THE CULTIVATOR. 
137 
premium must be delivered either on Thursday, Friday, or 
Saturday, October the 3d, 4th and 5tli, and reported to the 
clerk as for competition. If they are delivered at an early 
hour, and places assigned in the beginning of the fair, their 
location will not be changed, unless the general arrangements 
of the exhibition, in the opinion of the managers, render it 
desirable. They should be accompanied with a written de¬ 
scription, as an effort will be made to publish a catalogue the 
first week of the fair. Tire accommodations of the garden 
have been greatly extended and improved since the last year. 
Two rooms, eacli 110 by 25 feet, have been added, adjoining 
and communicating with the great saloon, directly north.— 
All the departments of industry and of the arts, in the vari¬ 
ous sections of our country, are invited to make contributions 
of their choice specimens. 
The deep interest taken at the last fair in the exhibition of 
cattle and farming stocks, and their importance to agriculture, 
the promotion of which is enjoined foremost in our charter, 
and the consideration that agriculture lies at the foundation 
of all production, lias induced the institute to resolve on ano¬ 
ther cattle exhibition and sale. Accommodations will be pro¬ 
vided for pure blood cattle, horses, and extraordinary breeds 
of sheep, swine, &c. contiguous to the garden. Certificates 
of pedigree should be provided. 
Much the greatest proportion of manual labor employed in 
production, is applied to agriculture. Here, then, is present¬ 
ed the widest field for the introduction of labor-saving ma¬ 
chines. The farmer is much more secluded from the know¬ 
ledge of these improvements than the manufacturer. The 
latter, availing himself of his advantageous situation, has, by 
the employment of machinery, dispensed with the greatest 
part of the' most irksome toil and drudgery formerly required 
in his occupation. 
The coming fair will present to the farmer the best oppor¬ 
tunity of which he can possibly avail himself, for learning 
the properties of the newly invented, and the most valuable 
agricultural implements and machines, as they will be brought 
together for his examination. Those we intend particularly 
to benefit should not fail to be present. 
We hope to see all the varieties and improvements of the 
plough. The Institute, by turning their attention to this in¬ 
dispensable instrument of husbandry, begin already to wit¬ 
ness the benefits. One of its members has been induced to 
attempt the construction of a sub-plough, which promises 
great utility. Another has produced a steam plough, which 
has gone to the western prairies. It is ascertained that many 
of the ploughs in ordinary use require from 25 to 33 per cent 
more power to operate them, than those of the best improved 
construction. Even in Great Britain, with all their boasted 
culture, it is estimated that more than 1,000,000 of horses 
are employed in husbandry, and to a great extent the ploughs 
in use require 33 per cent more team than those of the best 
formation. The annual cost, only, at $25 each, amounts to 
$25,000,000. It will be evident, therefore, that in so great 
an agricultural country as ours, in many parts of which very 
defective ploughs are in use, the substitution of the most per¬ 
fect construction, universally, would save millions in horses 
every year, and essentially contribute to our agricultural re¬ 
sources and national independence. 
Inventors, manufacturers and owners of machinery are in¬ 
formed, that the Institute, to prevent disappointments, have 
purchased and located on the premises a steam boiler, of suf¬ 
ficient capacity to operate machines of the most massive con¬ 
struction. 
Arrangements are making for a full display of American 
silk in all forms, from the cocoon to the finished fabric. Much 
good, we think, will result to the country from the prepara¬ 
tions for the raising of silk. Our climate is peculiarly con¬ 
genial to the insect that produces. The women, children 
and infirm persons scattered among our population, from 
whose labors little or nothing is realized, are competent to 
supply twenty millions of dollars value in silk per annum, in¬ 
stead of which we have imported in a single year more than 
that amount.—a sum double the value of the whole exported 
products of the United States, for the same period, from all 
our boasted fisheries, with all the exports from our forests, of 
skins and furs, lumber, masts, and all our manufactures of 
wood; our naval stores, tar, pitch, turpentine, pot and pearl 
ashes, &c. and also from our almost innumerable farms; all 
our exported beef, tallow, hides and cattle, butter, cheese, 
pork, bacon, horses, mules, sheep, &c. with our entire ex¬ 
ports of wheat, com, and Hour, superudded. The whole ca 
talogue of this formidable portion of a nation’s hard earnings 
for foreign exportation, did not in 1836 equal twelve millions 
of dollars, while the imports of silks the same year, exceed¬ 
ed twenty millions of dollars; and by including silk and worst¬ 
ed goods, of which silk constituted an important part, they 
amounted to over twenty-three millions five hundred thousand 
dollars. This alarming statement, the report from ti e trea¬ 
sury department will fully verify. Is it not high time that 
silk should command our attention? The mulberry is essen¬ 
tial to the worm that produces it. All its varieties should be 
collected at this fair, with detailed facts, showing their adap¬ 
tation to soil and climate, and the quantity of sustenance they 
afford. 
