96 
THE SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 
From the Albany Cultivator. 
IMPROVE.MENT OF FARM STOCK. 
Messrs. Editors — The improveaient of farm 
stock can hardly be too Ireqaemly brought be- 
fore the mind of the agriculturist, and ofail who 
feel any interest in ihe prosperity of the country. 
No individual of any observation, whose atten- 
tion has been drawn to this subject, and who has 
had an opportunity of critically examining the 
quality and character ot the stock reared by a 
vast majority of farmers, can fail to be forcibly 
impressed with its importance to ihe nation, as 
a permanent, certain, and reliable means of 
largely increasing the aggregate wealth and re- 
sources of the whole country. 
It is believed that this subject may appropri- 
ately engage the attention of the merchant, the 
manufacturer, the statesman and the patriot, as 
■well as the farmer, when it is considered that 
agriculture is the foundation and the main source 
ofnational wealth, as it puts in motion, and im- 
parts life and energy to all other branches ofna- 
tional industry. Let the agricultural products 
of the country tail for a single year, and what ef- 
fect would it produce on all other interests 1 
The ships of the merchant would be found moor- 
ed and decaying at his wharf ; the manufacto- 
ries would cease to operate ; our noble canals 
would then indeed become a ^^soldary wilderness " 
and every branch ot industry would becomepara- 
lyzed. 
If, then, such vast interests are so intimately 
connected with a well-regulated, intelligent and 
prosperous husbandry, it may well be inquired 
whether improvement in farm stock, which is 
one of the principal items of the farmer’s wealth, 
is not important, and intimately connected with 
the general interests and prosperity of the coun- 
try I More particularly is it so to the farmer, 
and improvement must principally depend on 
his well-directed and persevering exertions. 
Each farmer should put the question directly to 
himself — “ Have I in my possession neat cattle 
which possess the greatest combination of ex- 
cellence, which are the most profitable for the 
dairy, which will mature early, and when no 
longer wanted for dairy purposes, will put on 
flesh with the least expense in feeding for the 
butcher? Have I the best sheep for fleece and 
carcass — the best breed of swine, those of quick 
growth and approved fattening qualities ?” And 
if, on investigation, he becomes satisfied he is 
deficient in one or all of this description of ani. 
mals, his own interest should at once stimulate 
him to spare no pains to procure such, no mat- 
ter if it be at extra-exertion, and a reasonable 
additional expense ; for what is an outlay of a 
few hundred dollars compared with the accumu- 
lated profits one may reasonably expect to derive 
in the period of a few years. Besides, there 
are other considerations of great interest that 
should not be lost sight of. It is well known 
that a great proportion of the labor and expense 
of the farmer is bestowed upon his grain and 
root crops ; and when those are well secured, it 
becomes a matter of interest to decide how they 
shall be disposed ot to the most profit. Perhaps 
a great proportion of farmers decide on feeding 
them to their stock to fatten them for their own 
consumption and for the butcher. If .stock can 
be raised, which will consume one-third or one- 
quarter less food than the ordinary or unimprov- 
ed stock ot the country, how important is it he 
should rear such stock 1 
This is no ordinary subject ; and there can 
scarcely be any just reason why it should not as 
deeply interest the agriculturists and arouse 
them to action, as does the improvement ot our 
home fabrics interest and engage the attention, 
zeal and persevering energies of the manufac- 
turers. Why do those who are engaged in this 
branch of inaustry devote so much time and 
means in perfecting labor-saving machines ? 
Why so much solicitude in regard to a discrim- 
inating protective tariff, and why do they invoke 
the aid and influence of the agriculturist, when- 
ever there is a proposition to modify the tarifi'in 
the slightest degree, and why is an appeal made 
to sustain this interest through pamphlets, hand- 
bills, and in the columns of almost every news- 
paper in the country, calling upon all classes to 
sustain this interest ? It is simply because they 
have the discernment to see that their interests 
are involved in this question, and that their 
prosperity is in jeopardy. This is a right spi- 
rit, when so restrained and directed as not to in- 
fringe upon or injure other equally important 
interests. Now, until something like the same 
spirit which so extensively pervades the minds 
of those who are engaged in manulacturing, is 
infused into the minds of the practical agricul- 
turists, improvement ^ farm stock will be of 
slow growuh, and no permanent beneficial re- 
sults can reasonably be expected. The agri- 
culturists of England understood well their true 
interests in this branch of husbandry, and they 
have extensively encouraged the breeding of su- 
perior stock, and for the last fitly years or more, 
have, by unwearied attention and perseverance, 
brought up their stock to a point of perfection 
which is unrivalled by that of any other country, 
and which has largely contributed to sw’ell the 
wealth of that nation. This improvement has 
increased their commerce ; their stock has at- 
tracted the attention ot other countries, and ex- 
portations to a considerable extent are annually 
made, and at high prices. The writer of this 
article recently wrote to a distinguished breeder 
of England to be inlormed w'hat he would charge 
for one of his best Durham heifers to be shipped 
this spring, and he replied that his price for one 
about two years old, would be two hundred, and 
for another one about three years old, would be 
three hundred guineas. This fact is stated 
merely to show the value they put upon improv- 
ed stock. 
