122 
THE CULTIVATOR 
The HOFWYL AGRICULTURAL ESTABLISHMENT 
Moke than thirty years ago, a gentleman, the head of 
a respectable patrician family in the vicinity of Berne in 
Switzerland, strongly impressed with the wretched con¬ 
dition and ignorance of the peasantry around him; the 
tniserable condition of their agriculture and agricultural 
implements; and the necessity of doing something for 
the amelioration of the laboring classes, conceived the 
idea of forming an establishment,which, beginning with 
the simplest elements of knowledge, should in its course 
ascend to the highest branches of science, embracing in 
a prominent manner the subject of agriculture, which he 
justly considered as deserving the first place in direct im¬ 
portance and utility. Tnis gentleman, whose name was 
Fellenberg, possessed, about four miles from the city, an 
hereditary estate yielding at that time an income of about 
$2,000 per annum. The land forms part of a fine plain, 
surrounded by hills, and interspersed with woods; and 
the house and pleasure grounds are placed nearly in the 
center of the domain. 
The establishment of Hofwyl is divided into four parts, 
and is probably one of the most complete and efficient in 
all its divisions, of any similar school in the world; in¬ 
deed it may be said that Hofwyl has been the model upon 
which all others have been to a greater or less degree 
founded. It is remarkable that from the first, Mr. Fel¬ 
lenberg met with every kind of discouragement from 
those from whom he had a right to expect better things. 
Instead of lending him aid, the government interfered in 
every disagreeable and vexatious way; the common peo¬ 
ple regarded him as an enthusiast and visionary; while 
the patricians accused him of lowering his dignity and 
theirs, by condescending to engage in any pursuit that 
could render him useful to his fellow men. At first his 
plans were denounced as leading to his certain ruin; but 
when they saw that all his operations were gradually 
but surely succeeding, that pupils were flocking to Hof¬ 
wyl, that the farm was constantly improving, that the 
marshes were drained, the soil rendered productive, fine 
crops taking the place of weeds, and that his poor labor¬ 
ers were rapidly bettering their habits and condition, 
while his income was increasing, then he was attacked 
as a selfish money making person, who under the garb 
of benevolence, was carrying on plans of avarice. For¬ 
tunately, Mr. Fellenberg was as unmoved by their cla¬ 
mors in one respect as the other, and pursued the even 
tenor of his way, introducing improvements as they were 
needed or suggested, and constantly extending his sphere 
of operations and usefulness. 
The Hofwyl establishment embraces—1st. A school 
for the poor, somewhat on the principle of the manual 
labor system. With this is connected a farm of about 
200 acres, which is under the immediate supervision of 
Mr. Fellenberg, and is principally cultivated by the pu¬ 
pils of the school, which usually number between 30 and 
40. 2d. An academy for the sons of wealthier persons, 
and Usually has from 50 to 60 pupils, principally from 
patrician families. At the time Mr. Brougham was 
there, seven or eight German princes, and many young 
nobles, were in this department, in which every branch 
of useful and elegant learning is taught by eminent pro¬ 
fessors, whose moral character and manners, are par¬ 
ticularly attended to, in making the selection. 3d. An ag¬ 
ricultural institute, with which is connected a small ex¬ 
perimental farm, where the different kinds of plants, 
modes of culture, and improved or new implements, are 
submitted to a full and accurate trial. The regular stu¬ 
dents of this department usually number about twenty, 
and are more advanced in years than the pupils of the 
first section. They are carefully instructed in every 
thing relating to the science and practice of agriculture, 
hold daily conversations on the subject, have access to an 
extensive laboratory, cabinets of natural history, and 
philosophical apparatus, and witness all farming ope¬ 
rations submitted to the test of actual experiment. 4th. 
A manufactory of farming machinery and implements. 
This is divided into two branches: one of common hus¬ 
bandry implements, the other for making experiments 
and improvements, and the first part defrays the expen¬ 
ses of the last. In this department of the establishment, 
the pupils of the academy are instructed in the handi¬ 
craft arts; those of the institute in those connected with 
agriculture; and the poor boys of the farm, in such trades 
as may in after life afford them an honorable livelihood. 