The general effect of the silk excitement, we think, can¬ 
not but be beneficial, as it will fill our country with mulber¬ 
ries, and every where afford food for silkworms; but it is vast¬ 
ly important in the commencement, that the kind best suit¬ 
ed to our soil and our climate, and most bountiful in their 
healthy foliage, should be selected. 
The early success of the silk culture will depend much on 
the perfection of machinery. The reel ought first lo engage 
our attention. For ordinary household use, it should be cheap 
and simple in its construction, and its merits should be made 
public. For this purpose a gold medal will be awarded at 
the coming fair, for the reel which shall best answer the above 
description. 
The public are looking with great interest to the investi¬ 
gations and experiments for deriving sugar from the beet.— 
We anticipate important improvements from the ingenuity 
and perseverance of a member of this institute, whose inde¬ 
fatigable exertions have been for several years applied in ac¬ 
complishing a speedy and economical process for its extrac¬ 
tion. Those who have witnessed some of the experiments 
have become convinced, that the sugar beet will, ere long, 
successfully compete with the sugar cane. 
The manufacturers of cottons and woollens have at out lat¬ 
ter fairs, come forward with renewed spirit. It is hoped that 
it will not only continue, but increase-. The additional room 
which the new buildings afford, will enable the managers 
most advantageously to accommodate the exhibitors of cloths. 
i\ew machinery lor the spinning of iiax has been construct¬ 
ed. ^Specimens of the yam should be forwarded, detailing 
the preparations necessary, the construction and operations 
of the machinery, together with their cost. Flax formerly 
ranked among our principal staples. For the last fifty years 
its culture has been on the decline. A perfect flax spinning 
machine would create a demand for flax, and soon cause it to 
be extensively cultivated. 
Manufactures from various metals have, within a few 
years, increased and improved with great rapidity. Twenty- 
rive years ago, domestic hardware was scarcely known in the 
i\ew-York market. In 1836, it was ascertained that there 
had been actually sold within the city, in one year, more 
than seven millions of dollars value. 
The specimens of iron castings brought to the last fair, 
conferred on the manufacturers the highest credit. The vari¬ 
ed and perfect fabrics from malleable iron, (unknown until 
recently among us,) in an economical point of view, afford 
great promise. 
In the manufactures of wood, particularly household furni¬ 
ture, useful and ornamental, we need not fear a comparison 
with the workmanship of any country. A few years since, 
most of our fashionable furniture was imported; our inge¬ 
nious and skilful mechanics now successfully compete in 
foreign markets. 
We now supply a great proportion of the glass which we 
consume, and have made profitable shipments abroad. The 
skill we possess has all been acquired within a few years.— 
The acquisition of the same skill in other countries, has re¬ 
quired centuries. 
Our hats and leather are not only sufficient for the home 
demand, with the exception of small quantities of the latter 
article for particular uses, but a large amount is also realized 
from their exportation. There are thousands of other arti¬ 
cles worthy of particular notice, and many, perhaps more 
worthy than some we have named. To show the magnitude 
of our manufactures, we feel warranted in stating in general 
terms, that the exports to the south and to foreign countries 
of all the varieties of our manufactures, (produced in the 
northern and middle states,) though yet in their infancy, far 
exceed all our exports of agriculture from the same sections, 
and constitute our main reliance for meeting the demands 
continually accruing from abroad. Every thing in the past, 
promises well to our country for the future. We have only 
to rely on our own energies and resources. 
An annual display, in this great emporium, of our best spe¬ 
cimens, is signally calculated to awaken the genius of inven¬ 
tion. Accordingly, every exhibition has brought forth some 
new improvement, till then not known. The multitude of 
competitors, the vast assemblage of inquisitive and scrutiniz¬ 
ing visitors, whose attendance is anticipated by the exhibi¬ 
tors even before they commence making their specimens, the 
desire and the hope of winning the prizes, create an intensity 
of emulation among the competitors, that brings into ac¬ 
tion all their energies, and draws forth all their resources. 
