86 
American Society of Agriculture. 
An address to the farmers of the United States ; to every friend 
of agricultural improvement; to every citizen of the United 
States who desires to see elevated the character and standing 
oj the cultivators of American soil. 
. Most respected and most respectable friends and brothers, 
give me your attention for a few fleeting moments; your hum- 
t? br0 F ler ’ wbo bow addresses you, published a suggestion 
about three years ago, for the purpose of arousing your atten¬ 
tion to the subject or forming a National Agricultural Society; 
that suggestion was then responded to with a hearty good 
will throughout the country. But action upon the subject has 
been overwhelmed by the political whirlwind that has swept 
over our country. In the first lull of the succeeding calm, the 
proposition to form such a society has been renewed, and 
with one exception, has met with a cheering “God speed the 
project.” None doubt the utility of the proposed society, yet 
doubtless there are many who would like to see the object, 
end and aim of the society more fully explained. To such I 
now offer some of my views, and in doing so, invite you all 
to give yours; for this is one of the objects of a National Socie¬ 
ty to interchange our views. 
Many warm friends of the measure, who are anxioys to see 
the society in operation, cannot see how it is to be organized, 
lhey say, “No doubt if once organized, it would daily in¬ 
crease in strength and usefulness; but it is like a great com¬ 
plicated piece of machinery, of great use and value when 
once in motion, but difficult to start.” Now, to me there is 
no difficulty in the way. All that is wanted is a few active 
engineers to put the machine in motion. Immediate and de¬ 
cided action of a few of the active friends ot agricultural im¬ 
provement, who must assume the responsibility to act as en¬ 
gineers as well as pioneers for the whole Union; and having 
once given the society an existence, it will flourish and in¬ 
crease in strength just as our political Union has done. 
The following plan of organizing the society is suggested to 
your consideration: 
Let as many of the friends of the project as can be induced 
to do so, meet at the city of Washington, on some day of the 
autumn of 1841, (the particular day to be hereafter fixed,) and 
there form a constitution for the society, and elect officers, to 
wit: a president, a vice president for each state, a recording 
secretary, a general corresponding secretary, and a correspon¬ 
ding secretary for each state, county, city and principal town 
in tne United States, a treasurer, and probably a publisher of 
a national paper, to be called the Journal of the American 
Society of Agriculture. 
The first officers will hold their offices until the next annual 
meeting, w'hich should be held at the capital of that state 
which had furnished the greatest number of members at the 
time when the president of the society should issue his pro¬ 
clamation to convene the second meeting. 
The place of each annual meeting should be fixed at the 
preceding one, in some state other than the one where it was 
then held, so as to give the members in each state an easier 
opportunity of attending. 
As in the formation of all such associations it is necessary 
to have some cash funds, are you walling to donate “ a mite ” 
to accomplish this great national object ? 
If so, an opportunity will hereafter be offered you to do so. 
Upon some of you I hope to make a personal call for that pur¬ 
pose, should it be thought advisable, after due reflection, to 
proceed in the organization ; therefore, I pray you to give this 
subject your serious consideration. 
If you should aid in the formation of this society, will not 
your children “rise up and bless you?” For one of the first 
objecrs of the National Agricultural Society should be to con¬ 
nect with it a “ National Agricultural School.” 
Not such a “ National School” as is the only one we now 
have, which has, with too much truth, been called “ a nursery 
of aristocracy”—where the humble son of a farmer is rarely 
admitted, and if admitted, what is he taught? Not how to 
cultivate his mother earth, and make her sons glad ; not how 
to increase life, but the art of destruction, the trade of blood 1! 
Such is now your only national school. 
Such will not be the only one, in a few short years, if you 
will lend your energies to form a National Society, whose mot¬ 
to will be, “to elevate the character and standing of the culti¬ 
vators of the American soil.” For w'hen once organized, 
you will soon show a united force of many thousands, whose 
voice will be heard in the halls of congress, demanding our 
birthright. Be assured we shall be heard. “ Let all our en¬ 
ergies be concentrated, and we can do any thing in the pow¬ 
er of man; but divided and scattered as we are, we spend 
our forces, as it were, drop by drop; whereas, union would 
make us mightier than a torrent." We can, shall we say we 
will form such a torrent as will overwhelm our political ru¬ 
lers, unless they will do justice to the agricultural class of 
the community. 
As soon as the National Agricultural Society is formed, let 
us ask Congress to appropriate the “Smythsonian fund” of 
half a million of dollars to establish a National School. If we 
unite as we should do, our “torrent” will be too strong for 
time-serving politicians to resist. 
I look upon the National Agricultural School as the greatest 
blessing to flow from the National Society. 
