THE CULTIVATOR. 
23 
and we are confident that nearly every one, the situation 
of whose farm renders such conveniences desirable, 
may, by turning his attention to the subject, readily be 
provided with them, and at an expense scarcely worthy 
of being named. 
WHEAT. 
Every thing relating to this plant, its production, cul¬ 
tivation, and improvement, must always be of paramount 
interest to the farmer of the middle and northern states, 
as well as those of the vast west, as on this crop the coun¬ 
try not only relies for bread, but also for one of its most 
available articles, next to cotton, for the purposes of expor¬ 
tation. Western New-York has justly become celebrated 
for its beautiful wheat, and the excellence of its flour, an 
eminence which it is hoped will be long retained, and we 
think certainly will be, if the modes of culture best 
adapted for the production of this crop, are adopted and 
persevered in by our citizens, and pains taken to im¬ 
prove our varieties by proper selections at home, or im¬ 
portations of approved kinds from abroad. It should be 
borne in mind, however, that a Variety producing ex¬ 
cellent grain in England, will not necessarily succeed 
here;—causes existing in the nature of the climate 
and seasons may prevent this; neither should the fail- 
ure for the first year induce the rejection of a promising 
variety, as it is well known that acclimization is as 
much required by plants as by animals. 
We imagine that the best method of improving our 
varieties of wheat will be by selection, choosing one or 
more heads that appear to combine the greatest number 
of desirable qualities as it regards the berry, flour, 
length and shape of ear, quality and stiffness of straw, 
hardihood, and apparent liability to disease, and culti¬ 
vating from these alone. We cannot doubt that in the 
hands of a man of Science, skill, and observation, re¬ 
sults might thus be produced as favorable to the produc¬ 
tion of wheat in the United States, as the same course 
of labor, in the hands of Le Gasca, and Le Conteur, 
have proved to the agriculturists of England and Eu¬ 
rope. We have scarcely heard of a sustained and well 
conducted effort to improve our varieties by selection: 
and but very few to effect an increase of our crops, by 
the introduction from abroad of new kinds, and tho¬ 
roughly testing their qualities. The kind of wheat call¬ 
ed in Cayuga county the Canada flint, and in Ononda¬ 
ga county the Cummings wheat, from the name of the 
gentleman who introduced it, and which is rapidly ta¬ 
king the place of the common flint wheat, is unquestiona¬ 
bly an English wheat, introduced into Canada, acclima¬ 
ted, and from thence brought, as we know it was, to the 
United States. We are assured by extensive farmers, 
that their wheat of the new variety, produced from one- 
fifth to one-third more per acre than the old flint wheat 
in equally favorable circumstances; and hence we may 
judge of the immense value that would have been added 
to the wheat crop of the state, had that variety, instead of 
the old, been generally used for seed the previous year. 
That wheat will degenerate is unquestionable; the experi¬ 
ments of Le Gasca place the matter beyond a doubt; and 
that new varieties may be made to take the place of the 
old, is equally certain. The cause of degeneracy is pro¬ 
bably to be found in the want of proper care on the part 
of the farmer in the selection of his seed; and on this 
point he should take a lesson from nature, whose pro¬ 
ductions are, when the action is not interfered with, usu¬ 
ally from the most vigorous and healthy seeds alone, 
these by their natural vigor taking and maintaining the 
precedence of all others. 
But our object in commencing these remarks was not 
so much an essay on wheat culture, as to call attention 
to the communication below from a gentleman, who, by 
the successful experiment he has made in introducing a 
new variety of spring wheat, has shown not only the 
practicability but the feasibility of such undertakings. 
Some'of the wheat grown by Col. Abbott the past season, 
was, we understand, exhibited at the Onondaga Co. cattle 
show and fair, and excited much notice from its fine ap¬ 
pearance and its origin. We raised a number of bush¬ 
els of this wheat from seed obtained from Col. Abbott, 
and find its qualities to correspond with those so well 
described by him. The contrast in the brightness of 
the straw, and freedom from lodging, between this 
wheat and some Italian wheat sowed beside it, was strik¬ 
ing. It was slightly shrunk, however, as was spring 
wheat generally. The wheat of Col. , Abbott, which we 
had the pleasure of seeing at his residence, is the finest 
spring wheat we have noticed this season; berry full 
and bright. 