There is no doubt that the most interesting part of this 
establishment is the first, or the department for the edu¬ 
cation of the poor, which is under the personal supervi¬ 
sion of Mr. Fellenberg; as by that the character of the 
poor laborers of the Canton has been much improved, 
as well as their condition bettered. It is by the action 
of the institute, or the third department, that the influ¬ 
ence and fame of the school has been most spread, how¬ 
ever, as from the graduates of this part, most of those 
chosen to superintend the many similar establishments 
that are springing up in European countries, have been 
selected. The pupils in the first department eat at Mr. 
Fellenberg’s table, are all treated in precisely the same 
manner, all labor the same number of hours, and are all 
subjected to a constant and minute superintendence, in 
which the chief superintendent under Mr. Fellenberg, is 
much aided by the older boys, who have already be¬ 
come familiar with the studies, as well as the labors pre¬ 
scribed. Any of the pupils of the first department may 
continue the course in the second and third, if their 
means will admit, which but very few of the peasantry 
can do. The amount of agricultural products from the 
farm of the first department is very great, and the ma¬ 
nagement is such as to command universal admiration. 
On the plan of the establishment at Hofwyl, and prin¬ 
cipally under the direction of graduates from that place, 
numerous schools intended to promote the cause of agri¬ 
culture and morals, have arisen in Germany; and their 
example has not been lost on other nations of Europe. 
One of the most extensive and successful of these schools 
is the one established at Kesthely in Hungary, by Count 
Festetis; and of which an interesting account is given in 
Bright’s travels. This school provides for eight or ten 
pensioners, and as many independent students are admit¬ 
ted as choose to attend. The course lasts three years, 
and on a large experimental farm, all the details of ag¬ 
riculture, the management of forest and fruit trees, and 
the care of cattle, sheep, &c., are taught in the most sci¬ 
entific and practical manner. Connected w'ith this estab¬ 
lishment, is one in which girls are educated and in¬ 
structed in the duties of housekeepers, management of 
dairies, &c. It is believed that not a single agricultural 
establishment of this kind abroad, has failed of realizing 
the high expectations of the founders, and they are now 
exei'cising a most healthy and salutary influence on the 
agricultural condition of Europe. 
There seems to be a general impression in this coun¬ 
try, that a large capital, and an extensive array of build¬ 
ings, library, professorships, apparatus, &c. is necessary 
to commence an agricultural school. No idea can be 
more mistaken or fallacious. The necessary buildings 
for the pupils; a good farm, embracing a sufficient vari¬ 
ety of soils for cultivation, and for illustrating- the various 
operations of agriculture; a thorough, practical farmer, 
to oversee and manage the field operations; and a super¬ 
intendent of judgment and science, are sufficient for all 
practical purposes at the outset. The library, and the re¬ 
quired apparatus, need not be extensive at the begin¬ 
ning, and may be increased as the means are provided, 
and the course of labor and studies demand. Every thing 
about such an institution should be thoroughly imbued 
with the practical; for the visionary no room should be 
permitted. The order should be strict and undeviating; 
the government parental and mild, yet firm and unhesi¬ 
tating. There is a deep religious feeling, not a fanatic 
or enthusiastic one, pervading the Hofwyl establishment, 
which produces a most salutary influence, and without 
which, in a greater or less degree, the minds of the young 
are never trained to those habits of thought and inquiry 
so essential to the perfect man. 
We have already had the pleasure of announcing to 
the readers of the Cultivator, the commencement of two 
agricultural schools in this country; that of Elm Craig 
near Nashville, Tennessee, under the superintendence of 
Mr. Fanning, one of the editors of the Agriculturist, and 
that of Eden Hill Farm Institute, on the banks of the 
Delaware, near Philadelphia, under the direction of Mr. 
