1852 
THE CULTIVATOR, 
267 
in the neighborhood; same of oats, of rye, buckwheat, 
&c., &c., actual measurement to be taken, instead of cart 
loads ; the usual value of cows in the fall; the usual va¬ 
lue of same animals in the spring; what a farmer gets 
therefore, for wintering said animals; the value of each 
farmer’s hay, stalks, grain, &c., in the fall; the value of 
stock in the fall; the value of his stock in the spring, 
after consuming his hay, grain, &c.. &c.; what his cows 
realized for him in the shape of milk and butter, during 
the season; how much nett profit they make him after 
deducting all expenses; the number of pounds that a 
bushel of corn weighs each year; same of wheat, rye, 
oats, buckwheat, See., &c. These, and a hundred other 
questions of practical value, might be proposed at the va¬ 
rious meetings. Let a number of farmers present take 
three or four of these questions at each meeting, and an¬ 
swer them as far as practicable, at the next meeting. 
Some of them would require a season to test them in™ 
they can be given out and reported upon at the next win¬ 
ter meetings. These meetings will act as aids to the 
county agricultural societies, and through their means 
many men may be induced to join those valuable institu¬ 
tions, who would otherwise give themselves no trouble 
about them. The various questions may one and all of 
them have been tested by many intelligent and reading 
farmers, but I am pretty certain few so called practical 
farmers, have ever taken the pains to try any of them. 
Let such plain questions be once fairly put to trial, and 
I think the result would be a mass of facts that could not 
fail of being greatly beneficial to the interest of the far¬ 
mers in their respective neighborhoods. We would then 
know better than most men, how to shape our course. 
By this means, a change in the mode of farming in some 
districts, might be brought about, and a more profitable 
course than the one pursued, might be adopted. What 
was proved to be unprofitable in one part of our country, 
would be left to be pursued in another, where it could be 
done with more advantage. 
Many other things suggest themselves, but we will leave 
them to the reflecting minds of those noble spirits, a few 
of whom may be found in almost every neighborhood, 
who are wrapped up in the great cause of agriculture, 
and whose hearts are beating with high hopes and aspi¬ 
rations to elevate that noble, but hitherto down-trodden 
calling. H. C. W. Putnam Vulley, N. Y., 1852. 
Agricultural Education. 
What can be done with Present Means. —While 
much has been said, both wisely and unwisely, concern¬ 
ing the establishment of great Agricultural Schools; and 
while all attempts towards their endowment by state 
funds, have signally failed—is it not well to consider 
what can be accomplished with existing means? The es¬ 
tablishment of Agricultural Colleges, is certainly, on all 
accounts, desirable; and it is to be hoped that the friends 
of agriculture will rally upon their next legislatures, in 
full force, and carry their measures in New-York and 
Massachusetts, at least. But we have already the means 
with which to work a vast change, and one scarcely less 
great, than any contemplated institution could perform. 
Our Common Schools are the starting point. Here 
let the efforts of the friends of rational husbandry com¬ 
mence. Are there not enough readers of the Cultivator, 
and kindred publications, in one-half the school districts 
of this state, to discuss the subject of agricultural educa¬ 
tion, in the school meetings? Let care be taken that 
trustees and superintendents of the common schools, be 
instructed to secure and encourage teachers who will in. 
struct in scientific agriculture. 
Let our County Ag. Societies secure the services of 
some competent person to attend teacher’s institutes, and 
communicate instructions and enthusiasm to teachers, so 
as to fit them more perfectly to teach farmer’s sons. 
Let them also offer premiums to teachers, and classes, 
who shall teach and learn the most, and the best of this 
subject. 
I should like to see such an announcement as the fol¬ 
lowing from the Lewis Co. Agricultural Society: 
u For the encouragement of the study of Agriculture in 
our common schools, the society offers the following pre¬ 
miums to teachers and scholars, to be awarded at the 
county fair, Sept. 1853. 
1st premium. To each member of the class, not to ex¬ 
ceed 10 in number, that evinces the best knowledge of 
Prof. Norton’s Elements of Scientific Agriculture, a 
copy of Johnston’s Lectures on Ag. Chemistry and 
Geology. To the teacher, Stephen’s Farmer’s Guide. 
2d premium. To each member of the second best class 
not exceeding ten, Thomas’ Fruit Culturist. To the 
teacher, Colman’s European Agriculture. Classes to be 
examined by their teachers, before a questioning and a 
judging committee, consisting of D. P. Mayhew, A. M., 
principal of Lowville Academy, Hon. Francis Seger, and 
Rev. Calvin Yale, town superintendent of Martinsburgh.” 
Would that the quotation marks that enclose the above 
paragraph, were warranted! Would not such premiums 
give impulse to the study of agriculture? Would not 
as much interest be excited in such an exhibition, as in 
that of farm products, or of embroidery, or of plowing 
matches? 
I cannot forbear here remarking, that the substitution 
of useful books, or farm and horticultural implements, 
for money premiums, would accomplish vast good in 
raising the tone of agricultural practice. There is no 
reason why farmers should not have money from other 
sources, and every reason why they should have good 
books, from such a source, embodying the experience of 
many, with reference to their pursuits, and which, instead 
of being merged into the general currency, shall always 
be before a man as an evidence and remembrancer of 
merit. 
What county society will first pronounce these sug¬ 
gestions good, and act upon them? 
Teachers who love your profession, and have zeal to 
honor it,—a word to you. 
In li the rural districts” nine-tenths of the children 
you instruct are farmer’s sons and daughters, full of ro¬ 
bust health, blessing you with the beaming of bright eyes, 
and the joyous music of happy voices. Do you desire 
that they,—full of innocence and strength,—should grow 
up to the noble inheritance of a sound mind in a sound 
body;” that they should honor the art that is the earliest 
and best? Be not content to let them pass into life— 
either the life of the farmer, or that of a profession- 