But the Journal of the Society will also prove of immense 
advantage. It will embody a vast amount of matter, useful 
and interesting to every cultivator in the Union. The most 
carefully prepared tables of the productions of the earth, from 
every section of the Union, will be kept constantly before the 
reader, totally different from those vehicles of deception, and 
often fraud upon the farmer, called “ prices current.” It is by 
the quantity produced, and the probable demand therefor, 
that we can understand whether it is for our interest to sell 
our crops now, or store them up. At every meeting there 
would be numbers from every state in the Union, as ready to 
impart as receive information. 
“All the inducements of the business of a National Society, 
a National Fair, and a National School,” and the honor of be¬ 
ing a member of such a society, would be enough, I think, to 
make us all feel that it would be a greater honor to be elecied 
a state delegate to one of the annual meetings of the National 
Society than to be elected a member of Congress. 
It cannot be expected in this short address, that I should 
point out all the good that would flow from the action 
of the proposed society. But if we are convinced that the ef¬ 
fect would conduce to the interest and happiness of the great 
mass of agriculturists of the Union, let us act, and with spirit 
too. 
And now, my friends, one and all, do you approve of the 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
plan of organization ? Speak out boldly if you do not. And 
it you do not object, the leading friends of the measure will 
nx upon a day for the first meeting, and proceed in the man¬ 
ner proposed. 
There has been an argument raised against organizing such 
a society at present, “because the public mind lias not been 
sufficiently instructed, and does not sufficiently appieciate the 
advantages of such an association to render it successful.” 
-‘•''Owit is on this very account that the friends of the pro¬ 
posed National Society wish to see it established, that the ope¬ 
rations thereof may wake up an excitement throughout our 
wide scattered population,” that shall be the moving cause 
ot ch anging the “ condition of the country.” 
It is also argued that the failure of several state and county 
societies is proof that a national one must fail also. 
Let me ask if this is a valid argument ? This short quota¬ 
tion, in my mind, is sufficient to knock the whole force of the 
argument into nonentity: “ Divided and scattered as we are, 
we spend our forces as it were, drop by drop, whereas union 
would make us mightier than a torrent.” 
The object of all state and county societies has been of a 
local nature. Their existence has been known only in their 
own locality, and they have been too weak in numbers to 
command legislative aid. Who can tell what would have 
been the effects if all the members of all the local societies in 
the Union had been attached to one National Society? If all 
the exertions of all these societies, collectively and individual¬ 
ly, had been concentrated upon one object, would it not have 
formed a “torrent” as mighty, comparatively speaking, as the 
thunderin'* Niagara. If tne nation, instead of individuals, had 
received all the JiMit of the intelligent minds that have been 
devoted to these local societies, would it now be said “ that 
the public mind was not sufficiently enlightened to appreciate 
the advantages to be derived from a National Society ?” If 
all the money that has been devoted “ drop by drop ” upon 
1 ™°!j ■ arms ” an( f local schools had been concentrated, 
should we not now have an institution worthy the great coun¬ 
try we inhabit ? 
If our population is scattered; if “ long distances intervene 
between the most efficient friends of agricultural improve¬ 
ment,” so much the more need of forming such a society as 
shall draw them together in “one strong bond of brotherhood.” 
Is it a fact “ that the time has not yet arrived when such an 
association can be organized with a reasonable certainty of 
success?” If such is the lact, I am disappointed in the cha¬ 
racter and energy of my countrymen. 
Once more I call upon you to answer me this question; am 
1 so disappointed in your character ? 
Do not refuse your countenance to the measure because it 
does not originate in high places. For “if we are ever to 
have a National Society of Agriculture, it must be got up by the 
farmers themselves&, as one of that class I now address you. 
If the present attempt at organization fail, the matter may 
be considered as decided for the present generation. 
The only question then is, shall the matter sleep until you 
and I are past waking? 
I am a devoted friend to present organization of a National 
Society of Agriculture, and a National School, that will elevate 
the character and standing of the cultivators of the American 
soil. And your friend and brother. 
Lake C. H., la., April 1,1841. SOLON ROBINSON. 
Inquiry—Raising Chestnut Timber. 
Messrs. Gaylord & Tucker —Will you or your numerous 
contributors give me accurate information on raising chestnut 
timber from the seed ? In this State, we can buy the nuts 
ready for market at $1 per bushel on the high ridges ; and as the 
chestnut timber is fine and durable for fencing, it would be of 
much advantage to many farmers could we fall upon some 
cheap and certain mode of propagating the trees from the 
seed. Must we plant the nut where the tree is to stand, or 
can the trees be best raised in a nursery and then trans¬ 
planted ? If the former be the only mode, when must we 
plant the seed, in the fall or spring, and at what distance ? If 
the chestnut will bear transplanting, at what season must this 
be done? I wish to plant, as soon as I can learn how, two 
rows of chestnuts, on both sides of the road for a mile in 
length, and should be thankful for early information. 
