THE CULTIVATOR. 
139 
The pleasures of the mind, resulting from the conscious performance 
of acts of good will to man, far exceed those which spring from the 
indulgence of our animal appetites. This principle holds good, not 
only as regards our mental enjoyments, but the pecuniary prosperi¬ 
ty, and general intelligence of a community, serve to promote the 
good of every individual, in a pecuniary, political and moral point of 
view,—by promoting industry and social order, and multiplying the 
courtesies and comforts of life. 
Wealth and knowledge are but the means of happiness. It is 
the mode of applying them that renders them a blessing to the com¬ 
munity, and a source of genuine happiness to the individual. Where 
they are employed to administer to bad passions,—to pamper fash¬ 
ionable vices,—or to oppress and degrade the ignorant and the 
weak,—they then serve to contaminate public morals, and to inflict 
on society the most calamitous evils. But where, on the other 
hand, they are employed in furthering public improvements,—to 
strengthen and encourage the weak,—to instruct the ignorant,—to 
teach, by example as well as precept, exemplary habits :—when, in 
fine, they are applied, as philanthropy and Christianity admonish us 
they should be, in furthering the happiness of a community—of a 
state—of a nation—of the human family—then they become truly 
both public and private blessings. 
We seldom stop to inquire, how greatly we are dependent upon 
others for the enjoyments of life. Take, by way of illustrating our 
dependence upon others, the case of the merchant. He depends, 
for the sale of his goods, and the profits of his business, upon the 
custom of the farmer, mechanic and manufactureer, who make up 
most of the population of his neighborhood. If these are poor, 
from habits of indolence, from a want of competent knowledge to ma¬ 
nage their affairs with profit, or from indulgence in extravagance or 
dissipation, his business must be limited, and his profits trifling.— 
But transform this community into intelligent, industrious and sober 
men, and how soon and how greatly his prospects change. Every 
thriving neighbor adds to his business, and increases the means of 
his enjoyment. How deep an interest, then, should the merchant 
feel, in promoting the prosperity of all around him—in diffusing use¬ 
ful knowledge, and in inculcating good habits. The same depen¬ 
dence exists throughout all the classes of society. Each class, and 
each individual, therefore best promote their own good, by promot¬ 
ing the good of the whole community. 
BERKSHIRE CATTLE SHOW. 
Although it would not comport with the plan of our publication, to 
take cognizance of the many cattle shows which are annually held 
where the Cultivator circulates, yet that of Berkshire is always en¬ 
titled to a passing notice, as being a pioneer in the good work, and 
as deserving high commendation for the commendable spirit with 
which it has been sustained, and the great improvements which it 
has produced, in the agricultural, moral and intellectual condition of 
the county. 
The 26th anniversary of the Berkshire Agricultural Society, was 
held on the 5th and 6th ult. and although the weather on both days 
was wet and disagreeable, yet the attendance was larger, and the 
show of animals more numerous, than on any former occasion.— 
About 150 premiums, amounting in the aggregate, to more than 
$600, were awarded to successful competitors. Of this amount, 
$165 were premiums on crops, eight of which were awarded on 
crops of ruta baga—$28 on the products of the dairy—$250 on ani¬ 
mats—$40 on ploughing, and $125 on manufactures. The reports 
of the committees indicate a progressive improvement in the various 
departments of mental as well as of rural culture. That of the 
committee on agriculture, is particularly flattering in these points 
of view, as will be noticed in the following quotation ; 
« The uncommon severity of the late winter,” say the committee, 
“ has injured or destroyed most of our fine fruit trees. If we wish 
to enjoy the health-giving luxury of delicious fruits, and do good for 
others,* we must continue to plant and engraft fruit trees of the 
* This brings to mind the oft-repeated excuse for not planting trees, viz: 
that he, the planter, may not live to enjoy the fruits. The excuse is misan¬ 
thropic, and repugnant alike to duty and to interest. If our fathers had been 
influenced by this spirit of selfishness, how stinted would have been our 
“ health-giving luxury” of enjoying delicious fruits? Let us requite the obli¬ 
gations we owe to our ancestors, by conferring greater ones upon the next ge¬ 
neration. So far as mercenary views are to govern, they decidedly urge to 
planting: For what adds more to the intrinsic value of an estate, than an 
abundance of choice fruits? Fifty dollars expended in planting, will give a 
better return to our children, or heirs, in money, to say nothine of the “ health¬ 
giving luxury” which it will imparl to them, than the like sum loaned on in- 
finest varieties. Tbe farmer should never despair^; it is no part of 
the character of a good farmer, to be fickle or desponding. There 
were more than 60 applicants for agricultural premiums, [on crops.] 
