for ttje itoittli. 
Farm Implements, and the Principles of their Con¬ 
struction and Use; an Elementary and Familiar 
Treatise on Mechanics, and on Natural Philosophy 
generally, as applied to the ordinary Practices of 
Agriculture. With 200 engraved Illustrations. By 
J. J. Thomas. Harper & Brothers, New-York. 
This is a beautiful volume of 268 pages, which came 
to hand too late for suitable notice this week. We 
shall hereafter itotice it at length. In the meantime 
we copy the following from the New-York Evangelist 
of last week. 
Farm Implements. —An essay prepared for the 
New-York State Agr. Society, with this title, has 
been issued, which has a more than ordinary value. 
It is a practical elucidation of the principles of Natu¬ 
ral Philosophy brought into use by the various farm¬ 
ing implements and agricultural machinery now in 
vogue. The author is both farmer and scholar; and 
he has gone into an explanation of the philosophy of 
all the every-day implements of the farm, with the 
design of making it familiar to the commonest under¬ 
standing. The advantages of agricultural machinery 
could in no other way be so clearly demonstrated. It 
abounds in illustrations, and is written in a simple, 
straightforward style, adapted to impart dignity and 
intelligence to this earliest, and noblest of human call¬ 
ings. (Harper & Brothers.) 
We desire to call the attention of our readers 
to the valuable communication published this week 
from our correspondent, Mr. S. W. Johnson, who is, 
we are hapoy to learn, now prosecuting his studies un¬ 
der the celebrated Liebig, at Munich. His paper will 
be found exceedingly interesting and full of informa¬ 
tion. We should be glad if any of our scientific men 
would take the trouble to perform some of the experi¬ 
ments which he suggests, and the importance of which 
will be apparent to every reader of his careful and 
able reasoning. We trust ere long'the theory and prac¬ 
tice of agriculture will both receive that minute study 
and accurate investigation which they now need so 
much, and which can alone make them accord in in¬ 
creasing the profits and elevating the social position of 
the farmer. The obstacles now in the way of this 
much to-be desired result do not consist, so much as 
formerly, in the farmer’s opposition to the application 
of science to his craft; they are the same that impede 
the first steps of progress in every art,—the safe teach¬ 
ings of science are carried to unsafe extremes ; inter¬ 
ested quackery and dishonest charlatanism rush for¬ 
ward for gain, until the true aim of science is forgotten 
and reproach is brought upon its teachings. 
Importation of Silesian Sheep. —We are happy 
to be able to announce that Mr. Geo. W. Campbell of 
Westminster West, Vt., and Mr. Chamberlain of 
Red Hook, have just received in good condition 60 Si¬ 
lesian Ewes and 13 Bucks, by the steamer Washington. 
Mr. Wm. H. Ladd of Richmond, 0., has, as we learn, 
taken an equal interest with Messrs. Campbell and 
Chamberlain in this and future importations. He is 
an excellent judge of animals; and it is his opinion 
that the Silesian is the breed of sheep best adapted to 
the wants of the American farmer. He contemplates 
soon making a visit to Silesia for the selection and im¬ 
portation of the best specimens of the breed to be ob¬ 
tained. ---- 
Butter from an Ayrshire Yearling. —An Ayr¬ 
shire Heifer belonging to the herd of E. P. Prentice, 
Esq. of Mount Hope, only seventeen months and three 
days old, and weighing herself 550 lbs. produced, du¬ 
ring the last week in May, 9f lbs. of butter. She had 
nothing but the ordinary grass feed of the other cattle. 
Transactions ®f the Royal Hawaiian Ag. Soci¬ 
ety. —We are indebted to J. S. Gower, of Makawao, 
East Maui, for a copy of the Transactions of the Roy¬ 
al Agricultural Society of the Sandwich islands. It 
is a neatly printed octavo of 170 pages, and is filled 
with the reports of the officers and committees of the 
society, its list of premiums, and the address of the 
President at the last annual meeting, Jnne, 1853. 
The past year is represented to have been one of com¬ 
parative agricultural prosperity, and the reports show 
that praiseworthy efforts are making to render the cul¬ 
tivation of the soil a more safe and profitable calling. 
The produce of sugar on these islands amounted the 
last year to $100,000, and the crop for the coming year 
promises to be twice as large. Still, says the secretary, 
“ we have thousands of acres of first-rate cane lands 
now vacant and idle, which with capital, enterprise, 
and labor, are capable of producing enough to pay for 
all the goods we import.” The raising of wheat is re¬ 
ceiving attention, and it is hoped that bread-stuffs will 
soon be raised in sufficient quantity to supply the home 
demand. The cultivation of Indian corn and potatoes 
is carried on to a greater extent than ever before, and 
the experience of every year is teaching the natives 
how to obviate the disadvantages of their soil and 
seasons, and secure more abundant crops. The culture 
of Fruit, particularly of the vine, is urged as adapted 
to the soil of these lands, and experiments are making 
in that direction. Animals of the best breeds, horses, 
cattle, sheep and swine, have been imported to a limit¬ 
ed extent, and in short, those who have charge of the 
society, seem determined to leave no stone unturned in 
the way of improvement. These efforts are the more 
praiseworthy from the fact that there are many natu¬ 
ral, as well as artificial difficulties to be overcome in 
elevating the character of the agricalture of these isl¬ 
ands. The results, thus far, are most hopeful, and we 
trust that the good work so spiritedly commenced will 
be persevered in with continued energy. 
Old State Hall. —The Legislature has appropria¬ 
ted $25,000, for the enlargement and re-modeling of- 
the old State Hall, occupied by the Geological Muse 
urn and the State Ag. Society. The improvements con¬ 
templated are to be under the charge of the Com 
missioners of the Land Office, and will we trust, be 
completed soon. They will add increased attractions 
and value to the extensive collection of Geological and 
other specimens, as well as the long needed facilities 
for the Museum of the State Ag. Society. 
