The Litchfield County post., 1827-10-25

sue AfsA EItNltN WYNN AAAAlloa AsiaA A3Na IN Nag
present century, inpeRccd the improvement Of asri-
oulsure, is that Of Mechauism. The application of
mathematical and mechanical principles TO the Gen.
siruetOR Of new, aud Improvement Of old machines
utensils is distinguished Characteristic Of the i'm
proyement Of modern times. These machines owe
their origin fortunate cOnjectures and
full accident; their invention is founded the deepest
knowledge 81 the science Of mechanics and its app
cation agriculture and shows, how useful know
ledge of that science would prove even to the pract
cal farmer The introduction Of any machine which,
with little much expense alIeviates the toll &
Iabour of men beast, cannot but meet the approba-
ton of every rational man and do away those un
reasonable preiudces that hang upon the mind, in IA
of ancient long used instruments.
The BOtaniSt likewise filings in the treasure of his
knowledge to assist the agrculturast. He points out
the various grasses that may be useful for his expert
ments, ascertans the quantity of nourishment each az
fords, shows whether that nOurishment will be the
greatest if the grass be cut when in flower or seed
He discovers different varieties of grain brings new
species from foreign and unexpored countries, and
points out the proper soils for their cultivation is
to the Botanist that the agricuurast owes the nor
nation that the smut gram is fungus plant grow
ing like toad stools rotten wood on the seed, and
that avoid its it is necessary to prevent
the seeds of this fungus from remasing the grain,
by some previous preparation.
To the Miner0Logist the farmer is likewise indebted,
in giving him knowledge of the nature of the mate
rails found in his SOIL of their change and application
of the various descriptions, powers and applica-
Of mineral Pufb; in 1h
cause of agriculture so Intimately connected with
chemical philosophy, that, to that head, they be
more particularly referred. Indeed, science is so
intimately connected with agriculture as chemistry. 1t
is useful in describing the different properties ofoils;
in ascertanng the of their sterility in show
ing the various methods OF their improvement; in de-
composing the salts of iron present. in improving the
sandy by mixtures of lime; in removing an excess of
Vegetable matter; or in supplying its deficiencies 1t
is further useful, in describing the principles of gemi
nation, and therefore pointing the farmer where to
apply the elementary principles of vegetation and
where to remove the poison. And it is particularly
useful in showing the nature, the mode Of application
and the use of manures.
So important is this last particular that shall be
excused for OBTAINING you by concise description of
its use, and if should give practical idea to
one farmer present, the eXertions of this day will not
have been made in vain.-Pants cannot receive their
nourlshment from pure earth pure water they OBJ
tain their elementary principles from decomposed ve-
getable or animal matter them. To the copious
supply then, of elementary principles from decay
ing vegetables animals they owe their health and
Vigonr Hence the use of manures Of various kinds,
which consist of animal vegetable matter ready to
undergo decomposition Again. these principles must
be obtained from the decomposition of the manure and
during that decomposition Decomposition is, in all
cases, produced by the agency of heat air and moist
ure; its products either liquids oraeriform fluids
IT, therefore, manure be suffered, by Standing previ-
Gus to Its application to the plant to be exposed to
heat and moisture, the elementary principles necessa
ry to the future growth of the plant will escape and
VIII lose, when used, great part of it's effect The
practical use, then, to he derived from these chemical
principals is that manure should be applied when un-
decomposed, in order that its decomposition NAV 90
on in the neighborhood Of the plant, and none of its
efficacy be wasted. But it does not always hap
pen, that manure can be thus applied, chemistry teach
es the practical farmer to preserve far as he is a.
bic from the agency Of air, heat and moisture in order
to prevent decomposition, by keeping it on floors of
wood or stone, in the coolest place of his farm and by
covering il with clay or dirt from the agency of the
air. 1t IS the opinion of the chemist that much is lost
to the farmer by manuring his fields in the autumn
not wanted for the sustenance of vegetable life, and
though winter checks the progress, yet the spring
hoods and rams will carry away its frucying priuci-
pies, from the place designed for their operations.
10 these scientific Improvements in agriculture 9th
ers OF no less importance have been made by the ex-
perimental farmer. He no longer supposes he must
adhere to the ancient system Of cultivation because it
Is ancient but mingles his experiments with the
experience OF former times, cOrrects their mistakes
improves upon their plans, and adds to their attain
mens by the resources Of his own genius and the
improvement of his neighborhood. TO repeat these
improvements, even by name, would be beyond thet
limits prescribed to this address: improvements in the
establishment of experimental farms, in summer fall
low in the rotation of crops, in their adaptation to
different soils, in irrigation, in improvement of the
breeds OF animals. and in various and improved meth
DDS Of cultivation. You yourselves can easily dscoy-
er whether you have made the necessary use of these
improvements and whether the alteration of many I
OF your present systems of cultivation would not
be beneficial. All it is to be feared are not aware of
the advantages gained, to soil and the cutvator bv
proper rotation OF crops In England this subject
mas peen reduced to system, and SUGGESTIONS of ia
low urnps wheat: beans, and clover wit. some 9TH
er variations, have almost superseded the use of ma
nure. 1t IS to be feared that all do not take advan-
tage OF those improved breeds of stock that some of
your public minded members have introduced into the
county not rejecting that the expense of keeping val
liable stock IS no greater than Inferior and their sn
perior usefulness and beauty will fully compensate the
expense OF their Introduction. To the raising of sheen
tins county rs eminenty adapted: with |
proper means and proper precauton wool as fine as |
the Saxon might be raised for the manufacturers and
ne no longer pay the present heavy duty on foreign
wool. Sheep farms could be easily formed in such
grazing county, and probably would be more produc-
i've OF proht IN proportion to the iabour employed
than any other mode of occupying land Sheen re-
quire ttie care IN comparison with other agricultural