1852 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
35 
longs to those of longer standing, and upon which more 
elaborate attention has been bestowed. Nor can a per¬ 
fect system of Agriculture be expected. There is such 
a variety in soils, so much that is variable and condition¬ 
al in climate and seasons, that it is difficult to determine 
whether apparent results are referable to peculiar cir¬ 
cumstances or invariable laws. So long as the earth 
continues her revolutions, will there be changes in the 
practice of cultivation, and the capacity of the soil will 
never be so fully known that no undeveloped power will 
be latent in it; yet, that there are certain fixed princi¬ 
ples in Agriculture, alike operative under all circum¬ 
stances, and in all climates, no well informed mind can 
doubt. Now' so far as accurate observation has estab¬ 
lished these principles, so far is Agriculture a Science— 
i.e., so much is known, on which all may safely rely, a 
fact to which they may refer for authority ; and so fast 
as farther experiment reveals other determinate laws, 
just so fast will the science progress. 
The community has long felt the need of some means 
of ascertaining definitely what is principle, and what 
mere conjecture and hypothesis, in all that is written on 
improved systems of Agriculture. If profound and 
practical knowledge is ever to take the place of empiri¬ 
cism, it must be by fundamental instruction in the first 
rudiments of science,—as we have defined the term,— 
and who can impart this instruction, if not those who 
rank among our scientific men, and add to minute and 
long observation, high talent and ripe culture? It is to 
such men, we must look for authority, and by them be 
guided in investigation; and it wall be no little advance 
in agriculture, to be well assured that the true founda¬ 
tion is laid, on which every intelligent farmer must build 
for himself. 
It is with a view to teach the application of science to 
practical agriculture, to form a nucleus for inquiring 
farmers, that the Trustees of the University of Albany 
have organized a department exclusively for this purpose. 
Prof. John P. Norto’n will deliver a course of lectures, 
commencing the second Tuesday of January, comprising 
“a complete outline of the best system of modern Agri¬ 
culture,” embracing the general structure and growth 
of plants,—the composition of soils, and how affected by 
different manures,—the elements of barn-yard, mineral 
and artificial manures,—an analysis of the products of the 
soil, showing their properties and value,—the composi¬ 
tion of milk, butter, and cheese, and the best method of 
feeding and fattening animals. That these lectures will 
be eminently practical, reliable and instructive, the well- 
earned reputation of Prof. Norton, is a sufficient guar¬ 
antee. 
Prof. James Hall, of the N. Y. Geological Survey, 
will deliver a course of lectures, on the bearing of Geolo¬ 
gy on Agriculture, conveying a fund of information that 
no one should be without. 
Dr. Henry Goad by announces a partial course on En¬ 
tomology, taking up the importance of a knowledge of 
insects to the agriculturist, the injuries caused by them 
to crops and fruits, &c. Prof. Goadby has recently 
closed a course of lectures in this city, and no one who 
listened to them, can doubt the accuracy of his know¬ 
ledge, or fail to be pleased with his elegant style. 
These lectures are not designed for the advanced scholar 
or the young student merely, but for the working farmer, 
and all who wish to inform themselves on these subjects. 
They are especially adapted to young men, who are en¬ 
gaged in active agricultural pursuits. The clergyman, 
teacher, lawyer and physician are required to pursue a 
course of study to fit themselves for the practice of their 
profession, and why should the profession of Agriculture 
be entered upon, with no preparation, and with no higher 
purpose than “ to get a living?” A marked distinction 
is every where made, between a thoroughly read prac- 
tioner and a quack, and this distinction is now very pro¬ 
perly carried into farming. When three months atten¬ 
dance on instruction will give one an insight into the 
principles of Scientific Agriculture, and furnish data for 
life-long research, we cannot believe that an ambitious, 
right-minded young man, will “ settle down” to plod in 
the old beaten track. The narrowest policy would dic¬ 
tate a course the most profitable, in which the greatest 
income might be secured with the least outlay, and 
when, to a system of profit and loss are added the laud¬ 
able ambition of promoting sound, practical knowledge 
and self-culture, it becomes a privilege and a duty to use 
all possible means for improvement—to lead a ^rational 
and not mechanical life. 
We trust that a scheme so admirably adapted to the 
wants of the public, will not fail for lack of ready sup¬ 
port, and that the time is not far distant when our farm¬ 
ers will be as desirous to send their most promising sobs 
to an agricultural school, as they now are to our law and 
medical schools. [See advertisement.] 
--- 
Cranberries on Upland. 
The question whether cranberries can be grown advan¬ 
tageously on upland, is not, probably, fully settled. A 
correspondent of the New-England Farmer, referring to 
several articles, says—“the feasibility of growing this 
fruit on upland, is beyond a doubt; but of the expedien¬ 
cy of it, as a matter of profitable culture, I am not fully 
advised.” The Prairie Farmer states that it has been 
tried in that vicinity, and says—“ we tried the vines very 
faithfully, as did others in this region, all with the same, 
or similar success. Our vines did grow for a while, but 
gradually got tired of it, and gave out by degrees; they 
never gave us any fruit. They were plainly not at home.” 
The most encouraging information we have seen in re¬ 
gard to success of cranberries on upland , is in a com¬ 
munication of Paul Hathaway, North-Middleborougli, 
Mass., in the Ploughman of Dec. 6th, last. He states 
that he has an acre of cranberry vines on upland, set 
out in 1845 and 1846—that they have borne fruit every 
since they were set out. But he gives no definite state¬ 
ment in regard to quantity of fruit produced. He says 
he has had a “good supply” for himself and others, and 
this year “ sold a few at two dollars a bushel.” He left 
the vines, after they were set out, to “ take their own 
way,” and they have obtained full possession of the 
ground—some of them having run seven feet. We have 
no particular description of the soil, and know not 
whether it is moist or dry. Some writers say they should 
be manured with bog muck, or peat, every year or two* 
Let us have more results. 