_ Any information on producing the red cedar from the ber¬ 
ries, would be also gladly received. Ours is a woody country, 
it is true, but it will soon be bleak, unless we resort to some 
method of restoring timber as fast as we destroy it. 
FRANCIS H. GORDON. 
P. S. It may be well to let some of your readers know, that 
we have tried the Jerusalem Artichoke here and find it to sur¬ 
pass every other food for hogs; because they grow without 
culture and the hogs root for their living and keep fat and 
saucy. In this vicinity, the artichoke is in high repute. I 
have 20 acres in this prolific root, and consider the product 
worth more than the same number of acres in corn, although 
the artichokes require no culture, while the corn requires 
much. Clinton College , Tenn., March 18, 1841. 
Farmer’s Song. 
[Extract from a manuscript, still in the hands of its author, 
and probably, with him, destined to the ocean of oblivion It 
you think the scrap worthy of the little space it would occupy, 
it may meet a better fate. A. W.J 
In a sweet healthy air with a farm of his own, 
Secluded from tumult and strife, 
The farmer, more blest than a king on his throne, 
Enjoys all the comforts of life. 
When the sweet smiling Spring sheds its perfumes around, 
And music enchants every tree, 
With his glittering plowshare he furrows his ground, 
With a mind independent and free 
When Summer to fruit the sweet blossoms transforms 
And his harvest fields wave with the breeze; 
Sweet anticipation unfolds all her charms, 
And points to contentment and ease. 
When bountiful Autumn her treasures bestows, 
And her fruits are all gathered and stored; 
His heart to the Giver, with gratitude glows, 
And plenty presides at his board. 
When Winter howls dismally over the earth, 
And want tells her tale at his door; 
Serenely he sits by his clean blazing hearth, 
And dispenses relief to the poor. 
Then let idle Ambition her baubles pursue, 
While Wisdom looks down with disdain, 
The home of the farmer has charms ever new 
Where health, peace, and competence reign. 
Light on the Silk Culture. 
Messrs EDiToRS-In my communication in the December 
number of the Cultivator, I mentioned that I had discovered a 
very great improvement in the feeding of silk worms, which 
not only compelled the worms to clean themselves, but saved 
more than half the expense of gathering and feeding out the 
loiidge, besides accomplishing other objects so important as to 
make this improvement absolutely indispensable to all who 
expect to make the silk culture a regular and profitable busi- 
ne u S Y itie value of my improvement is acknowledged by all 
who have any practical acquaintance with the subject: and 
the principles it embodies are so self evident as to command 
the assent even of those who are not. My frame for feeding 
silk worms, -will be in operation the whole of the present sea- 
so . n .i “ a cocoonery now building in Burlington for my use, in 
which four to five crops of from two to three hundred thousand 
worms each will be reared, beginning in April next. I respect- 
tully invite all of your readers who may be interested in the 
•ii c . ulture i to visit my establishment during the season. They 
will there see my improvement in operation on a scale of mag¬ 
nitude sufficient for the notice of the capitalist. The reeling of 
the cocoons, and probably the weaving of silk, will also be ear¬ 
ned on during the season. 
In other places my frame has been introduced, and such of 
your readers as reside at remote points, may be disposed to in¬ 
vestigate its merits by visiting the several cocooneries men¬ 
tioned below ; where it will be found in use, in many of them 
on an extensive scale : 
James Anderson, Louisville, Ky.; Oliver Morse, Forsyth, Ga.; 
Daniel Spaulding, Hancock, N. H.; Rev. A. Ross, Kingsport, 
Tenn.; Charles G. Aikin, Cleveland, Ohio: Jesse Shelly, James¬ 
town, N. C.; Dr. Joseph E. Muse, Cambridge, Md.; Charles P. 
Cummins, White House, Cumberland Co. Pa.; Rev. J. R. Bar¬ 
bour, Oxford, Mass.; Dr. E. B. West, Braintrim, Luzern Co. 
Pa.; H. Wilks, Halifax, N, C.; Miller Hallowes, Saint Mary's, 
Ga.; Gen. Jno. C. Johnston, Catskill, N. Y.; P. Cage, Wood- 
ville, Miss. 
Besides these, a much larger list of names might he added. 
It is important that the many gentlemen who are about em¬ 
barking m the silk culture, should be made acquainted with all 
that is new or valuable in relation thereto. To contribute my 
share in the general diffusion of such, I have printed several 
small pamphlets on the silk culture, for the express purpose of 
distributing them gratuitously to those who write for them at 
their own expense of postage. Many of your readers have been 
supplied with them by mail, and there are several hundred 
copies still on. hand, to which those who may be really inte¬ 
rested in the silk culture are entirely welcome. They embody 
facts and suggestions not to be met with in any previous pub¬ 
lication. 