“ Editors of the Cultivator :—According to the 
promise made in the 6th No. page 82, of the Monthly 
Genesee Farmer, for 1839, in a paper relating to the 
conversion of winter into spring wheat, I enclose you 
the result of my experience with the new wheat the 
past season. 
“ It proves to be the best wheat I have raised this 
season, both in quality and in quantity. It retains many 
of its primitive winter wheat qualities, and is inferior 
in no respect, to the very best varieties of spring wheat 
yet known among us. In the same field, sowed the 
same day, the product of the new wheat was one and a 
half to one of the Italian, and while the latter was very 
badly lodged, the new variety stood erect, a bright stiff 
straw, that good judges might very readily have mis¬ 
taken for fine winter wheat. 
“ I have never had so large a yield of wheat as many 
writers relate, but I have grown good wheat; and the 
present experiment produced attherate of twenty-eight 
bushels per acre. By comparing the quantity and qua¬ 
lity of this new production with the other varieties of 
spring wheat, I feel myself amply repaid for the labor 
of the experiment. It has shown me that new varieties 
can be produced, as old ones degenerate; and that the 
experimental farmer, may, by care and attention, pro¬ 
duce the very best kinds of seed on his own farm. 
“Yours, truly, W. ABBOTT. 
“Otisco, Onondaga , 1839.” 
Agricultural Societies, Addresses, &c« 
mr. garnett’s address at Frederick. 
Among the many distinguished Virginians to whom 
that state is deeply indebted for the unceasing efforts 
they have made to place her agriculture on a high and 
secure footing, there are two eminently deserving of the 
respect such men are sure to receive, one of whom is 
Edmund Ruffin, the indefatigable and able editor of the 
Farmers’ Register ; and the other, the worthy president 
of the Frederickburg Agricultural Society, James M. 
Garnett, whose address before the Society on their late, 
or twenty-second anniversary, is now before us. Such 
men deserve well of their country, as their labors are 
of more service than that of the whole of our politi¬ 
cians ; since the efforts of the last only relate to the dis¬ 
posal of the wealth of the country; the object and result 
of the labors of the first is to increase it. 
The address of Mr. Garnett is principally occupied 
with an interesting detail of experiments conducted by 
himself on a variety of articles, such as corn, roots, 
broom-corn, &c. &c. and in stating the conclusions to 
which he arrived. One of the most interesting of these 
experiments was the one instituted between the Baden 
and the Dutton corn; or rather its continuation from 
last year. Mr. Garnett comes to the conclusion that 
neither are exactly adapted to that climate and latitude. 
Some of the results stated by Mr. Garnett are the fol¬ 
lowing. The Dutton corn which last year was a dwarf 
compared with the Baden and others, this year rivalled 
in height all the varieties cultivated, the Baden excepted, 
which it fully equalled in size and number of ears ; thus 
showing the influence which climate exerts on plants. 
Another result was, that the Dutton corn, though the 
earliest, was considerably changed by the Baden, many 
white grains being mixed with the yellow, whereas no 
yellow grains were mingled with the white of the latter. 
This disposition of corn to mix and form hybrids should 
receive more attention from the farmer. In stating the 
fact that the color of the grain commences in the outer 
end of the grain, we think Mr. Garnett has made a lit¬ 
tle mistake in saying that the silk communicates with 
the small end next the cob. The reverse is certainly 
the case with our northern corn, the silk being attached 
nearer the outer than the inner part, and of course the 
change resulting from intermixture, if partial, should 
first show itself on the outer part. Mr. Garnett’s re¬ 
marks on the systemized frauds practiced by some 
seedsmen are severe, but from some late developments 
appear just. There must be a reform in this respect, or 
all confidence in such establishments will be lost. 
