62 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
S£3S 
SALMAGUNDI—No. 4. 
Messrs. Editors —I was among the fortunate number 
that attended the late annual meeting of the New-York 
State Agricultural Society; and so many pleasing impres¬ 
sions were made on that interesting occasion, that I can¬ 
not forbear placing them, with your leave, on record. 
During the whole week in which it occurred the wea¬ 
ther was sunny, and the temperature mild and delightful, 
which caused a large number of the hardy sons of the 
soil to assemble, and not a few of them from remote 
parts of the state, which clearly demonstrated the in¬ 
creasing interest felt in that great object, for the ad¬ 
vancement of which the society exists. But in the 
throng, first and foremost, were seen the little Spartan 
Band which, for years upon years, has met to show to the 
world, on "paper, that the Empire state had an agricultu¬ 
ral society. It was sneeringly called a “body without a 
soul.” This was wrong. It was all soul and no body; 
for that indeed it was—the body not yet having been 
formed and animated with vigor and usefulness. Yes, 
these indomitable spirits would annually gather together, 
sometimes twenty, sometimes ten, and again a still small¬ 
er number, with heavy hearts, but hopes not yet extin¬ 
guished. I can fancy them on these occasions, chilled 
with continued disappointment, perseveringly striking at 
the flint in order to kindle the fire which would blaze, 
illumine, and vivify the highways, byways, and remote 
corners of the state. At length, after very many una¬ 
vailing trials, one bright particular spark was elicited; 
it lighted the torch, which was forthwith carried to the 
legislative halls, where it enlightened and animated its 
occupants; and the appeal to them to grant fuel that the 
vheering flame might continue to burn, was successful. 
With this slender aid, gathering a few sticks here and a 
few there, they kindled the first bonfire at Syracuse, 
which illumined far and wide. Another will be kindled 
at Albany the ensuing fall, which will diffuse a still more 
glorious light; and yet another at Rochester the succeed¬ 
ing year, and then will this mighty agricultural state, in 
all its parts, be effectually aroused; and then, too, the 
era so long devoutly wished by this small but courage¬ 
ous band will be consummated. Are not these noble 
spirits deserving of more than ordinary honors! Verily, 
they are. The memories of Van Rensselaer and Buel 
are already embalmed in grateful hearts; and bright are 
the leaves which are growing to weave chaplets which 
will crown the memory of each of this band as he de¬ 
parts. The names of Van Rensselaer, Buel, Beekman, 
Walsh, Van Bergen, Bement, Rotch, Randall, Grove, 
Nott, Vail, Allen, and Viele and others, will not, cannot 
be forgotten in this state, while agriculture holds its sta¬ 
tion among - the honored and necessary pursuits of man. 
Like some others, I was disappointed on account of 
the little competition on butter and cheese; but on reflec¬ 
tion, not so much disappointed either, when all things 
are considered. The canal was locked up, the rail-road 
leading into the interior of the state is prohibited from 
carrying freight, and there was no sleighing; and con¬ 
sequently, how could farmers, without great trouble and 
inconvenience, get these articles to the place of exhibi¬ 
tion? It was next to an impossibility. But the display 
was good, very good, for a beginning; and how many 
thousand great things were of necessity small and insig¬ 
nificant at their beginning. ’Tis the fate of all enduring 
and useful enterprises at the commencement of them; 
whereas, all that blow out are characterized by the Bom- 
bastes Furioso at the start; so none need despond be¬ 
cause of the paucity of competitors at the late fair. I he 
competition must and will be larger hereafter; and in¬ 
stead of twenty samples of butter and cheese, we shall 
have ten times twenty, and perhaps a still greater pro¬ 
portion than that when the society is enabled to enlarge 
the premiums, and give some eight or ten grade premi¬ 
ums on the same article. In addition, will be the sale 
of samples, which must attract all the lovers of those two 
great luxuries, and consequently good prices will be ob¬ 
tained. Let farmers reflect upon this, as well as act 
upon it, and so limited a display will not again occur. 