The recent returns of the late census in Pennsylvania, show 
us that in fifteen counties, 6362 pounds of cocoons were produ¬ 
ced, and 892 pounds of reeled and thrown silk, during the past 
year. In this state, the marshals return but 1966 pounds of co¬ 
coons, as the product of the same year. All of these state re¬ 
turns are exceedingly imperfect, and do not give anything like 
a fair account of the quantity of silk actually produced, be¬ 
cause the marshals commenced their operations while nume¬ 
rous large crops of silk worms were yet feeding. In Burling¬ 
ton county alone, I have no doubt the quantity of cocoons pro¬ 
duced would nearly equal 1,500 pounds. In Pennsylvania, the 
state treasurer paid out $2,101-S9, for premiums on cocoons 
for 1840. As the state bounty is twenty cents per pound, this 
sum would pay for upwards of 10,000 pounds of'cocoons. But 
it is well known that many persons who reared considerable 
crops of worms, made no demand for the bounty. Probably the 
vyhole silk crop of Pennsylvania for 1S40, was equal to 25,000 
pounds of cocoons, equal if of good quality and carefully reel¬ 
ed, to at least 2,500 pounds of silk. 
Respectfully yours, EDMUND MORRIS. 
Burlington, N. J., Feb. 12, 1841. 
Culture of Corn. 
Messrs. Editors — I have taken the Cultivator from its com¬ 
mencement, and have derived much information and satisfac¬ 
tion from its pages, and have all the volumes sinsly bound for 
future reference. Being bred a mechanic, I was obliged to look 
to the practice, and learn from the experience of farmers, on 
commencing the business myself. 
Although unable to command but a small capital, still I have 
been able to succeed on a small scale, so that I am perfectly 
satisfied with the honorable and pleasant employment of till¬ 
ing the soil. 
I now proceed to give you an account of the culture of a small 
piece of corn last year, which I believe was the heaviest ever 
raised in this town, yielding at the rate of 90 bushels Jo the 
acre, 900 bundles of stalks, and 1,500 pumpkins. The land had 
been in pasture about three years. I broke it up early in the 
spring; being stony, and other circumstances unfavorable, I 
could not turn it smooth, sol let it lie until near planting time, 
then dragged it thoroughly; then drawedon twenty-five wagon 
loads of long manure to the acre; then dragged again, then 
cross plowed. I then drew shallow furrowsJhree feet apart, 
and drawed ten loads of manure, which was piled up the year 
before, so that it was thoroughly rotted, and dropped half a 
shovel-full in rows across the furrows, near three feet apart. 
I put my seed to soak at night in warm water, in which was 
dissolved half a pound of salt petre; in the morning turned off 
the water, put a small quantity of tar to boiling water, let it 
cool and then poured it on the corn, which formed a coat of 
fine varnish on it. I then turned off the water, and stirred 
plaster with it, as much as it would take up; this I know will 
prevent crows from pulling it. I then proceeded to plant, first 
hauling a thin covering of dirt on the manure. After weeding, 
I put a handful of plaster and ashes, mixed in about equal 
quantities, on each hill. I plowed among my corn at hoeing, 
and raised a broad flat hill around it,which I believe to be better 
than to let the earth remain undisturbed, especially on a hard 
soil. I have no doubt but there are soils on which corn will 
do best on a level surface. The variety I planted was the Dut¬ 
ton. Some farmers contend for manuring broad ca st and some 
in the hill; as for myself I contend for both, but be sure t.o 
have rotten manure for the hill, which gives corn an early and 
vigorous start, and the coarse manure yields food to the filling 
grain. 
I have tried many ways in seeding potatoes, and feel 
confident that I have discovered the best. Let others try 
it. I believe it will commend itself to any farmer. What far¬ 
mer has not noticed that when his potatoes sprout in the 
spring, those eyes on the seed end produce the largest and 
most vigorous sprouts. My practice is to have storeage in the 
cellar, and in the latter part of the wunter or in the spring, 
commence cutting off the seed end of my largest potatoes 
w'hich I feed or which are used for cooking, say about one 
third of the potato. In this way you have the best part of the po¬ 
tato for eating and the seed end ready for planting. I had rather 
have one third of a large potato cut from the seed end for a 
hill than the whole potato at the same price. I would say a 
few words as to the much talked of Rohan. I procured a 
bushel and half from Albany last spring, planted them the last 
of April, raised one hundred bushels of grand potatoes. I 
consider them the best of several kinds I have raised for eat¬ 
ing. I would advise farmers when they can procure seed rea- 
sonatfly to try them; plant early, three feet apart, three eyes 
in a hill, hoe twice and make large hills. 
Respectfully yours, HEMAN H. BARBER. 
Summer Hill, N. Y., March 20th, 1841. 
