THE CULTIVATOR. 
99 
should be supported by the yeomanry, and all persons con¬ 
nected with agriculture; and the proposed committee, whose 
duty it would be to prepare estimates, and lay them before 
a general meeting, contained a preponderant number of yeo¬ 
men, being formed of twenty-five yeomen, fifteen other 
persons, five magistrates and five clergymen. At present 
the subscription list had been confined to Kent; but if it 
were desirable, many other, gentlemen were anxious to sup¬ 
port the proposed institution.” 
We ask of the reader an attentive perusal of the preced¬ 
ing extracts, and particularly those who wish to have sons 
educated in the principles and practice of an enlighten¬ 
ed and improved agriculture. The subject is one of 
common interest to every class of the community; and 
although the sentiments here expressed come from 
“ the men of Kent,” they nevertheless have a general 
application, and are especially suited to our condition. 
And we beg our leading men to note the interest which 
is evinced in Britain by earls, dukes, bishops, lords, and 
baronets, in promoting the greatest interest of their 
country—its agriculture; and to ask themselves, if 
those men do not, by these noble acts, deserve more re¬ 
spect and more honor, than for the titles which they bear. 
We too have eminent men, who might be equally use¬ 
ful—we have our earls, dukes and lords, if not in name, 
at least in wealth, talent and influence, who might, if 
they would, give an impulse to agricultural education, 
which would speedily change and improve the intel¬ 
lectual, agricultural and social condition of our country, 
and render them a blessing to future ages. And since 
it has become fashionable abroad for great men, and 
the governments, to interest themselves in these matters, 
we hope to see the fashion followed here. It is almost 
the only fashion which we can adopt from Europe, that 
is suited to our republican institutions; and there is 
none which so eminently combines the dulce with the 
utile —the sweet with the useful. 
The efforts to improve the condition of the agricul¬ 
ture of Europe, by imparting scientific as well as the 
best practical instruction to the young agriculturist, 
have generally emanated from, and have in all cases 
been ably seconded by the higher orders of society—by 
men of science, property and influence, and generally 
aided by the governments. These men all look to the 
soil, as we ought to view it here, as the great source of 
national and individual wealth; and that every advance 
which is made in its improvement adds to the means of 
their happiness. Land and labor are the great sources 
of public and private wealth. The more fertility we 
impart to the one, and the more intelligence we infuse 
into the other, the greater will be the return they make, 
and the greater our means of wealth and power. For 
it is wealth, rightly employed, that procures for us the 
substantial enjoyments of life, and that renders us inde¬ 
pendent, either as individuals or as a nation. Yet it is 
not a very Tew rich men, nor a very few wise men, be 
the aggregate of wealth and talent ever so great, that 
give prosperity and greatness to a nation. It is the ge¬ 
neral diffusion, among a whole people, among the rank 
and file of society, of property and knowledge, and the 
industry, enterprise, and independence which they be¬ 
get, that renders a state truly respectable and great. 
The character and power of a state depend much upon 
the knowledge and virtue of the sovereign. The people 
are here sovereigns; and if we would foster and pre¬ 
serve our civil institutions, we must fit these sovereigns 
for the high duties which are allotted to them. Let us 
then endeavor to impart to their labors the light and life 
of science, and the stimuli of distinction and reward. 
How much more the appellation of great and good— 
how much more honorable and enduring the fame,— 
of those who concentrate their efforts and influence in 
promoting the welfare of a community—of a whole com¬ 
munity—in endeavoring to multiply, permanently, the 
comforts, the virtues (for industry is not only a virtue, 
but the parent of many virtues)—and the happiness of 
the human family—than of those who concentrate their 
effoi'ts in party strife,—who strive to keep down their 
fellows, and to riot upon the fruits of other’s industry. 
Change of Food. 
There seems to be a natural disposition in man, in 
the brute, and in the vegetable, to a change or alterna¬ 
tion of food, alike conducive to the gratification of the 
appetite and the promotion of health. 
