216 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
June. 
Notices of Jhiblucttions. 
Elements of Scientific Agriculture, or the 
connection between Science and the art of Practical 
Farming: a Prize Essay of the New-York State 
Agricultural Society. By John P. Norton, Pro¬ 
fessor of Scientific Agriculture in Yale College. 
Albany: Erastus H. Pease & Company. 1850. 
. The design of this work, in the language of the 
author, is to “clearly and distinctly explain the 
great principles that are involved in the applications 
of science to agriculture.” In reference to the man¬ 
ner in which this design has been carried out, we 
cannot better express our own views than by the 
adoption of the language of the committeo by whom 
the examination of the essay was made and the prize 
of $100 awarded:—“As a work of science, it em¬ 
bodies every principle and fundamental feature of 
Agriculture which has been developed to this period, 
and having the stamp of truth arrayed in simple yet 
perspicuous language, it would seem expedient that 
no effort should be spared to carry this work to the 
home of every man, whether directly or remotely 
connected with the pursuit of Agriculture. Until 
science shall unfold to us other facts, and further 
developments of nature’s laws, this work should be 
the elementary text-book for every person who 
studies the cultivation of the earth; it should form a 
prominent object in every school-district in the state, 
and be strong alike in the affections of teacher and 
pupil.” 
The committee closed their report by recommend¬ 
ing that the work be adopted by the publishers of 
books for the school-district libraries. The Execu¬ 
tive Committee of the State Agricultural Society, 
have also passed a resolution authorising the print¬ 
ing of one thousand copies at the expense of the 
Society, to be awarded as premiums. We are con¬ 
fident the work will meet with a ready demand, 
and that it will be read and studied with great 
satisfaction and advantage by all who are interest¬ 
ed in the principles of agriculture. 
The Advocate of Veterinary Reform, and 
Outlines of Anatomy and Physiology of the Horse; 
containing also a Veterinary Dictionary; by G. 
H. Dadd, M. D., Boston. 
The principal object of the first division of this 
work, appears to be to produce what the writer calls 
“ reform,” in the treatment of the diseases of ani¬ 
mals. This reform is to consist, mainly, in the 
abandonment of ‘‘ destructive agents,” so called— 
in other words, blood-letting, and poisonous sub¬ 
stances. As a substitute for this, the work under 
consideration advocates a system which seems to 
contemplate rather the prevention than the cure of 
disease. The directions in reference to this point 
are, in the main, such as would be approved by 
persons acquainted with the subject. We agree to 
the old adage that “an ounce of prevention is worth 
a pound of cure;”'still, with the strictest obser¬ 
vance of this rule, we apprehend animals will some¬ 
times be sick, and in such cases it will be necessary 
to adopt the best means for relief and cure. It is 
impossible to say what these are, under all circum¬ 
stances ; but the propriety of restricting the cata¬ 
logue of medicines to those wholly of a “ botanic ” 
origin, (whether poisonous or harmless,) will pro¬ 
bably be doubted by many successful practitioners, 
whose opportunities for observation and the acquire¬ 
ment of knowledge in the veterinary art, have been 
neither few nor small. The same remark may be 
made in reference to the rejection of the lancet, in 
the treatment of disease. It is not our present pur¬ 
pose, however, to make decisions where “ doctors 
disagree.” Dr. Dadd’s book contains much that 
is valuable beyond controversy . It is handsomely 
printed and bound, and comprises upwards of three 
hundred pages. 
The Farmer’s Guide. —We have received the 
second number of this work, which we take occa¬ 
sion again to recommend. The single chapter on 
Meteorology, which is completed in the second 
number, is more than worth the price of the whole 
work. We will remark in reference to its change 
of title from “ The Book of the Farm,” that we are 
authorized to say that such change has been made 
with the full understanding and consent of Mr. 
Stephens, and the Edinburgh publishers. 
The Poultry Book : A Treatise on Breeding 
and General Management of Fowls; with numerous 
Original Descriptions and Portraits from life. By 
John C. Bennett. Boston: Phillips, Sampson 
& Company. 
This is a work of 310 pages, 12mo., printed and 
bound, in excellent style, and in general execution 
is superior to any work of the kind which has ap¬ 
peared in this country. It will probably have an 
extensive sale. 
The Family Kitchen Gardener; containing 
plain and accurate descriptions of all the different 
species and varieties of culinary vegetables; with 
their botancal, English, French, and German names, 
alphabetically arranged, and the best mode of culti¬ 
vating them in the garden or under glass; with a 
description of implements and medicinal herbs in 
general use; all descriptions and characters of the 
most select fruits, the management, propagation, 
ect., illustrated with twenty-five engravings; by 
Bobere Buist. New-York: C. M. Saxton. 
This is a well-known, standard work, which has 
passed through several editions. The present edi¬ 
tion is handsomely printed, and makes in all respects 
a creditable appearance. We can safely recom¬ 
mend the work to all who wish information on the 
subjects of which it treats. 
The American Bird Fancier; considered with 
reference to the breeding, rearing, feeding, man¬ 
agement., and peculiarities of cage and house birds; 
with remarks on their diseases and remedies; drawn 
from authentic sources and personal observation; 
by D. J. Browne. New-York: C. M. Saxton. 
This is a neat little volume, copied chiefly from 
various European authors. It is “got up” in 
beautiful style—the type and the illustrations being 
of the very best character—and from a glance at 
the contents, we presume they will be found useful 
to those persons for whom they are designed. 
Song of the Plowman. 
See, the morning breaks away, 
Waken plowman to your toil; 
From early dawn to gloamin’ grey, 
Guide the plow and till the soil. 
Draw the furrow wide, and deep, 
Scatter widely—never spare ; 
Let the harrow o’er it sweep— 
The faith of future bread is there. 
Nature now her aid is bringing, 
Green the dewy blade is springing; 
Hear the lark above it singing— 
The faith of future bread is there. 
The vernal sun ail brightly glows, 
Diffusing life and joy around; 
The genial showers so mildly flow, 
Imparting freshness to the ground. 
Cattle on the lea are feeding, 
Fleecy flocks the hills adorning; 
Beauteous flowers their blossoms spreading, 
Charm the eye and cheer the mind.— Selected. 
