THE CULTIVATOR. 
109 
AGRICULTURAL MEETINGS IN ALBANY. 
These meeting have been continued weekly from the first, on the 
16th Jan. of which we gave a brief notice in the Feb. number. We 
have furnished full reports of the discussions for the daily papers 
here ; but for our own pages we are under the necessity of greatly 
abridging them, in order to find room for a sketch of all in our co¬ 
lumns. 
At the second meeting, Jan 23d, the subject for discussion was 
“ The best means of advancing the Agricultural interest 
Mr. HOWARD, Assistant Editor of the Cultivator, after speaking 
of other causes of the depression of agriculture, and suggesting 
means for improvement, remarked that the prevalence of an invete¬ 
rate habit of carelessness and negligence among farmers, in his 
opinion constituted a very great obstacle to improvement. Pass 
through the country, and we too plainly see the evidence of the ex¬ 
istence and consequences of this habit. We see this in the neglect¬ 
ed fences, badly arranged farm-buildings and barn-yards—and in the 
trees and fruits of the garden and orchard, destroyed by the cater¬ 
pillar and curculio. 
In offering a remedy for this, Mr. H. would proceed as he should 
do in attempting all other great revolutions : that is, he would begin 
with the rising generation. He would endeavor to enlist the feel¬ 
ings of the boy, at an early age, in the business of his future voca¬ 
tion—would induce him to bring the mind to aid the hands in the 
prosecution of his labors. Teach him habits of observation and re¬ 
flection. Especially induce in him the observance of systematic rules 
in the laying out and management of his business. Induce him to 
adopt as a motto, the advice of Franklin to his young friend: “ Lay 
down a little plan for yourself, and all your operations will become 
easy.” Let him study the principles of his art—trace effects to their 
causes, and from well established truths be able to draw correct and 
useful inferences. Permit him not to imbibe the idea, heretofore too 
common, that the profession of agriculture is a menial drudgery, fit 
only for the ignorant and degraded; but show him that it. is a noble 
calling, where the powers of the mind may find full scope, and in the 
study and practice of which, the mysterious and most beautiful ope¬ 
rations of nature are unfolded to view. 
Mr. H. would particularly encourage boys in reading books and 
papers on subjects connected with agricultural pursuits. The school 
libraries may furnish to all our youth an excellent medium for ob¬ 
taining useful reading of this kind. Excite in them, if possible, a 
habit of reading books on natural history. Provide suitable rudimen¬ 
tary works on entomology and botany. As the boy studies these, 
stimulate his interest by permitting him to combine the knowledge 
there obtained, with his every day business. When, in his field la¬ 
bors, he meets with a worm, a moth, or a beetle, let him put it in a 
-jox carried in his pocket for the purpose. On returning home, he 
will find out its name and character, and give it its proper place in 
nis entomological cabinet. 
Mr. H. thought the establishment of a Model and Experimental 
Farm, under judicious management, would be a very effectual 
means of advancing the agricultural interest. He urged this matter 
with much earnestness, and advanced various arguments in favor of 
such an institution. Its great design and object should be the decis¬ 
ion of doubtful points in husbandry and rural economy. There, the 
various breeds of animals might be subjected to an impartial test, and 
their relative value for specific purposes, fairly made known. Theo¬ 
ries, deducible from experiments in the laboratory, are being every 
day thrown before the public. These, would there be subjected to 
the test of field culture— nature's laboratory —and without suclf 
tests, they could never become safe guides to the farmer. These 
points will never be decided by individuals acting in their ordinary 
capacity. Some persons are incapable of conducting experiments in 
such a manner that correct inferences can be drawn from them. 
Others cannot afford to risk time and money upon uncertain results; 
and others are so biassed in favor of some favorite theory, as to pre¬ 
clude the possibility of arriving at the true result of an experiment. 
Atyestablishment conducted by competent persons, with a single eye 
to the development of truth, would be liable to none of these diffi¬ 
culties or objections 
The appointment of an agricultural missionary, or lecturer, Mr. 
H. said, would, as he believed, be an important auxiliary, in con¬ 
nection with other means, of advancing the ?ause of agricultural im¬ 
provement. We may find in other countries an example in point. 
Mr. Blacker of Ireland, and Prof. Johnston of Scotland, have render¬ 
ed very important services by their labors of this kind. It was not 
to be expected, perhaps, that an individual could be found for this 
business, whose opinions were in all respects so perfectly orthodox 
that no one could possibly make any objections to them; nor was it 
necessary that a lecturer of infallibility should be procured. The 
great benefit which would accrue from his mission and exhortations 
would be the stimulus given to study and investigation. Farmers 
would be aroused—they would devote their thoughts to their busi¬ 
ness—an examination would be commenced, to ascertain the truth 
of any new doctrines which might be promulgated; and the result 
could not fail to be beneficial. 
Dr. D. LEE, of the Assembly, observed, that Sir Humphrey Da¬ 
vy had defined Science to be “ refined common sense.” Dr. I;. 
thought the use of this “science,” or this form of “ common sense,” 
would greatly advance the agricultural interest. He thought the far¬ 
mer should be better educated—especially, that he should have more 
of that kind of knowledge which would enable him to reap a better 
return for his labor—would enable him to keep more of what he 
earns. Ten days’ work of the farmer, Dr. L. said, frequently did 
not bring him more than one day’s work brought the lawyer. He 
thought the diffusion of knowledge, of the right kind, would tend to 
equalise the value of labor—would advance the interest of the farm¬ 
er. as well as the whole community. 
