THE CULTIVATOR. 
April 
128 
opinion based? If the theory is established, unques¬ 
tionably many facts may be adduced, seeming to cor¬ 
roborate it; but the question is, upon what facts is it 
established ? 
Now I have the experience of the best shepherd of 
my acquaintance, and who has no superior in Ohio, upon 
this subject. He does not deny that this may be the 
true sign and result of breeding in-and-in, but says he 
has no sufficient evidence; on the contrary, his own ob¬ 
servation contradicts it. His flock is one of the oldest 
in the state. About fifteen years ago, this peculiarity 
prevailed to a considerable extent in his flock; there had 
never been any in-and-in breeding whatever; but now 
he attempted to breed it out, and used for this purpose 
rams from his own ewes, but of foreign rams. In a 
few years this fault disappeared, in consequence of his 
breeding in reference to it. 
It is an opinion that breeding in, has a tendency to 
render the wool harsh. This is believed by many ex¬ 
cellent shepherds. Now, is it not true that to a great 
extent, animals are in the care of the breeder as clay 
in the hands of the potter? You may breed horns on 
your flock, or breed them off—woolly legs or bare legs— 
long wool or short—close or open. May not this pe¬ 
culiarity of the shoulders be a similar trait, which may 
be bred in or out at pleasure ? And is not the above 
Instance a pretty clear evidence that this result of inter¬ 
breeding may be obliterated by the very course which is 
said to produce it ? 
In agriculture, emphatically, experience should be 
the lamp to direct our path, and it is facts we want. 
Just,now the growing of fine wool is engrossing the at¬ 
tention of the people of eastern and northern Ohio, and 
whatever relates to the subject is of vital importance. 
Our hill land in the county of Washington, yields ex¬ 
cellent pasture for sheep, and upon the bottom lands we 
suffer, the grass to grow upon the meadows without 
pasturing until winter, as this aftermath affords the 
best winter feed in our mild climate. Sheep are very 
healthy here, and this winter, thus far, have done 
well. Dab wm E. Gardner. Marietta , Ohio , Feb. 
1, 1847. . 
Mount Airy Agricultural College. —We have 
received from James Gowen, Esq., a copy of a pros¬ 
pectus for the establishment of an Agricultural College, 
to be located on his estate called Mount Airy, near 
Philadelphia. Mr. G. is a gentleman possessed of 
abundant means for carrying on such an institution, and 
he 1ms for a long time taken a deep interest in rural af¬ 
fairs, and zealously devoted himself to the advancement 
of agriculture and horticulture. In this laudable under¬ 
taking, we are confident he has been influenced by no 
motive of speculation or pecuniary gain. Want of 
space prevents our giving the prospectus entire, though 
the principal outlines of the plan are shown in the fol¬ 
lowing:— Eds. 
To educate youth in the leading branches of popular 
learning as taught in our Colleges, with the addition of 
practical and theoretical Agriculture and Horticulture, 
with their attendant sciences, the undersigned contem¬ 
plates founding an Agricultural College at Mount Airy, 
his residence, eight miles from the city of Philadelphia, 
a site favorably known for its healthiness and beauty, 
and as having- until recently been, for many years, a 
seat of learning, and now in gardens, grounds and build¬ 
ings, admirably suited for the purpose. 
Students will be admitted at ten years old and up¬ 
wards. The young pupils in the elementary branches of 
the scholastic department will receive special and partic¬ 
ular attention. The more advanced in } T ears and learn¬ 
ing, on entering, will declassed according to their quali¬ 
fications, and all will be carried forward as rapidly and 
understandingly as practicable, to a perfect and thorough 
completion. In the Agricultural department a similar 
classification will be made in view of the age and capa¬ 
city of the students, and their exercises proportioned 
accordingly. The exercise or labor of all however, will 
amount to no more than will be deemed necessary for 
healthful recreation and change, to diversify and lighten 
the monotonous and depressing drudgery of the mere 
student. In this way, by a varied course of study, rural 
exercise, and popular lectures, it is intended to accom¬ 
plish the important work, and to give to Agriculture an 
impulse that cannot fail to raise it to the rank it. should 
assume, and ought to hold throughout the land. 
These views are respectfully submitted by way of 
prospectus, affording a glance at the aims and merits of 
the contemplated Institution, and for the purpose of 
eliciting such share of patronage as will encourage the 
undersigned to carry out his long cherished design. If 
therefore eighty students shall offer, on or before the 
first day of July next, he will open the college on the 
first day of September following, with a faculty com¬ 
bining the best talent, both in literature and rural 
economy. 
The terms will be two hundred dollars per annum for 
board and tuition, payable half-yearly in advance—no 
extras, except for modern languages, for which it may 
be necessary to make some additional charge, all of 
which, when properly matured, will be stated in a spe¬ 
cial prospectus, when the requisite number of students 
shall appear to be forthcoming. 
Parents wishing to avail themselves of this plan ©f 
educating their sons, will please address James Gowen, 
Mount Airy, Philadelphia, stating age and acquirements 
in learning. It is requested that early application bo 
made, as the opening of the college is contingent upon 
the number of students offering, and as much of the 
materiel necessary to its perfect organization must be 
withheld until it is ascertained that sufficient patronage 
will be accorded. 
A word as to the undersigned himself.—To those who 
know him ’tis needless to say, that this great underta¬ 
king is prompted by no interested motive whatever; for 
all the capital to be employed, and all the trouble and 
anxiety incurred, he expects not a dollar by way of 
profit or remuneration for his services. He therefore 
wishes to stand in the proper attitude before all, and 
leave to all the means of making a fair estimate, and 
coming to a proper determination so far as they may 
feel interested. James Gowen. Feb. 22, 1847. 
Steaming Apparatus. —I want to erect a steaming 
apparatus, to steam at least 100 bushels of chaff', or 
cut straw, together with such other feed as I want to 
mix up, say the whole not less than 100 bushels, at on© 
steaming. Now, if any of your numerous subscribers 
have such an one, I should be obliged by their giving a 
full description of the same through the Cultivator, 
with the cost exclusive of the building, and if at not too 
great a distance, I would go and see it. I know that 
straw or chaff scalded is much better feed than dry . but 
this is too much work where there is a large stock, and 
I think steaming would be much more economical. By 
giving this in your April Cultivator, you will much 
oblige A Subscriber. 
[We are unable to say where such an apparatus as 
is above inquired'for can be found, but insert the com¬ 
munication in the hope that it may be the means of 
bringing out the desired information, as well as the 
opinions of our readers in regard to the profit of steam- 
food for stock.— Eds.] .. 
A Roaring Fountain. —The highest fountain in 
the world, is on the grounds of the Duke of Devonshire, 
in England, where a single jet is thrown up to a height 
of 267 feet—more than 100 feet higher than Niagara 
Falls. The eight acre reservoir which supplies it. is 
389 feet above. 