Another of Mr. Garnett’s experiments was on the 
efficacy of several kinds of manure in the cultivation 
of turneps. We extract his account of the experiment 
and its result : 
“ One of my turnep experiments was to ascertain which 
acted best, of the following kinds of manures,—marl, having 
about 37 per cent of lime,—undrawn but old ashes,—bone 
dust,—fresh cotton seed mixed with pulverized mortar 
that had "rown hard though recently prepared—bone dust 
again,—old plaster pulverized,—and fresh stable manure 
mixed half and half with the sweepings around my stable. 
These were regularly spread in the order in which they are 
mentioned, in equal quantities as well as I could judge by 
the eye, and on equal spaces by measure as to length and 
breadth. Across these spaces I drilled, in rows fifteen inches 
apart, seed <if the globe or Norfolk white turneps; the yellow 
Scotch, called the Aberdeen; the ruta baga, and Dale’s hy¬ 
brid turnep, which is also yellow. The seed of the last 
was at least five years old, but came up as well as the rest. 
Each kind of turnep appeared to be equally benefited by 
the same kind of manure; but there was an obvious superi¬ 
ority in the growth of all upon the spaces where the bone 
dust and the cotton seed with pulverized mortar had been 
applied; between the effects of which two manures I could 
perceive no difference. The plants on the marl and ashes 
spaces \vere the next best; but slightly better on the latter. 
The old pulverized plaster, and the. fresh horse manure mix¬ 
ed as above stated, evidently produced less effect or benefit 
than the other manures.” 
The last extract we can give from this patriotic and 
able address must refer to the state of the times, and 
the means of remedying the evils that press upon the 
country: 
“ The last of my warnings and cautions, which above all 
others I would most earnestly press upon your attention, is 
against a moral disease of such universal prevalence, that it 
affects every class of society, but ours, I think, .most injuri¬ 
ously; for I consider it the chief cause of the numerous emi¬ 
grations heretofore made by our brethren to the new states 
and territories. In a word it is the disease of Extravagance— 
of Expenditure beyond Income.'" 
And the manner in which he points out and enforces 
the grand remedies of industry, retrenchment, and eco¬ 
nomy, is eloquent and instructive. But our limits warn 
us to forbear. — 
Cortland County Agricultural Society. 
This Society held its annual meeting at the court 
house in Cortland village on the 8th ult. We learn 
that several able reports were read, and an interesting 
address made by the Hon. Wm. Berry, president of the 
Society. Mr. Berry having declined a re-election, the 
Hon. John Miller was chosen in his place for the ensu¬ 
ing year. The following officers were also appointed— 
Joseph Reynolds and Peter Walrod, vice presidents; 
Paris Barber, of Homer, secretary; Henry S. Randall, 
of Cortlandville, corresponding secretary; Rufus Boies, 
treasurer; Wm. Berry, Lyman Hubbards, Hiram Hop¬ 
kins, Israel Boies, and William P. Randall, executive 
committee. 
The annual fair of this society was held in Cortland 
village in November, which was well attended, went off 
with great spirit, and in the display of animals and ve¬ 
getable products has been equalled by few similar exhi¬ 
bitions the present year in our State. There are few 
things more gratifying to the lover of agricultural im¬ 
provement than these fairs, or farmers’ holidays, which 
are becoming so frequent, as they show that the right 
feeling is operative among farmers, a feeling which leads 
them to rely on individual effort and associated strength, 
rather than on the grudged appropriations from the pub¬ 
lic treasury. The farmers of the beautiful valley of 
Cortland, have set an example of public spirit alike 
honorable to themselves, and beneficial to the communi¬ 
ty. The recorded results of such associations abroad 
and at home, when managed by intelligent and active 
men, prove that they communicate an onward impulse 
to agriculture, cultivate feelings of a fraternal nature 
among farmers, and by occasionally lightening the mind 
of its anxiety, and giving the body a respite from its la¬ 
bors, materially assisting to erase the furrow which 
time engraves on the cheek of long continued care. 