There have been imported into this country a 
variety of the very best improved breeds of ani- 
mals from England, at considerable risk and ex- 
pense, to propagate and to improve our native 
stock. Thus a foundation has been laid, which, 
ifduly appreciated by those most deeply interest- 
ed, very favorable results may justly be expect- 
ed. Who has attended our State and County 
Fairs for three years past, and has not had his 
admiration excited by the fine display of the no- 
ble Durhams, Herefords and Devon cattle, as 
well as the fine sheep and swine which have 
graced their exhibitions and done so much hon- 
or to their owners. This stock has justly eli- 
cited the approval of the several vie rting com- 
mittees appointed as judges, and they have very 
properly awarded them the highest premiums 
of the several societies ; and it is exceedingly to 
be regretted that the matter should rest here. If 
the owners of those improved breeds of animals 
should have one or more which they could dis- 
pose of, to those whose interest it is to purchase 
them, if any offer is made for them it would 
hardly be sufficient to pay the freight on a sin- 
gle animal across the Atlantic. Is this a right 
spirit? Will such apathy and disregard of in- 
terest, on a subject which is so intimately con- 
nected with the great agricultural interests, pro- 
mote improvement, or will it not produce a de- 
cidedly contrary effect, and discourage those 
who now take an interest in the subject, and 
who are willing to devote some time and their 
resources, to carry forward improvement 1 It 
is to be hoped that a better spirit will soon pre- 
vail, and that that attention will be given to the 
subject, which, from its importance, it is justly 
entitled to. The Fair of the New York State 
Agricultural Society is to be held at Poughkeep- 
sie in September. T'he location selected for it 
is a good one, and affords great facilities for 
transporting stock. The premiums offered on . 
stock are of sufficient magnitude to induce own- 
ers of good stock to exhibit it, and doubtless there 
will be a display of fine improved animals 
which will far surpass that of any other exhibi- 
tion which has ever occurred in this country. 
The concourse of people which will there as- 
semble, will doubtless be very great, not only 
from this but from other States, and if a right 
spirit is evinced by those whose interest it is to 
possess good stock, a new impulse will be given 
to this branch of husbandry which may, in a 
few years, produce great improvement, and even- 
tually laise the quality of our stock to a point of 
perfection equal to that oi England. These 
thoughts are thrown out in the hope that the sub- 
ject may engage the attention of others previous 
to the Fair in September. C. 
Rensselcer County, April 25, 1844. 
Sheep in the British Isles. — These ex' 
ceed thirty millions in number, which is ten 
millions more than we have in the United 
States ; and yet how small their territory com- 
pared with ours. 
COUTEHTS OF THIS HUMBER. 
Dana’s Prize Essay on Manures, 89 
Industry, 90 
Of the average quantity of Butter yielded by 
Milk and Cream, and of the yearly produce 
of a Cow, 90 
Close Planting of Corn, 91 
Improvement of Clay Soils, 9i 
The Physical Education of Woman, 92 
Whitewash and Paint— Brilliant White- 
wash, 92 
Small Farms, 93 
Cattle Distemper,....' 93 
Green and Dry Wood, 93 
Things that 1 have seen, 93 
Clover, Herds-grass and Timothy, 93 
The Cow-Pea, Peach, &c., 94 
Editorials, &c., 95 
Salting Horses, 95 
Agricultural Meeting, 95 
Emigration, 95 
Improvement of Farm Stock, 96 
TURNEP SEED. 
A SUPPLY of the following varie- 
ties of fresh TURNEP SEED just receiv- 
ed, viz: 
Yellow Sweedish or Ruta Baga, very fine for 
stock. 
Large Globe Turnep, ") Fine 
“ Vi hite Flat do. ( for 
“ Hanover or White Ruta Baga do ( table 
“ Norfolk do. J use. 
For sale in quantities to suit purchasers, by 
Aug. 30 18-tf WM. HAINES, Jh. 
GARDEN AND FIELD SEED. 
A GENERAL assortment of fresh 
and genuine GARDEN and FIELD 
SEED, among which are the following; 
Red and White Clover, 
Blue and Green Grass, 
Rye and Orchard do., 
Timothy and Herds do.. 
Millet and Lucerne do., 
Seed Corn of every valuable variety, 
Seed Wheat, 
Buckwheat and Potato Oats, 
Kept constantly on hand by the subscriber, all of 
which are offered for sale at very moderate prices. 
All orders, by mail or otherwise, executed with 
neatness and despatch. 
WM. HAINES, Jk., 
No. 232 Broad street, Augusta, Ga. 
August 30. 18-tf 
THE SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR 
IS PUBLISilED BY 
J. W. & W. S. JONES, 
And will be issued every other Wednesday 
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All subscriptions to commence with the vol- 
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