Inquiry was made by the oldest member of the committee of each 
one—whether in the management of their farms they used ardent 
spirits? Of the whole number, there were but two who used this 
fearful poison—a fact that tells well for the high moral advancement 
in the holy cause of temperance, of the leading farmers of old Berk¬ 
shire. Your committee have observed an air of neatness and im¬ 
provement in the cultivation of our farms: a spirit of inquiry, a desire 
for improvement is abroad among our farmers ; many of them take 
agricultural papers, abounding with useful information. Your com¬ 
mittee would respectfully recommend the Cultivator, as a very cheap 
and very useful agricultural paper, published at Albany, and worthy 
the patronage of our farmers. It seems to be the generous and lau¬ 
dable ambition of many, very many, of our agricultural brethren, to 
respect themselves, and by doing good and communicating good, by 
promoting education, temperance, refinement and good morals, to ex¬ 
alt AND DIGNIFY THE ANCIENT AND NOBLE PROFESSION TO WHICH THEY 
BELONG.” 
GORDON’S GAZETTEER OF NEW-YORK. 
This is a new publication, of 900 pages 8vo. We have had time 
only to give a cursory examination to a copy of this work, politely 
presented to us by the author But even this slight perusal has sa¬ 
tisfied us, that it is a work of standard merit, and comprises a mass 
of information, no where else to be found in a condensed form, of 
great value, and of practical use, to the farmer, and to every man of 
business in the community. It contains an excellent map of the 
state, a map of each county, and maps of the cities and principal 
villages. It is published by the author, Thomas F. Gordon, a gen¬ 
tleman of high standing and literary acquirements. The work com¬ 
prises, 
I. A concise history of the state, from its colonization down to 
the adoption of the federal constitution—well adapted for the youth 
of the age, as well hs for men of maturer years, who have not yet 
studied our history—all important to be known by every man who 
exercises the privileges of a freeman.' This history occupies about 
100 pages of the work. 
II. A Gazetteer, containing, 
1. A physical description of the state, its general boundaries, 
subdivisions, mountains, vales, planes, &c. 
A particular notice of the St. Lawrence basin, comprising the 
country whose waters empty into that river and the great lakes— 
and of the valley of the Hudson, and of its tributaries. 
Notice of rivers flowing southward—Delaware, Susquehannah, 
Allegany. 
Geology—formations, mineral constituents, soils, condition of agri¬ 
culture, &c. 
Climate—embracing meteorological tables, &c. 
Internal improvements. 
2. Political view—explaining the structure of our government, 
enumerating its officers and their duties—and embracing an abstract 
of our laws in regard to taxation, to the militia, to public health 
and public instruction—the regulations of trade and of internal po¬ 
lice—in regard to time, weights and measures, and of money of ac¬ 
count—to incorporations, to the judiciary, to the criminal code, to 
jails, penitentiaries and houses of refuge, and to pauperism—and 
embracing also numerous statistical tables, in regard to population, 
manufactures, live stock, &c. 
3. Topography—describing each county, town and village in the 
state—its central distance from Washington and Albany—its popu¬ 
lation, manufactures, improvements, and whatever is most likely to 
interest the reader. 
We have spoken thus largely of the contents of this book, in order 
to show its adaptation to the wants and business of our inhabitants, 
and to recommend it particularly to their notice and their patronage. 
" BUTTER. 
The following remarks upon the manufacture and preservation of 
Butter, were written by the conductor some three or four years 
ago. With some slight alterations, they are now submitted to the 
readers of the Cultivator, as containing the most essential rules to 
be observed in the management of this important household art: 
terest—even compound interest. Apples have become almost us useful in the 
economy of the household and the farm, as corn; and they are raised with far 
less labor, and are probably more certain in their product. 