This propensity in man is apparent to all. That a 
change is conducive to health, is evidenced by the fact, 
that persons long confined to the same diet are much 
more liable to disease, than those who indulge in a 
variety. This is seen in long voyages, and in the army, 
where men subsist daily upon the same rations. If 
there is any exception to the rule, it is where the food 
is of the simplest kind, as the brose of the Scotch, the 
potatoes of the Irish, or the rice of the people of the 
tropics. 
The general principle being admitted, or that even a 
change is not prejudicial to health, how important is it 
to our comfort, and economical in regard to expense, to 
multiply around us the fruits, vegetables, &c. which are 
the subjects of garden and field, culture; and to select 
for this purpose the best varieties; and these are un¬ 
dergoing constant increase and improvement, by means 
of culture and fecundation. Every season brings to our 
notice new species and new varieties, particularly in 
garden productions, favorable alike to health and to in¬ 
nocent gratification. The tomato and the rhubarb, both 
of recent introduction to our gardens, are of this cha¬ 
racter. 
“ By means of new varieties,” says Bishop, “ the produce 
of our gardens and fields are not only increased in a ten fold 
degree, but the quality of the produce is increased in a still 
greater proportion, and the difference between varieties that 
have sprung from the same species, fit them for different pur¬ 
poses, different soils, situations and climates. Thus in edi¬ 
ble plants and fruits, we are supplied with an agreeable 
change throughout the year, from a difference in varieties 
that have sprung from the same species. Nothing is more 
obvious, upon comparing original species with their varie¬ 
ties produced by culture, than that we, by means of the lat¬ 
ter, enjoy a vegetable food far preferable to that of our fore¬ 
fathers ; and as it is probably beyond the power of man, of 
cultivation, or of time, to determine the degree of excellence 
attainable by varieties over the species whence they have 
sprung, and as that degree is unknown, we are justified in 
regarding it as progressive, and to consider the production of 
a good variety as the sign or harbinger of a better.” 
The disposition of animals to change their food, is 
evidenced by their habits, and their disposition to pluck 
a variety of herbage, and to select that which is new to 
them. That a change is conducive, and indeed indis¬ 
pensable to health, has been proved by repeated expe¬ 
riments. Dogs and other animals, who have been con¬ 
fined to one kind of food, although of a kind naturally 
suited to their wants, have sickened and died. Sinclair 
cites a case of the effects of two adjoining pastures,— 
one containing only white clover, and a patch of orchard 
grass—and the other stocked with five or six kinds of 
grass, and among them the orchard grass. In the first, 
the sheep resorted for a change, to the orchard grass, 
which they ate to the stump, culms and all; and some 
time after this was exhausted, many of the sheep be¬ 
came affected with the red water, and some of them 
died. In the adjoining pasture, in which there were 
six or eight species of grass, the sheep were wholly ex¬ 
empt from disease. But Sinclair demonstrated by accu¬ 
rate experiment, that a multiplicity of grasses sown to¬ 
gether, not only contribute to the health and thrift of 
the animals depastured upon it, but that the product 
was greater, considerably, and exceeded that of the best 
old pasture grounds. From these facts Sinclair and 
others argue, that we ought, in stocking down our 
grounds, to avail ourselves of all the grasses that we 
can procure, and that our soil will nourish. Groom ob¬ 
serves, that out of more than 200 grasses suitable to 
England, only one genus, the rye-grass, has as yet re¬ 
ceived general culture; and that of 60 species of clover, 
only three or four have received attention. The pre¬ 
sumption is, that many indigenous grasses, which have 
hitherto escaped the notice of our farmers, would be 
improved by culture to as great an extent as the wild 
carrot, parsnip, cabbage, potato, apple, plum, peach, &c. 
That the vegetable is improved by a change of food, 
is not only evidenced by the natural law of alternation, 
witnessed in forests and in cultivated grounds, but by 
the improvement which takes place from a change of 
seed. It has become a well established principle, that 
a change of seeds, from one soil, and from one district 
to another, is highly advantageous. We have had this 
particularly verified in the potato, where foreign seed, 
of like variety and size as that raised on our farm, pro¬ 
duced in the same field, one-third the largest crop. 
