Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1843-05-06

My gradual return, is repugnant 10 their hab.

only gradual return, is repugnan. 10 their .hab-
its.
To those who are actuated by such views,
il were probably vain TO remark, that although
the States are indeed "a wide field" the in
crease or population there is astonishingy rap
id--'hat the clearing Of the forests has already
extended so far as 10 excite in some quarters
an apprehension of dearsh of timber aud that
there is reason to think great many years may
not elapse before all the recaimable land shall
have been brought into cultivation.
With view TO the public interests of the
States, il seems, therefore, matter of serious
importance, that the destruction of land by IT.
remediable impoverishment should be prevent.
ed. How far this might be accomplished by
the Establishment Of institutions in the different
States, having for their object the encourage
,nent Of improved modes of husbandry, ! may
not presume to say, but / may refer 10 the
"Highland and Agricultural Society Of Scot.
land" as an instance Of the immense advan-
tages which country may derive from gen.
eral association of its leading men, encouraging
by their own example, and rewarding by liber-
al premiums, improvements in the various
branches of rulal economy. More remarkable
| testimony of the benefits ditfused by that So
ciety, could not have been borne, Than has
been afforded by its having been taken as
model for England, in an association lately es-
tablished, and now in operation in that coun-
try.
But although j, is not difficult to show that
an alteration of the practice of husbandry IN
the States, is called for by regard to the
public advantage, the improvements l would
suggest for the adoption of the American farm
er, are such as | conceive would not diminish
immediate profit, but, on the contrary, nnaferi-
ally increase ii
The principal error in American cultivation
is the frequent repetition Of culmierous crops,
without the application of sufficiency Of ma
nure to con pensaie for the matter they abstract
frem the soil
The arabic land in those parts of the States
visited by me. is in general rich frable loan,
or rich vegetable mould, in both cases such
as, in Scotland, would be deemed peculiarly
adapted for green crops Of all descriptions.
On such land, therefore, may successfully
be followed system of convertible husbandry.
based on rotation which an experienced farm
er will have no difficulty in adapting TO his
peculiar soii and 80 arranged that tho saver
lily Of grain crops may be modified or contract
ed by the alienation Of grass aud green crops,
aud the green crops. such as turnips, potatoes.
mangel-wurzel would be consumed in winter
by stock properly foddercd and Uttered, and
thus manure in sufficient quantity, would eve-
~ year be manufactured land would be
kept in good iillh---stock of great value would
be reared---aDd upon The whole, the receipts
of the farmer would be increased in amount
with little or no additional outlay.
This is not prediction rested on mere herory;
for at period not yet beyond memory, before
the introduction OF convertible husbandry in
Scotland, it was nothing uncommon 10 see the
farmers stock so attenuated by the dear,h and
insuffiriency of winter food. as TO be almost IN
able TO walk 10 their pastures in spring. But
with convertible hssbandry came the cul,iva-
ton Of ,nrnips and other green crops, before
unknown. By the use Of such green crops,
the straw came TO be converted into valuable
manure; the soil was rendered greatly more
productive; and now at the end Of winter the
stock ola Scotch farmer is not the mere skin
and bone Of former times, but in the best con-
dition. or. if such has been the purpose, ready
for the butcher.
have already made such observations on
the descriptions Of American stock had OPP
portunilies Of inspecting. as occurred 10 me at
the moment, and would here remark that in
the management of that branch Of farming,
there is in the States, want of attention to two
ion of suitable breeds. and keeping them pure
land, 2dy, the provision Of shelter for stock
in winter.
With regard TO breed. where the distance to
market is not considerable, or where fat cattle
may be carried to market, | should think short
horns the mos, suitable stock for States farm.
er. as that breed feeds kindly and to great
weight, and is of a hardy constitution, and
as to the soil in the States is amply calculated
to rear it TO perfection.
Bot Of whatever breed he makes hischoice, he
should be particular as TO its purity, both 10 the
original purchase, and by endeavoriDg TO keep
il from mixture with other breeds. Or II from
anv circumstances he fluids a cross advisable or
unavoidable, he shnnld by all means shun !yeed-
ing from, The cross otherwise he will soon rem
der his stock wholly mongrel and comparative
ly worthless, which ineeed j observed IS the
case with regard to the greater part Of the A.
merican stock examined. On the other hand
there is a disadvantage in breeding long in fam
lilies, and this may easily be avoided by occa-
sional exchanges. between neighbors having
stock similar 10 breed BOT not related These
| conceive are fixed roles everywhere, 10 the
proper management OF stock.
Bot no breed Of cattle can possibly thrive,
il not sheltered from inclemeot weather, and
therefore the practice ofexposing stock Inopen
fields 10 the rfgor Of North American winter,
must be condemned az beyond measure lncon-
gruous. the Disadvantages by .loss Of manure
and injury TO the cattle, which arises from 1t
being incalculs6ls.
Further. as indispensable to the iniroduc,ion
oftenants from Britain. ! would. 10 proprletors
who do not farm their owo land. but commit
it's cultivation partly or wholly 20 others, re-
~. IL n