Not the least among the interesting scenes that! wit¬ 
nessed was the award of the premiums, f he recipients 
were none of your parlor farmers, who wear squeaking 
boots; no, they were the real “ frock and browsers” sort; 
all grit, workers, practical farmers—the class which .1 
hope will always merit and receive premiums. And is 
it doubtful that they were very happy ? By no means; 
for I closely marked the countenances of every one of 
them, and of one in particular, who, after shoving home 
the real “mint drops,” lie slapped his hand on his 
pocket, to be sure that they were safe, and if ever eyes 
spoke, his did at that very moment. “Will not these 
yellow chaps make my wife and daughters feel very hap¬ 
py, and proud too?” Yes, his eyes spoke these very 
words; and they had a just right to feel happy and 
proud, for better butter never slid oyer a Virginia hoe- 
cake, or a Jersey buckwheat slap-jack. lhere is no 
denyin°" it; to draw a premium, touches a certain parti¬ 
cular spot in a man which tickles most exquisitely. 1 
know it to be so. 
If I was a little disappointed on account of the paucity 
of the samples of butter and cheese, I was absolutely so, 
nay chagrined, at the few reports presented of crops. But 
the cause of this, undoubtedly, is to be found in the un¬ 
favorable season; the drouth of the last summer having 
been severely felt in every part of the state, which, of 
course, materially reduced the quantity of every crop; 
and consequently farmers were afraid, and peihaps 
ashamed to compete. Nevertheless, some of the crops 
reported were very large, and hard to beat, the best of 
seasons, which must have resulted in a good measure from 
superior cultivation; and therefore greater is the credit 
which redounds to those who produced them. But the 
manner in which the reports were drawn up, with seve¬ 
ral exceptions, were unsatisfactory, imperfect, and in¬ 
formal, as has already been stated by the chairmen of 
several of the viewing committees. The suggestion in the 
report of the root committee, that the Executive Com¬ 
mittee draw up blank forms, and publish them in the 
several agricultural papers in the state, is a good one, 
which will, I hope, be carried into effect. Correct re¬ 
ports, duly certified, and entering into the most minute 
details of cultivation, is of paramount importance to pro¬ 
mote the grand object of the society; and without this, 
it must be shorn of half its usefulness. Farmers should 
know that their reports, no matter whether they are pre¬ 
mium crops or not, are to be published in a volume as 
part of the proceedings of the society; and will not all 
feel proud to see their names appended to statements 
which will reflect credit on their skill and knowledge of 
their profession? If they are ambitious, go-ahead farm¬ 
ers, they will; if not, not. I hope to see 500 of these 
reports another year, and will try very hard to have one 
of my own among them. 
For the life of me, Messrs. Editors, I cannot keep out 
of my head that bonnet —the beautiful little Manilla bonnett 
presented before the society; and you must indulge my 
whim to say something in addition to what has already 
been said in the amusing and gallant discussion on that 
occasion. When it was held up to view for our admira¬ 
tion, the inimitable scene of Sir Peter Teazle and the 
little French milliner flashed upon me; but it soon ap¬ 
peared that it came there legitimately. It was purchased 
of a firm in New-York, and of them it was ascertained 
that it was the handy work of an ingenious American 
fair one, and therefore an article of American manufac¬ 
ture, which was enough to prompt the patriotic and kind 
hearted “ A. of the North” to purchase it and present it 
to the society for a premium; or rather its countenance 
and approbation. A premium of mere dollars and cents, 
with many others, I objected to then, and would object 
again and again. Give money to woman as the proof 
of your approbation when she does wisely and well! 
Fie upon it, gentlemen; you that advocate such a course 
know little of her nature if you estimate her by such a 
standard. Nature’s great bard of Avon never put the 
love of money into the souls of any of his inimitably 
drawn female characters. No, it was a man, or rather a 
very devil in man’s shape, that said “ put more money 
in thy purse;” it was the detestable Iago that said this. 