Growing from the same seed, without change, seems to 
be a sort of vegetable breeding in-and-in. The proge¬ 
ny seems to deteriorate in both cases, aud ultimately to 
become worthless. Upon these principles we should 
not only recommend an alternation of crops, but a fre¬ 
quent change of seed, to ensure a healthy vegetable 
constitution and vigorous growth. 
Geological Report. 
We come now, in our examination of the third geolo¬ 
gical report, to the communication of Professor Em¬ 
mons, of the second geological district, embracing the 
northern portion of the state. 
“ Considering agriculture,” the Professor correctly re¬ 
marks, “ of the first importance to a state or community, we 
are gratified with every discovery which favors its prosecu¬ 
tion and increases its products and profits. 
“ Next in importance are those which increase the quanti¬ 
ty of the raw materials for the use of the arts, the manufac¬ 
turing of which employs directly or indirectly a large portion 
of the human family. Upon the abundant and cheap sup¬ 
ply of those materials, much depends for the prosecution 
of the great system of internal improvements, the profits and 
success of which are, in a great degree, dependent on the 
geological surveys now m progress. 
“ Last, though not the least in importance, are those disco¬ 
veries of a scientific nature, which form the data on which 
natural phenomena are explained, and which constitute the 
basis on which may be founded the early history of the 
earth.” 
Porcelain clay , and feldspar, which are essential ma-, 
terials in all the finer kinds of pottery, or what is usual¬ 
ly termed China ware, or porcelain, are found in this 
district; the porcelain clay in Athol and Johnsburgh, 
in Warren, and in Minerva, in Essex. The Professor 
expresses a high opinion of the quality of this clay, and 
his opinion seems to have been confirmed by Mr. Hen¬ 
derson, of Jersey city, an able artist, and a manufactur¬ 
er of Liverpool ware. 
Marble of different kinds and qualities is found in the 
second district. We extract the notice of the remarka¬ 
ble quarry at Glen’s-Falls. 
“ One of the most valuable quarries which has been open¬ 
ed is at Glen’s-Falls. Nature at this place has exposed the 
■ strata in such a way that the whole thickness of the lime¬ 
stone can be examined without the labor of artificial or ex¬ 
pensive mining. The river has cut into the rock to the 
depth of at least 70 feet. 
‘ 1 The marble is extensively manufactured by two enter¬ 
prising companies; it is therefore favorably known to the 
public, and has acquired a high reputation. For this reason 
it would be superfluous for me to give a particular account 
of its qualities. I take the liberty, however, to subjoin a 
letter which I have recently received from the agent of the 
Glen’s-Falls company, in relation to the position of the mar¬ 
ble in the quarry, and also of the quantity which has been 
manufactured, &c. 
“The Hudson river at Glen’s-Falls has worn a passage 
through the limerock to a vast depth, rising in some places 
seventy feet from its surface. The strata measure from 
one inch to ten feet. A short distance from the river, 
on the Saratoga side, lying on limestone, is found black 
slate. Succeeding this are found strata of marble; slabs 
have been sawed and used for fire-places. It is sound, 
and of good colour. Succeeding this on both sides of the 
river, are found fifty strata of limestone, composed in part of 
organic remains. Next in succession are found strata of 
gray marble, two and a half feet thick; it receives a fine po- 
ish, but the colour is not admired. A stratum of darker co¬ 
lour follows this which is six inches thick, though valuable 
only for stepstones. Then follows the black marble, which 
for brilliancy of polish and beauty of colour, perhaps, has no 
rival. The whole stratum is ten and a half feet thick. 
Veins of organic remains run at irregular distances from each 
other through the strata; these veins are from two to four 
inches thick, running ten and sometimes twenty feet, break 
off abruptly. Where these veins do occur, though they are 
not numerous, they rather mar the beauty of the marble. 
Who first discovered this marble is not known, and it is of 
little consequence to inquire. Numerous attempts were 
made to work it, but without profit, until the present com¬ 
pany received it. 
“The following exhibits the amount of stone which the 
Glen’s-Falls company have prepared and sent to market dur¬ 
ing the last four years. The company run sixteen gang of 
saws, which are equal to about one hundred and sixty single 
saws. 
In 1835,. 2,157 feet, or 32,000 lbs. 