Pedder, the conductor of the Farmer’s Cabinet. It is 
needless to say, we expect much from these schools ; the 
character of the men engaged justifies such anticipations. 
From these germs we hope to see similar institutions 
spreading, until every state at least, shall be provided 
with a well conducted Agricultural Institute. We hope 
another year will not pass, without one or more schools 
worthy of the state of New-York, being put in operation 
among us. We have pointed out above the indispensa¬ 
ble things. An annual fee for admission from the pupils, 
would provide the means of lectures on Natural History, 
Chemistry, &c. &c.; cabinets of mineralogy, geology, 
and the other departments of the natural sciences would 
soon grow up and become extensive, under the fostering 
care of competent instructors; thorough instruction in 
all the branches of education necessary to qualify the 
man for the active business of life might be easily added 
where desired; and a full and complete course of agri¬ 
culture in theory and practice, would soon render such 
schools a place far preferable and less expensive than 
most of our higher schools and colleges. Who can 
doubt that for men who are training for utility rather 
than for show, for action rather than for idleness, such 
institutions would soon receive the preference they would 
deserve? A kind Providence has decreed that we must 
remain as we are, essentially an agricultural people; a 
condition of all others the best adapted to promote health, 
happiness, and individual and national virtue; and we 
must be culpably neglectful of these best endowments of 
heaven, if we suffer any means to be unimproved calcu¬ 
lated to advance this great cause. 
A VIRGINIA FARM. 
A correspondent of the Boston Traveler, writing from 
the valley of the Shenandoah, last autumn, gives the fol¬ 
lowing account of the Steenbergen farm, situated in that 
valley, some 40 miles above Winchester. Few parts of 
the U. States afford examples of more fertile soils, and 
few instances of better cultivated farms than the rich 
valley of the Shenandoah. 
“ On ascending the opposite bank of the river, we en¬ 
tered the extensive grounds of the celebrated Steenber¬ 
gen farm, a view of which is worth a day’s journey in 
more oppressive heat than we experienced to-day. The 
farm consists of 7,000 acres, a large portion of intervale 
or bottom land, and nearly the whole is under cultiva¬ 
tion. The family mansion is beautifully situated on ri¬ 
sing ground, overlooking the whole area, and the farm 
houses are conveniently arranged in the vicinity for the 
overseers and slaves. The hay crop was gathered, and 
the quantity may be judged from the fact that from 1,500 
to 2,000 head of cattle are kept on the premises. The 
wheat too, between 400 and 500 acres, had been har¬ 
vested, and much of it was already threshed and sent to 
market. Our road passed through a luxuriant field of 
corn, nearly ripe, embracing a level tract of 600 acres, 
and a richer sight for the lover of scientific husbandry I 
have never seen. Mr. Steenbergen, who owned this un¬ 
rivaled farm, and by his agricultural skill, extraordinary 
energy and perseverance, in a few years greatly improved 
the strength of the soil, rendered the property more valu¬ 
able, probably, than any other farm in the U. States.” 
We may add here, as a warning to others, that not sa¬ 
tisfied with this farm, Mr. S. became infected with the 
speculating notions at one time so prevalent; that he was 
with many others unfortunate, and when he failed some 
three or four years since, his liabilities amounted to 
more than a million and a half, of which about $650,000 
was to the U. S. Bank. Mr. S. is now a resident of La 
Porte, Ind., and his farm has passed into the hands of 
Mr. Munn of Lynchburgh, Va. 
SUMMER FALLOWS—SOWING WHEAT. 