Woman’s soul in its purity is high above placing value 
upon “trash which has been mine, and his, and slave 
to thousands.” That which she prizes are the treasures 
of the heart—the affections—and if we pour these out 
without stint, she will gather them up and build monu¬ 
ments of kindness and gratitude, which will be seen at 
every angle and curve of our domestic walks. But 
thank heaven, the fair one who made the beautiful bon¬ 
net was not degraded by giving her money; there were 
enough of us married gentlemen present to turn the scale 
aright, and it was therefore decided that she should re¬ 
ceive our warmest affectionate approbation as her re¬ 
ward. And if the amiable gentleman who brought this 
tasteful article of American manufacture before us, con¬ 
veys it to her in such language as his kindest of hearts 
will naturally dictate, she will prize it above gold or 
even rubies. Give plate in the form of tea pots, cream, 
or sugar cups, or even bamboo cradles, but never money; 
that they will spend. I respectfully say to the young 
and gallant general of Rensselaer, right wheel into our 
ranks, and then he will forbear longer to estimate wo¬ 
man by tens and twenties, but by a higher and holier 
standard. There, “ them's my sentiments.” 
Another of the very interesting sights witnessed by 
myself and a number of others, was the stock of Messrs. 
Prentice, Corning and Bement. And first, that of Mr. 
Prentice. His are altogether, if my memory serves me 
right, pure Durham short horns; his beautiful flock—as 
I understood them to be—of South Downs, having re¬ 
cently parted with to Mr. J. McDonald McIntyre, which 
I regretted not being able to see. Mr. P.’s barns and 
stables form, with the gate way, a hollow square; an 
admirable arrangement to exclude cold winds. The 
construction and convenience of the whole elicited com¬ 
mendatory remarks from many; and I take the liberty 
of suggesting to him to furnish a diagram of it for the 
Cultivator. The stalls were spacious and well littered; 
and the herd, numbering about forty or more, were in 
capital condition; and this, with their beauty of form, 
so characteristic of the breed, made the most attractive 
scene I have witnessed this many a day. “Nero,” 
whose fame was extended by his visit at the late lair at 
Syracuse, was there in all his glory; but Mr. P. has 
another coming on, pure white, name forgotten, which 
bids fair to eclipse him. Other breeders may look out a 
year or two hence for an ugly customer at the state fairs. 
Let all who wish to be either gratified or to purchase short 
horns, look at Mr. P.’s admirable herd; his urbanity 
will be sure to please, as well as his stock. A word 
more. Mr. Prentice is a wealthy, retired merchant ; and 
on a high, commanding eminence, about a mile distant 
from the city, he has about completed a mansion, impos¬ 
ing for its size, and truly elegant for its architectural 
taste, where, in the evening of his days, he is hoping to 
enjoy what the farmer does through a whole life; rural 
pleasures and happiness. May his hopes be fully re- 
alized. 
My notice of Mr. Coming’s stock must be brief. Mr. 
C.’s barns .and stables are fac similes of Mr. Prentice’s. 
The herd in general showed good keeping, and the breed 
is evidently hardy, and calculated to make good work¬ 
ers. “ Matchless” was there, and a matchless queen of 
a cow she is. It was too late in the day to see the flock 
of Cotswold sheep. 
On the following day—and a charming one it was too, 
for January—I sat out to visit Mr. Bement’s stock, ac¬ 
companied by himself, Mr. H. S. Randall and Mr. Col- 
man, the present editor of the New G. Farmer. Mr. 
B.’s farm is distant about three miles from the city, in a 
westerly direction, and the ride to it in the summer sea¬ 
son must be delightful indeed, passing on the route many 
elegant seats in the suburbs of the city. The first thing 
we were shown was his poultry house and yard, the 
construction and fixtures of which correspond with the 
description given by Mr. B. in the last volume of the 
Cultivator. The fowls were of various breeds, several 
of which were truly beautiful and new to me, and ap¬ 
peared to be fond of their whereabout; indeed, we were 
informed that it was rare to see them out of the yard. 
This is a proof of good keeping, and this is right; for 
few things pay better on a farm than a flock of well 
managed and well fed fowls. He has several varieties 
of the duck; but the queerest “dickie”that presented 
itself was a Chinese goose, and what is still more queer, 
she is now, in mid winter, laying eggs. When told of 
this, it immediately reminded me of the prolific hen de¬ 
scribed by the menagerie man. “ This,” said he, “ la¬ 
dies and gentlemen, is the Siberian hen, which you all 
know is in New-Holland; she is distinguished for her 
prolific, spicy and odoriferous qualities; she lays from 
two to three eggs a day, and Sundays she slides a nut¬ 
meg.” 