1836, . 19,800 “ 278,500 “ 
1837, . 23,400 “ 333,900 “ 
1838, . 25,000 “ 352,500 “ 
“ It is remarked farther by Mr. Roberts, the agent of this 
company, that the Glen’s-Falls marble has gained a good re¬ 
putation with most of the workers of marble in New-Yorlt, 
Boston and Philadelphia, as it regards its colour, the polish 
which it receives, and the ease with which it works; and 
that it is considered equal to any of the kind in this country. 
“ He states that they have got out shelves for mantles 
seven feet and six inches long, thirteen inches wide and one 
and a quarter thick, which sells for sixty-live cents per foot. 
The price for this kind of stuff’ has fallen, and at the present 
is worth from fifty to fifty-five cents per foot; that which is 
shorter, from thirty to forty.” 
“ There are some considerations in relation to the marble 
business, which are necessary to be understood by those 
who are disposed to engage in it. 
“1. The expenses of opening the quarry. 
“2. The soundness of the layers which it is proposed to 
work. 
“ 3. Their freedom from hard or flinty particles or masses, 
as quartz, hornstone, &c. 
“4, A sufficient thickness in the several layers composing 
the bed; for unless there are a number of layers of sufficient 
thickness to work in juxtaposition, it will be necessary to re¬ 
move a great mass of useless material. Small defects, such 
as checks, seams or cracks, or imbedded masses of flint, re¬ 
duce the value of any piece materially. It is necessary 
therefore that there should be a general freedom from all the 
above defects, in order to make it a profitable business.” 
The species of marble termed verd antique is found in 
Moriah, Warrensburgh, Athol and Johnsburgh, of an 
excellent quality; and the Professor thinks it may yet 
form an article of export to Europe, where it is scarce 
and in great demand. 
Peat is found it great quantities. A remarkable 
growth of it is found on the farm of Mr. Richards, in 
Warrdnsburgh, Warren county. It occupies a space of 
60 acres, is 60 feet deep, of good quality and of easy ac¬ 
cess. This material, the Professor remarks, may be 
applied to four purposes, viz: 
“ 1st. As a manure. To secure or obtain an important 
result, something more is necessary than simply to spread it 
upon the soil. It should be raised in the fall, spread in the 
barn yard, or placed in heaps and mixed- with animal matter 
and lime. Placed under these circumstances it is exposed 
to the frost and the atmospheric agents, which produce in it 
incipient chemical changes necessary to convert it into the 
nutriment of plants. This is especially the ease when lime 
is added to it, which forms a soluble salt, the geate of lime, 
with a portion of the vegetable matter. In the spring it is 
prepared for removal to the field, and may be spread upon 
the meadow for grass, or it may be used as a manure for 
corn, potatoes, &e. It will not answer a good purpose when 
employed without due preparation, especially when it is 
spread on meadows for grass; it then becomes dry, is insolu¬ 
ble, and of course unfitted for the nourishment of vegetables. 
The same remarks might be applied to the preparation of 
peat as are recommended under the head of preparation of 
the marly clays. 
‘ ‘ 2d. Peat, as is well known, answers a good purpose for 
fuel, and undoubtedly ranks next to coal for sustaining for a 
long time a high temperature. There is no substance which 
would remove so much suffering among the poor as the ge¬ 
neral introduction of this substance for fuel in our larger 
towns and cities. Its abundance and cheapness recommend 
it to the attention of the public, and if measures could be de¬ 
vised to bring it into use, in this state, many important re¬ 
sults would follow. 
“3d. Peat furnishes an abundance of carburetted hydro¬ 
gen, and hence may be employed for producing gas light. 
Dr. Lewis Feuchtwanger, of New-York, has made known to 
the American public the experiments of Merle, a director of a 
gas light company in France. The advantages of peat for 
the production of gas are as follows; 1st. It is less expen¬ 
sive than gas from coal, oil or resin. 2d. The produce is 
nearly as much as from those substances. 3d. The gas is 
quite harmless and inoffensive, and has, in respect to health¬ 
fulness, great advantages over some of the other kinds of 
gas. 