Our best wishes are with every such institution—let 
them go ahead. 
Mr. Colman’s Address. 
We have now before us the address delivered by this 
gentleman at the annual meeting and fair of the Middle¬ 
sex Agricultural Society. It is in Mr. Colman’s best 
manner, and well calculated to give the professors of 
agriculture a proper view of the importance and honor 
of their calling. The introduction is beautiful, and in 
effect combatting the doctrine that every man is as idle 
as he can be, he shows that the natural state of man is 
one of action, and that he is happy in having it thus. It 
seems a little singular to hear a descendant of the Puri- 
tans, talk of the position of man in Eden and his con¬ 
sequent fall and expulsion as “the beautiful allegory 
of Genesis,’’ but the important moral he deduces from 
this allegory will perhaps excuse the selection of such 
terms: 
“ It is evident that man could not endure this condition. 
He would have sunk into effeminacy under such indulgence. 
Therefore it was that the Creator expelled him from Para¬ 
dise, and sent him out to till and dress the earth; and to get 
his bread by the sweat of his brow. So long as his nature 
is what it is, the Divine Providence could not have ordained 
for him a greater benefaction. The cultivation of the earth, 
therefore, is man’s duty and business; made so by his con¬ 
stitution; by the necessities of his condition; and by the ap¬ 
pointment of his Creator. Let us not complain of it. Let 
us thank God, for we have great reason to thank him that it 
is so. If we must complain, let us complain as w.e may 
with the best reason, of every institution, sentiment, custom 
of man, and the world is full of them, that interferes with 
this great law of his being.” 
Mr. Colman’s remarks on the nature of wealth; what 
constitutes it; and its true sources, are perfectly correct. 
He shows that it is labor alone; labor of some kind 
constituting productive industry, that originates wealth. 
Of course the farmer, the tiller of the soil, is one of the 
greatest contributors to a nation’s wealth, and so far as 
that, is a blessing to its real prosperity. There is in 
the following extract too much truth—to many, bitter 
truth, to render it palatable to all: 
“ We have, it is true, in modern times invented another 
mode of increasing national wealth, and that is by the crea¬ 
tion of bills of credit, bank notes, promises to pay. Many 
of us are simple enough to believe that we grow rich, just in 
proportion as we can multiply and circulate these promises 
to pay. Now I admit that to a certain extent, and within 
rigid limits, this may be a wholesome operation ; but is it 
any actual increase of wealth T Does a man grow rich as 
he multiplies his promissory notes of hand ? In private life 
this would be deemed an Irish way of getting rich ; in asso¬ 
ciations it does not differ from this. I mean where it is mere 
credit; not resting upon actual accumulations, nor based up¬ 
on prospective results, which are as certain as any thing fu¬ 
ture in human calculations can be. But when these promi¬ 
ses to pay are once made, who is to pay them ? If they are 
ever paid at all, it must be by the hand of productive labor, by 
the products of the fields or the sea. If productive labor 
does not make them good, they will never be good for any 
thing. Every bill of credit that is issued, is an assessment 
upon the industry of the country. It would have been well 
for the public, had they seen this before they incurred the 
tremendous losses they have already suffered. It would be 
well if they could now see it in season to guard as well as 
they may against the tremendous explosions which must ac¬ 
company the extravagance and reckless extension of a sys¬ 
tem fraught with innumerable evils to the honest industry of 
the country, and adapted to frame the profligate idler’s palace 
out of the laborer’s bones.” 
This is truth, sober truth, clearly and strongly ex¬ 
pressed, and to which the productive classes would do 
well to listen. But sitting in taverns and railing at the 
banks, or the government, will not remedy the evils 
under which this nation groans. The whole cotton 
crop of the south, will this year but little more than 
pay the balance of trade against us, leaving our former 
enormous foreign debt, to which must be added the 
frightful accumulations of this year, to hang like a 
millstone on our productive industry, and paralyze al 1 
