therefore nothing is better lor them than 
plain rotten wood, hay, sawdust, leaves, chips, 
shavings, straw, or swamp muck. The.se, to- 
gether with lime and ashes — even leached ash- 
es, and anthracite and bituminous coal ashes — 
w'ill make vines and fru it trees grow large, 
healthy and highly productive. These manures 
cost little, can be had almost anywhere, and 
may be applied at any time. 
'f'hose living in the neighborhood of a saw’- 
mill, have a fine opportunitv of getting a cheap 
and highlv useful article. The sawdust of hard 
woods, particularly oak and hickory, is the very 
best manure for grape vines and fruit trees that 
can be obtained. Scattered over the surface of 
the ground under the vine or tree, with a due 
proportion of alkaline substances, it has a most 
charming effect upon the productiveness of it, 
A swamp hole upon a farm mrghtbe made al- 
most as valuable as a gold mine. The mud ta- 
ken out in the fall, and compost made of it with 
lime, ashes, finely powdered charcoal and plas- 
ter, and let lie till spring, with an occasional 
turning over during the winter, will make a ma- 
nure cheaper and belter than nitrate of potash 
and many other costly fertilizers. Dugorplow- 
ed in among the roots of vines and fruittree.s, 
or even scattered over the surface and under the 
plants, it would have a very beneficial effect 
upon the prospects of the fruit raiser. When 
these cannot be obtained, rotten straw, hay, 
chips, shavings or leaves, are better than more 
costly substances. 
Therefore when farmers or horticulturists 
h ve a swamp, w'hence they may procure 
swamp mucic, or live near a sawmill where 
they can obtain the sawdust, and neglect to use 
these articles, but instead of this, send hund.reds 
of miles for guano, nitrate ot potash, silicate of 
potash, and o’her costly materials, we should 
not at all be astonished at numeious failures 
among them, and the poverty which annoys and 
hampers them at every turn, if they alone 
were the lo.sers, 1 should not so much complain, 
for I should consider their suffering and loss as 
a punishment for their folly ; but they retard 
the course of scientific agriculture, and by that 
means check the progress of mankind in know- 
ledge and happiness. 
Excuse this complaining, Mr. Editor, as it is 
designed for good, and for that only. 
Chemico. 
From the Ohio Cultivator. 
Agricultural College at Mount Airy. 
We informed our readers, some time since, of 
the announcement in the Philadelphia and oth- 
er papers, that Mr. Gowen, of Mount Airy, 
near Philadelphia had purchased the Mount 
Airy College property adjoining his fine estate, 
with the view to the establishment of an insti- 
tution for the instruction of youth, in theoreti- 
cal and practical agriculture, including horti- 
culture, upon the most approved principles of 
enlightened experience and rational science. 
The deep interest we feel in the advancement 
of these great and interesting pursuits led us to 
make inquiry of Mr. Gowen respecting the 
prospect there was of such a noble enterprise 
being commenced, and we are happy to inform, 
our readers that there is a fair prospect of the 
institution being opened next spring, should 
proper encouragement be afforded, and the 
health of Mr, Gowen, which for some time past 
has been delicaie, permit him to bestow such 
personal supervision as would be required from 
his position as patron of the institution. 
We cannot but regard one of the contingen- 
cies on which the opening ofthe college depends, 
as not very serious, namely, the assurance of 
sufficient patronage; for what farmer of the 
West, or planter of the South, is there who 
would not rejoice at an opportunity ot having 
a son educated at a college where, in addition 
to a scholastic education befitting a gentleman, 
he would be qualified for conducting, in the 
most efficient and ecot omical plan, every spe- 
cies of agricultural husbandry 1 The state of 
Mr. Gowen’s health, we think, is more to be 
feared as interfering with his noble design than 
the want of patronage; but we are happy to 
learn that a marked improvement in his health 
has taken place within a short lime, and that 
there is a lair prospect of its complete restora- 
tion. 
In relation to the plan of this Agricultural 
College, Mr. Gowen informs us that all the de- 
tails have not yet been determined on; but his 
design is to employ the ablest talent in the coun- 
try as professors, and to make the course of 
academic instructions as liberal as that of any 
colleges in our land, for those who choose to 
avail themselves of a thorough classical educa- 
tion; while the students will be thoroughly 
grounded in practical mathematics, mechanics, 
natural philosophy, &c., and withal imbued 
with a love of Rural Life, and habituated in 
mind and body to its delightful pursuits. 
ThS graduate of this college will not be the 
sickly and attenuated Book Worm merrly, but 
the vigorous and intelligent Country Gentleman. 
Who is there that has given the least attention 
to the subject, is not convinced of the impera- 
tive necessity that exists for a radical reform in 
our systems of college educationl And w'ho 
is there that wishes well of his race and his 
counlrv, that dees not say God speed to this 
praiseworthy effort at the commencement of 
such a reform? We shall hail the opening of 
the Mount Airy College as an auspicious era 
in the history of our country, and the harbingef 
of great good, especially to the cause of agri- 
culture. 
We could say much more in favor of this 
glorious opening for the rising generation, and 
especially of the admirable fitness of the man 
and the place for the proposed institution; but 
we forbear for the present. In the meantime, 
we submit the matter tor the consideration of 
parents w’ho value the health, happiness and 
prosperity of their sons; and, also, to young 
men of spirit and enterprise, who wish to be- 
come thoroughly fitted for a position among the 
real nobiliiy of our land. We should be grati- 