There were, at the least, 150,000 visiters entered the gar¬ 
den at the last fair, and about 1800 exhibitors presented them- 
s lives. Contributions were received from about 1500; they 
being all that were deemed worthy of exhibition. Among 
them were many entirely new; and others, not new, greatly 
improved. It will be readily seen, when each contributor 
brought on an average ten to fifteen articles, that even the 
names would occupy more than the space devoted to an or¬ 
dinary circular. 
The excitement created does not terminate with the fair. 
A determined purpose, an abiding resolution is made, to per¬ 
severe, so that the close of one fair is only the signal of pre¬ 
paration for another. It is not within the scope of human in¬ 
vention to devise a plan, for carrying out the noble work of 
national industry and improvement, more general, pervading, 
and effectual. The belief that our country required a national 
institute for the general promotion of industry and the arts, in¬ 
duced the proposition for a charter, and the city of New-York 
was selected as the appropriate location. The provisions of 
the charter were accordingly made to embrace the whole 
Union. Contributors and visitors, of all occupations and of 
every slate, are therefore invited to join in the celebration. 
A formal resolution of a large meeting, consisting of most 
of the distinguished members of the legislature, and others, 
held at the Capitol in Albany, was unanimously adopted, re¬ 
questing 'the American Institute to call a convention of silk 
cuiturists, and those friendly to their interests during the en¬ 
suing fair. We, in conformity to that resolution and in be¬ 
half of the institute, hereby give notice that a suitable room 
will be provided for that purpose, on the evening next suc¬ 
ceeding the evening on which the anniversary address is de¬ 
livered. All who feel an interest in this subject are invited 
from this and other states. Silk cuiturists and silk manufac¬ 
turers are particularly requested to bring forward all their best 
specimens, and to prepare themselves to give such useful in¬ 
formation and explanations as will best promote this new 
branch of domestic industry. An examination of the best spe¬ 
cimens that can be produced, and the interchange of ideas 
among experienced silk cuiturists, cannot fail to elicit impor¬ 
tant information, which, through the convention, may be 
spread before the public. 
The essential prerequisite for the production of silk is al¬ 
ready accomplished. Numerical calculation can scarcely keep 
pace with the multiplication of the mulberry. Should the 
enthusiasm for its propagation continue, America will soon af¬ 
ford more sustenance for the silkworm than the whole globe 
beside. 
The encouragement given by the presence of such of our 
fellow-citizens as have been distinguished by high official sta¬ 
tions, or for their wisdom or their learning, is most propi¬ 
tious to emulation and improvement. While they confer dig¬ 
nity on the anniversary, they operate as a powerful stimulus 
to greater and nobler efforts. Much profound reflection will 
be afforded them by this compressed view of a nation’s unpa¬ 
ralleled progress in the arts. The effect of minds and hands 
operating under the genial influences of constitutional liberty, 
will be impressively illustrated, imparting life and energy and 
confidence to industry, and awakening and quickening the la¬ 
tent powers of invention and genius. 
At each of the eleven preceding fairs, the exhibition rooms 
have uniformly, at an early hour, been adorned with the de¬ 
licate and tasteful productions of female ingenuity and skill, 
and the gaiety, fashion and beauty displayed though the day 
and evening by the fair visitors, have always been among 
the strongest attractions of the celebrations. They have 
shown that our Institute is their favorite institution. It has 
not been the gay tinsel and the glare of unsubstantial show, 
or unmeaning curiosity, that have moved them. It is a por¬ 
tion of that diffusive patriotism and pride of country which 
they have imbibed, and which every real American experi¬ 
ences, from the proud reflection that the triumphant displays 
are the exclusive products of their own native America.—- 
They are respectfully solicited to honor the Twelfth Annual 
Fair by a continuance of their exhibitions, and with their ac¬ 
customed cheering presence and approbation. 
At the four last fairs, there were awarded as premiums, one 
hundred and twenty gold medals; six hundred silver medals; 
and about fifteen hundred diplomas-—solely at the expense of 
the Institute. The managers do not intend to diminish the 
appropriations for rewarding merit, whilst the liberality of 
the public confers the power to bestow- them. The determi¬ 
nation of the merits of the respective articles entered for com¬ 
petition, will be submitted to competent and disinterested 
judges. If within the short space allowed for receiving, en¬ 
tering, arranging, and delivering articles, amidst the throngs 
of exhibitors and visitors, some errors should occur, or some 
omissions happen, which provoke the vociferations of disap¬ 
pointed expectation and passion, or which inconsiderate wan¬ 
tonness may distort and magnify—still, we trust, a conside¬ 
rate and liberal public wall not expect the managers to be di¬ 
verted from limit arduous, engrossing and important duties, 
to indite contradictions and replies. Twelve years of faithful 
disinterested devotion to a cause which lies near the heart of 
every genuine American, have placed the American Institute 
in a position from which it cannot be expected to descend to 
repel attacks which have always proved harmless in effect, 
whatever may have been their design. 