The meeting was further addressed by Mr. BETTS, member of 
the Assembly from Rensselaer county. Judge LELAND, of Steu 
ben county, Mr. McVEAN and Mr. YOUNG of the Assembly, and 
by Judge CHEEVER. 
Judge C. thought the benefits of agricultural societies had been 
undervalued. It was a great misfortune to the agricultural interest, 
that farmers did not act sufficiently in concert. The people of other 
classes saw the benefits of association, and they so combined their 
forces that their action was felt. Their influence on the policy of 
government was obvious. Now he would arouse farmers to the im¬ 
portance of protecting their interests—he would have them united and 
firm in claiming of government their rights—the government should 
know that their voice is not to be unheeded. 
At the third meeting, Jan. 30th, the question discussed was 
“ What Breed or Breeds of Cattle, are best adapted to the 
purposes of Farmers in the State of New- York ?” 
Mr. SOTHAM said he was an advocate of the Herefords. He 
believed they would make more flesh with the same expense than 
any breed in the country—that they would carry themselves to mar¬ 
ket with less loss; and that their beef would, from its superior qual¬ 
ity, command the highest price. In selecting these cattle, he haa 
done so from a conviction that they would prove more generally use¬ 
ful here, than any other breed in England. He had had frequent 
opportunities of examining all the breeds there, and thought he was 
acquainted with the peculiarities of each. He had been perfectly 
satisfied with the Herefords here ; and he only asked a fair trial for 
them, to satisfy others. He however considered mere opinions as 
of but little consequence in regard to cattle; he therefore proposed 
to have the Herefords tried on their own merits; and for this pur¬ 
pose was willing to put three steers and three cows, to a trial with 
the same number owned at this time by one man, of any other 
breed, under such regulations as impartial individuals should deem 
proper. He made this public offer for no other purpose than to have 
a fair comparison made with various breeds. 
Mr. DANFORTH, of Jefferson county, member of the Assembly, 
said he began breeding with what is called the native stock. About 
sixteen years ago, he purchased a Short-Horn bull of the late Mat¬ 
thew Bullock, of Albany county. The calves produced from this 
animal and the old stock, were much improved for dairy purposes— 
they were also better for fattening. He kept them as lie had for¬ 
merly kept stock. They were more tender in constitution—did not 
winter so well—were not quite so good for labor—their dispositions 
were more sluggish ; but on the whole, they were more profitable 
by at least twenty per cent, than the old stock. Some years since, 
Mr. D. used a Devon bull in his herd. The cross from him on that 
of the Short-horn bull, had proved excellent. They are more har¬ 
dy, require less food, fatten easier, are better for work, and are as 
good for milk. Their superiority for labor and fattening is quite ob¬ 
vious—for beef, the Devon cross is better at three, than the others 
are at four years of age. Both Durhams and Devons had improved 
his native stock; but he thought the Devon had benefitted him the 
most. 
Mr. BEMENT said, within the last eighteen years he had had 
more or less experience with the Durhams, Devons, Herefords, Ayr- 
shires, and natives, as they are called. He had found both good and 
bad milkers among the Durhams—generally speaking, the higher 
bred they were, the less valuable they were as milkers. But he was 
satisfied it was practicable to select from certain families of the 
Short-Horns, those from which a very superior breed of milkers 
might be reared—a race perhaps superior in this respect to all oth¬ 
ers. For his land, however, which was rather sandy and light, he 
liked the Ayrshires ; and so far, was very well satisfied with them. 
He thought Durhams were better workers than had generally been 
allowed. He had seen them tried, and they did exceedingly well. 
Judge LELAND, of Steuben county, said they had tried several 
breeds in his section—-the Short-Horns, Herefords, and Devons, had 
all been there. Several years ago, Mordecai Hale, Esq., who was 
in some way connected with the U. S. Navy, sent some Herefords 
into that county; and perhaps he ought, in justice to the advocates 
of Herefords, to say that they proved the most generally useful of 
any stock they had’tried. They were very hardy, were powerful in 
| the yoke, and a decided improvement on the native stock, for the 
dairy. Comparing those Herefords with the herd owned at this time 
bv Messrs. Corning and Sotham, he thought the latter showed that 
the breed had been improved in regard to a disposition to accumu¬ 
late fat on the most valuable parts—the “ quality pieces,” as Mr. 
Sotham'had called them; but while this had been gained, it was a 
question in his mind, whether they had not lost something on the 
score of muscular strength and constitution. 
Judge L. remarked that his experience and observation had con¬ 
vinced him, that the native stock of this section would be improveu 
either by the Durhams, Herefords. or Devons—that is, a cross from 
either of these made more profitable stock for general purposes. 
The discussion was continued by Messrs. BETTS, HOWARD, 
STEVENS, and others. 
The subject of discussion at the fourth meeting was 
“ The best mode of managing and. applying Vegetable and 
Animal Manures .” 
No report of this meeting was made, but this was the less neces¬ 
sary, as the subject was continued for the fifth and sixth meet¬ 
ing, Feb. 13th and 20th. 
At the fifth meeting 
Dr. LEE opened the discussion by remarking that by the term ma 
nures, was understood any substance that might serve as food foi 
olants. The food of plants was derived partly from the soil and part¬ 
ly from the atmosphere—from the soil by means of the roots, from 
the atmosphere by the leaves. If it be an organized substance, it 
must undergo decomposition. For instance, one spire of grass can¬ 
not enter into the composition of another spire—it must be dissolved. 
Tt is most important in the preparation of manures, that while this 
decomposition should be thoroughly performed, none of ihe manure 
should be lost. It is for this purpose that comoost heaps are made 
