186 
THE CULTIVATOR 
but I doubt whether it wiil in any manner avail the 
next crop; but. still in this experiment it was undoubt¬ 
edly the best, as the $20 profit it made over either of 
the others, will more than buy any kind of manure 
wanted the next season. But the difficulty is, when 
the farmer has the $20 in cash, to get him to spend it 
again for manure. 
Experiment No. 3, was made by Mr. Campbell, 
of Derry. The potatoes were planted on the 7th of 
May, in ground prepared in the usual manner, and ma¬ 
nured with 30 tons farm-yard dung per acre. The top¬ 
dressing was applied early in June. 
In this ease again, the guano is the most profitable, 
though here it does not produce at the lowest price per 
ton. 
I should like to make some further remarks, and ask 
my brother farmers a few questions for my own infor¬ 
mation, but must now bid them adieu, with the promise, 
with your permission, to see them again after they have 
reflected upon top-dressing for potatoes. S. S. 
Improvements in Agriculture. 
Eds. Cultivator-— The table giving the estimate of 
the principal products of Seneca county in 1848, pub¬ 
lished in the July No. of your paper, is rendered interest¬ 
ing by calling to mind several important considera¬ 
tions. 
In the census of 1845, Seneca county stood in her 
agricultural productions, above the average of the 
State. The estimate for 1848 shows a large increase 
per acre, and a much larger gross increase upon the 
productions of 1845, as will appear from the following 
extract, taken from the estimates of both years: 
Year. 
Wheat- j Barley. 
Oats. 
Corn 1 . 
1849. 
1843. 
1840. 
bush'Is 
644,98 
483,773 
398,505 
pr. ac 
17.9 
14.8 
bush 5 Is. pr. ac. 
124,195! 21.7 
50,071j 13.6 
11,147' 
bush’ls., 
41 1,650 
292,3 7 
232,446 
pr. ac 
33 9 
35j 
bushl’* Ipr. a 
409,480 32.6 
204,940 26.8 
177,795* 
One interesting consideration that this table suggests, 
is, that the farmers of Seneca county, availing them¬ 
selves of their superior soil and location, and the lights 
that science is throwing upon the business of agricul¬ 
ture, are making a noble stride towards the highest 
state of good husbandry. 
Another interesting consideration is suggested in the 
fact, that notwithstanding the superior advantages and 
management of the fanners of Seneca county, still the 
income on their capital and labor, is vastly inferior to 
that of any other of the great industrial interests of 
our country; and as upon the prosperity of agriculture 
depends the prosperity of all other interests, it shows 
how important it is that it should receive, both direct¬ 
ly and indirectly, in every practicable way, the first con¬ 
sideration and the fostering c-are of our government. 
Seneca county has about 194.700 acres of land. That 
land, together with the stock and utensils of her farm¬ 
ers, constitute their invested capital. That capital can¬ 
not be estimated at much less than $5,000,000. Their 
annual agricultural products amount to about $1,200,- 
000, or 25 per cent, upon their capital. The income of 
all the other great industrial interests of our coun¬ 
try; is shown by the census to be from one hundred to 
two hundred per cent, upon their capitals. 
The population of Seneca county in 1845, was 24,972. 
The number of voters was 5,459, four-fifths of whom 
were employed in agriculture—if the same proportion 
exists there, in their population that usually prevails in 
the United States. Of course, the income of each indivi¬ 
dual engaged in that, county in agriculture, was less 
than $300 during that year. The income of each indi¬ 
vidual engaged in the other pursuits, as shown by the 
census, averages annually near $700„ 
Sept. 
Another important consideration is suggested; that 
while the grain-growing business produces less on its 
capital and labor than is produced in other pursuits, yet 
the grain growing business of that county is better than 
that of wool-growing, and the farmers there will readily 
say that they cannot afford to grow wool on land which 
is well adapted to the growing of grain. 
Another important consideration is, that although in 
Seneca county, as elsewhere, the business of agricul¬ 
ture produces less on its capital and labor than that of 
other interests, still it is the most desirable and com¬ 
mendable business of any in which the people of our 
country are engaged.* 
First, because the capital invested in it is more se¬ 
cure than that invested in any other business. 
Second, because men engaged in it enjoy greater in¬ 
dependence. They are less dependant upon each other 
in that pursuit, than in any other. 
If their income is less, their desires are less, and 
with a reasonable exercise of industry and prudence, a 
certain amount of income over expenditure, is always 
available. 
In the business of agriculture, men of abilities and 
acquirements may enjoy as high degree of considera¬ 
tion as those do in almost any other employment. 
The business is healthful, morally and physically, and 
while it produces as few causes for disquiet, I can con¬ 
ceive of no business out of which grow more sources 
of enjoyment. 
It is a business, however, which is susceptible of infi¬ 
nite improvement, and men who, as individuals or states¬ 
men, contribute most to such improvement, are deser¬ 
ving of the highest consideration from their countrymen. 
One of the most important improvements yet to be 
made, is that science and mind may be brought to bear, 
so that labor may never be wasted by being misap¬ 
plied. 
Another improvement is, to devise such implements 
as may lessen the amount of labor to be performed. 
Another and not less important improvement, can be 
made in opening to the products of the farmer, an un¬ 
restricted market at home and abroad, and in creating 
facilities for transmitting such products to such mar¬ 
kets. A. Farmer. Hillsdale , Columbia county , A. 
T. ? July 16, 1849. 
American Institute. 
The Twenty-second Annual Fair of this Association 
will be held as follows: Agricultural and Horticultural 
Exhibition on Tuesday, the second of October, at. Cas¬ 
tle-Garden, New-York. Plowing and Spading Match¬ 
es on Thursday, the 4th of October, at Flushing, Long 
Island; Central Convention of Fruit Growers, on Tues¬ 
day, the 2nd of October, in the New Saloon, at, Castle 
Garden; Cat:le Show on Wednesday and Thursday, the 
10th and 11th October, at the corner of Twenty-Third 
Street, and Fifth Avenue, rear of Madison Cottage, 
Liberal premiums are offered for Short-horn, Hereford, 
Devon, Ayrshire, Alderney, and “ native ” cattle; al¬ 
so, for blood and farm-horses; for Merino, Saxon, South 
Down, and long-wooled sheep; for swine, poultry, &c. 
The general arrangements for the exhibition are com¬ 
prised in the following programme: 
First Week. Mondays Oct. 1—Will he appropria¬ 
ted for the arrangement of the contributions. Vegeta¬ 
bles, Fruits and Flowers, for the Horticultural Room, 
should he brought this day before 12 o’clock. 
Tuesday, Oct. 2.—The exhibition will open to 
* By the census of Massachusetts in 1845, the amount of capital 
employed in manufacturing: and the mechanic arts, was $46,101,- 
217. The number of hands emp'oyed was 128.013- The value of 
their products was $87,924,033 or near two hundred per cent, in¬ 
come upon capital employed, and near $700 annual income from 
the labor of each indivi jaal. 