Agricultural Geology. 
[From Prof. JacksoiUs Third Geological Report.] 
Of all the arts, I know of none more likely to be improved 
by geological examinations, than that of Agriculture; since 
the composition of soils indicates their fertility, or capabilities 
of improvement, and the causes of barrenness. The science 
of geology demonstrates the origin , and distribution of the 
mineral matters, constituting the basis of all soils, to which 
they chiefly owe their peculiarities. I know that it is a 
favorite opinion with many agriculturists, that the mineral 
constituents of a soil have but little, if any influence on their 
fertility; and that they suppose the whole secret resides in 
the presence of certain vegetable or animal matters; but such 
a theory is at once exploded by an attentive examination of 
the natural soils, with their peculiar vegetation; for it will 
be seen that there are regular zones of vegetation, peculiar 
to each geological district, in which the same vegetable or 
animal matters are present, but which differ essentially in 
their mineral constitution. Thus how different is the soil 
derived from granitic rocks, from that which is formed by the 
disintegration and decomposition of limestones and slates. 
How peculiar is the vegetation which follows the great bands 
of trap rocks, and how remarkable is the growth on the 
ancient clay loams, of tertiary deposition. Whoever con¬ 
siders the attempts made to raise wheat upon soil totally 
destitute of lime, will at once appreciate the value of that 
mineral substance, and its importance in the production of 
grain. An imperfect or blighted product is sure to follow the 
planting of this grain upon soils destitute of lime, while it is 
well known that certain districts, where the soil contains 
this mineral, are always favored with luxuriant and heavy 
crops. This is one of the settled points in agriculture, rnd 
one which every farmer should duly appreciate, if he wishes 
to prosper in his art. Indian corn requires but little, if any 
lime, and hence we see excellent crops of that grain raised 
uponffandy plains, unsuited to wheat. Rye, likewise, will 
do pretty well without it, but it is always more full and 
heavy where it exists in the soil; and by attending to this 
circumstance, the value of the crop may he greatly improved. 
The overlapping of soils, from diluvial causes, is also a 
point greatly illuminated by a knowledge of geology; and 
w-e are able, by means of a good geological map, to predict 
the nature of a soil in a given d strict, w.th as much certdnty 
as we refer back certain rounded and transported stones to 
their native beds. It is also easy by the geological and topo¬ 
graphical features of a country, to predict the nature of the 
alluvial or intervale soils, which have been washed down 
from the hills and mountains by brooks, rivers and rain; and 
such knowledge not only helps us to account for the pheno¬ 
mena in question, but also in the selection of suitable grounds 
for our various crops. 
The situations in which are found substances capable of 
being used for the amelioration of soils, is also pointed out 
in a geological survey; and a scientific farmer soon learns 
to avail himself of the natural resources of the country. We 
also are able to indicate by the natural growth, the nature of 
the soil, and to point out to the farmer tracts of country 
which will form the best settling lands; and by the applica¬ 
tion of the science of chemistry, we indicate to him the pe¬ 
culiarities of the different kinds of soils, and the modes of 
renovating those which are deemed to be exhausted. 
There are certain tracts, upon which gypsum acts favora¬ 
bly, while on others it does no good; and there are those 
where liming is required, and others where it is not. Some 
soils require the introduction of a quantity of vegetable mat¬ 
ter, and we show the farmer the cheapest mode of introduc¬ 
ing it; others are wanting in certain saline matters, required 
for peculiar vegetation, and the nature and quantity of such 
matter required, is indicated by a chemical analysis of the 
soil. Enormous quantities of valuable materials in manures 
are lost by a want of chemical art in preserving them and 
still more is wasted by improper application. The causes 
which effect these results, are well known to chemists and 
geologists, and by special examinations, the knowledge is ap¬ 
plied to particular cases with skill, and with certainty in the 
result; whereas vast, amounts of both time and money are la¬ 
vished in idle experiments, by those who are unacquainted 
with the laws of nature. 
It is to correct these errors in agriculture, that science, 
“ the handmaid of the arts,” comes t.o our aid, and by learn¬ 
ing and following her laws, we soon come to a more perfect 
knowledge of the subject, and with the lever which she puts 
in our hands, overthrow all obstacles. Why is it that the 
noble art of agriculture, bolds so low a rank in the opinion 
