228 
editor’s table. 
(Siritor’0 Sable. 
Transactions of the New Yoric State Agri¬ 
cultural Society, together with an Abstract of the 
Proceedings of the County Agricultural Societies, and 
the American Institute. Yol. iv., 1844, pp. 523. We 
have not had time as yet to give anything more than 
a cursory look over this volume of the Transactions*; 
but have read enough to say, that they are made up 
this year with less dry and unnecessary matter, than 
those of preceding years. In this respect the present 
volume is much superior to its predecessors ; but in ac¬ 
cording thus much, we must add, that the articles gene¬ 
rally, are not as racy nor as able. Too many of 
them, in whole or in part, have previously appeared 
in the periodicals of the day, and the State Society 
has the poor honor only left to it of reprinting them. 
This we consider disgraceful, and unworthy the So¬ 
ciety, and it should be put a stop to in all future publica¬ 
tions. It is a strict rule with the English, and we be¬ 
lieve with all other respectable foreign Agricultural 
Societies, to exact an assurance from all contributors 
to their Journals and Transactions, that the matter is 
not only original, but that it has not before appeared in 
print. This rule should be immediately adopted by 
the N. Y. State Society. Another thing, we notice 
that all its cuts are BORROWED ! Is the Society 
so poor, with over $4,000 surplus funds in its treasury, 
that it cannot pay for something original in the way of 
embellishments ? We think this is just as disgraceful 
as reprinting old matter , revamped to stuff a portly 
volume. In setting up the matter, uniformity should 
be preserved, and the whole leaded or made solid. 
The typographical errors are numerous, and so palpa¬ 
bly gross at times, that they will lead the reader who 
knows no better, into sad mistakes. Such publications 
as these are usually looked up to as authority ; it is 
the duty, then, of those who superintend the printing 
to see it correctly done. We are thus candid in our 
observations on the Transactions, from a sense of duty 
to the members at large, and we mean nothing in 
onr tone disrespectful to the officers of the Society. 
Any reasonable amount of original matter can be easily- 
obtained, than why not get it? We would recom¬ 
mend as one means, that liberal premiums be offered 
for essays on the agriculture of the different coun¬ 
ties, after the manner of the Agricultural Societies in 
Great Britain, taking five to ten counties each year. 
In this way, the particular agriculture of the State 
would be ably reported, and a large mass of highly use¬ 
ful matter collected, which would elicit considerable 
laudable rivalry, and great improvements necessarily 
follow. We would make the prizes sufficiently high 
to command the best talent in writing these essays, 
and when, one was not sufficiently deserving, reject it, 
and repeat the premium. In our humble judgment 
there is nothing so valuable in British agricultural 
literature, as the County Prize Essays recently pub¬ 
lished in the journals of that kingdom. 
The Dog and the Sportsman: Embracing the 
Uses, Breeding, Training, Diseases, &c., of Dogs, and 
an account of the different kinds of Game, with their 
Habits. Also hints to Shooters, with various useful 
recipes. By J. S. Skinner. With illustrations, pp. 
224. Lea & Blanchard, Philadelphia. Price 80 cents. 
The above is a pleasing and useful work, written by 
a hearty lover of the canine species ; but we regret to 
say, that the author has not gone far enough, and treat¬ 
ed the subject in too limited a manner; confining 
himself mainly to an account of some half dozen 
breeds, leaving out nearly all that are indigenous to 
our country. We have never seen a complete work 
on dogs, although we are familiar with pretty much 
all published on them in Europe and elsewhere; and 
we must confess, notwithstanding considerable ability 
has been displayed in these, that the history of doge 
has yet to be written. The first animal we evei 
owned was a puppy, and wherever we could keep 
them, we have had a troop of dogs running at oui 
heels. Many extraordinary things have we witnessed 
of their sagacity, which we would transcribe with 
great pleasure for any one who would promise to 
write a complete history of this noble and affection¬ 
ate animal. The illustrations of Mr. Skinner’s work 
are very spirited and faithful, and do great credit to 
the artist who sketched them. He must have been a 
dog fancier, or he could not have drawn them so well. 
The Fruit and Fruit Trees of America; or 
the Culture, Propagation, and Management, in thr 
Garden and Orchard, of Fruit Trees generally; witl- 
descriptions of all the finest varieties of Fruit, natm 
and foreign, cultivated in this country. By J. A 
Downing. Illustrated with numerous engravings 
Wiley & Putnam, New York and London, pp. 594 
At length we have the gratification of announcing 
this long expected work, and from a perusal of it, we 
can say, that nothing compared with it on the subject 
of Pomology has yet been published in the United 
States. The author gave us reason to hope that this 
work would have been issued sixteen months ago, 
but in our last visit at his beautiful residence in New 
burgh, we found him so desirous to make it as perfect 
as possible, and worthy the entire confidence of the 
public, that he should go through twice the labor in 
preparing it that he at first anticipated, and hence th« 
long delay. This will unquestionably be much to its 
advantage,and we prophesy that “The Fruits and Fruit 
Trees of America” will now become the standard po 
mological work of this country; for the great car# 
which Mr. Downing has bestowed on the different 
kinds, arranging and connecting numberless syno- 
nymes, and giving accurate outlines and descriptions 
will make it as safe a guide as it is possible to get up 
The culture of fruit is no longer a matter of pleasure 
and luxury with us, but one now of necessity for food 
of man and beast; indeed, it has become of vast 
national importance. A finer climate for fruit, or 
more productive soil than the United States, does not 
exist. Our apples are well known in the West In¬ 
dies, and nearly every country in Europe, and the ex¬ 
portation of them abroad is rapidly becoming a very 
important business. Then the home consumption of 
all kinds of fruit is enormous. The author of the 
work under notice states, that there are more peaches 
exposed in the market of New York, than are raised 
in all France. The style of Mr. Downing is lively, 
clear, and perspicuous. The publishers have got up 
the work very handsomely, issuing two editions—the 
one large 8vo., uniform with Landscape Gardening 
and Cottage Residences, price $2.50; the other 12mo , 
price $1.75. We anticipa te for these editions a large sale. 
The Chemistry of Vegetable and Animal 
Physiology, by Dr. G. J. Mulder. —We have No.2 
of this able work on our table, from the press of Wi¬ 
ley & Putnam. 161 Broadway. Price 25 cents. 
The Exploring Expedition. Four volumes of 
the cheap edition of this valuable work are now is 
sued from the press of Lea & Blanchard, Philadelphia. 
We have some valuable selections from it on agricul¬ 
ture in type, with an illustration; but the crowded 
state of our columns has prevented its being made up 
the present month. For a more particular notice, see 
our last number. 
Downing’s Cottage Residences. Wiley & Put¬ 
nam have sent us the Second Edition of this ele¬ 
gant and useful work. We have heretofore noticed 
this and the first edition at length;and can only add, 
that before building, every country gentleman should 
consult it. 
