New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1845-03-08

of the phosphate OF lime TO give solldlty 10 the
homes and indeed of all the elementary principles
requisite 10 the due performance OF the functions
OF nutrition and respiration a field of maize,
with the tall stems OF the plants waving Ia the gen
re summer breeze, and spreading their long pointed
caves 10 the brilliant light Of an American sky
or with the auinmnai stalks bending uncer the
| weight OF the golden grain of the rpened ear,
forms glorious rural spectacle, and is that crop
which of all others clothes the husbandman's land.
scape in It's richest beauty. But this plant owes all
It's importance TO lis Intrinsic value an article of
| food and could the Eng lish farmer grow it, his
turnip crop would be comparatively but little es-
tened. In this connection, we hesitate not TO
gay, that we regret that many Of our agricultural
writers advocate the culture OF the root crops in
imitation OF the English system Of husbandry, IN
preference TO that OF maze, which well adapt
ed to our superior climate.
The condition OF the American farmer differs
from that Of the same class IN any other country.
He is not only the owner OF the soil, but he works
ii with his own hands. Let not this condition be
changed. He may be comparatively poor: he has
not his thousands TO spare tor the purchase OF COM
post, nor his hundreds 10 pay for the erecting of
brickIand mortar fences. For his labor he requires
speedy return: indeed this is often indispensable
! for his own and his fam'ly's comfort We 90 not
mean by this remark 10 advocate what has been
termed the SHINING process but as our farmer Is
not wealthy, and as he performs MS own work, his
| returns are wanted when has crops are harvested.
the preservatIve policy: his system must still be
that which husbands the strength oil the soil.
Especially we wish 1t 10 be understood that
| we aim TO promote the advancement OF that sy.-
tenn OF husbandry which shall be the most profta-
| Bile, and the best adapted to circumstances when
all the pecnarllies OF location and place are taken
into consideration together with the competitions
which spring UP between rival communities, the
plans Of industry which may be devised, the spe-
cial kinds Of stock and produce which the markets
of the day may require, and, IN line, all those
dltions which modify personal and general late
rests when viewed in their broadest bearings, and
as they most affect the prosperity of the American
| farmer. The present Is distinguished from the past
! by wonderful energy In prosecuting scientific
research. Not only are old heIds broken up
| anew but new ones are entered with astonishing
zeal The impetus which is thus gwen TO dlscove-
~. in all countries where intelligence has vgc-
rous reign, can hardly be conceived by one who
has not a good share OF industry Ia his readings, or
who does not make 1t his business TO post up facts
| of the preceding years. The American farmer and
gentleman, then who beyond all other men ismost
| interested in the progress Ut knowledge, will do
himself injustice if he neglect the opportunity and
means of becoming acquainted with those dlscove-
ries which the indomltabe energy OF the present
age is continually making.
Many gentlemen OF both practical and scientific
requirements who are especially occupied In
searches for The advancement OF science and agrl-
culture are already engaged as contributors 10 our
Journal Our own individual connection with the
geological and agricultural surveys, has placed
within our reach much important matter relating TO
agriculture both in this and other States of the
Union We propose also 10 extend our researches
south and west, for the purpose OF seeking out new
sources Of information on subjects most interesting
and useful in the sphere OF cur labors, and OF rem.
ferng our publication what its title imports, our
nal Of American Agriculture 1t will be our per-
sonal endeavor TO multiply the means for increasing
the products OF the EARTH and 10 encourage the
prosecution OF those inquiries which may lead 10 the
discovery OF new sources OF the teriiliZng agent,
particularly the phosphates and carbonates, the IN
organic elements which constitute so essential por
| ton of many Of our most valued vegetable proluc-
TONS This inquiry is scarcely begun IN thlScountry
and though we may be disappointed IN our eXpec-
tations from 1t, believe no one will venture to
| deny lis Importance and necessity. But while we
thus explicitly state the main scope and range of
our work as regards agriculture, we wish II TO be
| understood that do not design 10 coEtine II
wholly TO this department. We intend TO record
the discoveries, and TO lay before our readers the
most Interesting facts, science al large so lar,
al least as our pages will admit always. however,
aiming at udicieus selection, and extending only
so far as may enable readers TO keep pace with
the progress of knowledge. 1t will be part Of our
object 10 give occasional abstracts OF the proceed
ings OF scientific bodies and notices and reviews
of new publications Without attempting dog
matte course, we shall assume the night TO express
our opinions on matters PERTAINING TO the subjects
discussed in the journals and other scientific publ
cations OF the day always, however, with proper
respect for tho views and opinions al others, and
under the conviction that we are all liable TO
'We respectfully solicit our friends, and all who
feel Interested In the promotion and diffusion OF
agricultural information, 10 AID us IN TINS under
| taking and, al the same time, we are pledged 10
| furnish nj least moderate remuneration 10 those
contributors who may supply Us with communlca-
tons suitable 10 our pages
So much for the Introduction. The succeeding
contents embrace a great variety of TOPICS some
of which are treated quite deliberately and with
great clearness and force. The leading article on
the Food of Plants by Thomas Hun, NJ. D. pre-
sents much valuable information with which all
cul,ivators of the soil should make themselves ia
miliar Al the head Of the next article stands the
question. What can be done for American AgTi
culurer We cannot resist the temptation 10 copy
passage or two from this article, the whole Of
which is admirable
"The farmer must acquaint himself with the
pyinciples of his art lis foundation is laid IN
knowledge. and its successful practice depends
upon individual skill. OF late years the sciences
have laid open vast resources for the farmer
Geology Botany, and especially Chemistry, have
already taken rapid steps towards revolutlonl2lns
,hespractice Of agriculture. II no longer answers
for man 10 quote his father the best authority.
Ndttue Let us not be understood TO mean that
every farmer must become a chemist IN the stllct
sense OF the term, although 10 certain degree he
must be one. He is a practical chemist a ready,
| and he should be IN a measure 4 theoretical one
that is, he should be reasoning man in respect 10
the operations he carries on. He should be able
TO see the cause when certain effect produced,
and 10 understand why The various processes which
he follows are necessary, and what are wrong and
wha, are right. This does not involve necessarily
an acquaintance with all the technical terms OF SCI
ence-terms now so much the dread OF the IN
educated farmer; but he should understand the
names OF things he uses. and not ask the chemist
who labors for his benefit 10 perform the impoSsl-
5ility of finding names for substances which q man
can comprehend without finding them ont.
g But II is not, after all, the names which most
concern the farmer, although, in order 10 be IA
,ional one, he must understand them. The sub
stances themselves are what he Is interested IN,
and their application in his business. He ought 10
understand the relative value of different manure.
and their adaptednesS 10 particular soils or crops;