In a large part of our country where wheat is grown, 
summer fallowing, or the previous preparation of that 
crop by plowing, harrowing, &c. is indispensable to the 
success of a crop; and as cultivation is extended and con¬ 
tinued, the practice must more widely prevail. Thene- 
eessity of summer fallows seems to arise at present, from 
the necessity of the course for cleaning the soil; as ow¬ 
ing to imperfect farming, and careless culture, most 
farms are so overrun with weeds, that unless some tho¬ 
rough measures are taken for their destruction, the crop 
of grain appears to be considered by them as an intru¬ 
der, and stands but a poor chance of success. Another 
benefit is undoubtedly derived from the pulverization 
and aeration of the soil, which affords the roots of plants 
a much better opportunity of seeking their food, and re¬ 
ceiving those supplies through the medium of atmosphe¬ 
ric agency, which are essential to their growth. Now 
and then, indeed, an individual who manages better than 
his neighbors; who has guarded against the introduction 
and spread of weeds, or by skillful culture has eradica¬ 
ted them; who by a proper rotation and manuring, has 
made his whole farm capable of the production of any 
crop; and who by draining or deep plowing has given 
a fineness, dryness and depth, that renders summer fal¬ 
lowing unnecessary, dispenses with this laborious pro¬ 
cess, and putting in his wheat after corn, peas, or roots, 
gives these the first benefit of his manures, and finds the 
crop produced in the place of a fallow, a clear gain. But 
such farms are rare, and only serve to show what we 
have a right to expect, when a better and more rational 
system of treating the soil shall prevail. At present it 
must be conceded, that in general summer fallows are 
necessary, and that unless every part of the farm submit¬ 
ted to cropping is occasionally fallowed, it will soon be¬ 
come so foul as to be unfit for the production of grain. 
The man who has a clean farm, and on which fallow¬ 
ing is unnecessary, either draws his manure in the fall 
or spring upon the land he intends to plant, which is ge¬ 
nerally in meadow or pasture, spreads it, and then skill¬ 
fully buries it with his plow. On this his corn is plant¬ 
ed or his roots sown, which require little labor to keep 
them clean, but keeps all weeds away, and the soil light 
and fit for the succeeding crop. The corn is cut in sea¬ 
son and removed from the field, when a single thorough 
plowing with suitable hari’owings, is all that is neces¬ 
sary for putting in the wheat; and the same maybe said, 
where on such farms, peas or roots are substituted for 
the corn crop. Now when it is recollected that but lit¬ 
tle more labor is required to grow the corn crop than to 
summer fallow the same ground properly, for unless this 
process is well and effectually done, it does more hurt 
than good, only serving the purpose of cultivating weeds 
it should destroy, the advantages of placing land in such 
a state as to render a fallow unnecessary, will be appa¬ 
rent to all. Not less than three plowings should be given 
to a fallow, and these must be increased in number as the 
condition of the soil demands. There should not at the 
close, or when the ground is fitted for the seed, be a sin¬ 
gle green Ihing in the soil; the repeated plowings will 
turn up w'hat seeds former growths of weeds may have 
deposited, and if the successive plowings are judiciously 
distributed, the young plants or sprouting roots will be 
destroyed as fast as they appear. 
Whatever may be the condition or state of the soil at 
the outset,calculation should be made to have all the labor 
done by the first of September, that the seeding may be 
completed b}' the middle of that month. An examina¬ 
tion of the wheat crop for a succession of years shows 
that the best crops are produced when the seeding takes 
place between the fifth and the fifteenth of that month, 
the plant escaping our two great enemies, the fly and the 
frost, is better if sown within those periods than at any 
other. If earlier, the danger is from the fly; if later, 
from the effects of the winter. The difference between 
sowing at the proper time, and at too late a one, has re¬ 
ceived a striking illustration at the north the present 
year. During the latter part of August, and the fore part 
of September of last year, we performed a journey of 
some extent, part of it through some of the finest wheat 
districts of the state. Very few farmers had sown their 
wheat, though many had about completed their prepara¬ 
tions, when about the fifth of the month that protracted 
rain set in, which compelled farmers to suspend all their 
farming operations, and prevented the greater part of 
the seeding until after the 20th. _We have within a few 
weeks had an opportunity of going over a part of the 
same ground, and with a few exceptions, the fields sown 
previous to the rains, are much better than those sown 
during them, or after they were over. This may be, it 
1 is true, partly accounted for by the more unfavorable 