The stock of cattle in general looked right, saving a 
want of flesh, which Mr. B. observed was owing to 
being overstocked, and are mostly Durhams with cross¬ 
es, together with several Ayrshire cows, which I thought 
ordinary in form, but said to be rare milkers, which, in 
general, seems to be characteristic of that breed. Some 
of the calves appeared uncommonly fine, and of great size 
for the age. But the greatest attraction was the pure 
short horned bull “Astoria,” which took a prize at the late 
fair at Syracuse, and a poi’trait of which appeared in the 
Nov. number of the Cultivator. That portrait is correct, 
except too much swell in the buttocks. Since his trip to 
Syracuse, he has increased much in size, and his hand¬ 
ling cannot be surpassed. Indeed, I know of but one 
his superior, taking him all in all, and that is the ma¬ 
jestic and lordly “ Archer,” belonging to Col. Sherwood 
of Auburn. There may be others, however, superior to 
Astoria besides Archer, but I have not seen them. 
Mr. Bement has a flock of about 50 South Downs, and 
among them were several “ crack” animals. 
It is generally known that Mr. B. is famed for his su¬ 
perior Berkshire swine, on which he ran away with the 
chief prizes at the late state fair. His present stock is 
very attractive, showed good keeping and good manage¬ 
ment, save in one thing; and this is, want of litter. I 
say, friend Bement, get straw honestly if you can, but 
get it somehow; for with it you can make manure 
enough with your piggery to pay for straw at the rate of 
20 dollars per ton. It is too bad for farmers, having had 
the example of the late Judge Buel, and living under 
the eyes and nose of the Cultivator, and yet setting, at 
nought its precepts. When we bush-whackers visit 
the establishments of any of our “crack breeders,” we 
expect to see everything in “apple pie order,” and the 
best means adopted to make and save manure. There, I 
have done scolding. In conclusion, I shall take the 
liberty to recommend to tHe admirers of good stock to 
“look in” at Mr. Bement’s, and they will not be disap¬ 
pointed. He has my sincere thanks for his hospitality 
and attentions, which I shall be very happy to reciprocate. 
The address by the worthy and energetic president, 
delivered at the capital, fulfilled the estimation in which 
he has long been held by his friends, as a classical 
scholar, and an eloquent man. The main subject, al¬ 
though by no means new, yet the manly delivery, chaste 
language, anil well turned periods constituted it a treat 
rarely participated. But—and was there ever anything of 
man’s creation that had not a little, middle size, or big but 
to it? No, never. Well, then, but it had nothing of the 
practical about it. This was a great fault, very; and I 
am by no means singular in making the exception. It 
was made by all who expressed an opinion in my hear¬ 
ing. Let his successor and successors please note this. 
It is indeed quite superfluous, at this time of day, to 
come before an assemblage of farmers, and tell them 
that their vocation is at once the most dignified and re¬ 
spectable that engages the attention of man; that our 
paths are scattered with roses and no thorns; that we 
have much virtue and independence; that we are the 
nation’s body guard in the hour of danger; in short, that 
we are the happiest fraternity in existence, for we know 
it already; and not only we, but the lawyers and doctors 
have found it out, and shown their manners by standing a 
little back, in order that they “ may see just as well.” But 
notwithstanding, it does not signify, Messrs. Editors, we 
do like to be told the above now and then, especially 
when told so eloquently as it was by Mr. Nott. Verily, 
I was so tickled and flattered, that peradventure I had 
been possessed of a piece of cheese, as was the crow, 
most certainly like the said crow, I would have dropped 
it, and the fox would have run away with it. Let our 
presidents hereafter attempt to instruct rather than flat¬ 
ter us. Farmers are never better satisfied than when 
reading or hearing practical knowledge, if applicable to 
their profession. The late Judge Buel knew this right 
well, and he practiced upon it. 
There were some capital things said in the speeches 
