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

VOWS and Dr. A. j PRIME. VOL /. No. l. January,
February and March. octave pP' ios Aipais -
Van Benthuysen d Co.
Of all the various branches OF American htera-
,ure. there is none whose progressive development
us watch with deeper interest, and certainly
nome il more important, than that which seeks TO
;.,orrret the laws Of nature in their relations 10
Agriculture. and to bring our sadly imperfect and
discounted systems of husbandry into harmony with
The discoveries of science. The modes OF farm
ov which generally prevail in this country, belong
more appropriately 10 rude and barbarous age
han 10 the present advanced period Of civilization
and general scientific knowledge. The mass OF
our farmers do not realize the necessity, much less
comprehend the advantages to themselves, OF that
intellectual culture which they readily perceive TO
be requisite in other, and, as they are often
most enormously regarded, higher Occupations
To fit young man for the profession OF doctor,
lawyer or clergyman, an education Is thought 10
be indispensable while to qualify one TO discharge
the duties of farmer little more is thought TO be
necessary in the way OF learning than slight
smat,ering of the elementary branches hitherto
yery inadequa;ey taught in onr common schools.
TO read, write and 'cypher, is all that the boy
devoted TO agricultural pursuits is taught TO aspire
70. and learned farmer is deemed almost as great
an incongruity as learned horse. And yet there
is no human occupation which affords a wider
scope for scientific knowledge, or, when viewed in
Just and proper light, offers stronger inducements
otis ACQUISITION. II is as true of farming as OF
any other business that, other things being equal,
the profits in proportion 10 the extent OF infor-
nation in him who directs its varied operations;
uuh aJu mn
rough the better-is not only as useful but as i'm
wratiyey necessary to the farmer as TO any other
man. OF course we do not mean TO say that the
education of the farmer should be the same az that
Of the lawyer, clergyman, NC. but only that 1t
should include an equally thorough intellectual dis
cpline and an extensive acquaintance with the
scepces which have direct bearing upon his oc-
cupation True man may till the earth, and
sometimes very successfully without such an edu-
cation, and So an uneducated man may be Useful
asweM as successful clergyman lawyer; but
we still maintain that, other things being equal, he
would do still better if his mind were well disci-
piued by study and improved by an extensive ac
quaintance with the laws of nature and OF science.
There are indications not to be mistaken that
public opinion nahis matter isundergolng health
iu change Agriculture pursuit Is gradually
bu, surely working its way TO the high position
among human occupations which its intrinsic I'M
portance fully entities it to hold; and we rejoice in
the conviction that this revolution, like Others that
are fraught with blessings 20 mankind, can never
20 backward, but is destined 10 advance with q
constantly accommodating force until the msls of
prejudice and ignorance shall be dispelled by the
the igh, of nature and the discoveries OF science.
,aJ
pe,ns from the example OF class of farmers.
not yet very numerous but constantly increasing,
which has sprung into existence within the last
Ten or fifteen years. We mean the class who,
with high and noble aims, have devoted the wealth
obtained in other pursuits TO the cultivation OF the
earth. and whose liberal views and wise foresight
are generally manifested in the enthusiasm with
which they welcome the sh, which science is
continually shedding in their path Under the in
huence Of their example and of the spirit of inves
ugation which marks the present age, our farmers
generally are awakening 10 more Just apprecia-
non of the dignity Of their calling and clearer
perception of the high and noble ends to which all
their labors should be devoted.
Among the indications that era in farm
ing is about TO dawn upon our country is the in
creasng demand for agricultural books and perlodi-
Gals. II is not many years since the first Agricu-
rel paper was established in this country under
numerous discouragements and without a single
Z subscriber. Now there are some eight or ten we
believe, If not a still greater number, in various
parts Of the United States, many OF which are CEN
Quoted with great ability and well supported
And now in addition 10 all these useful publications
we have before us the first number OF stately and
dlgnihed Quarterly Journal Of agriculture aud
Scicnce,' conducted by gentlemen emlnently quail
he'd for The work they have undertaken 10 perform.
We welcome this new candidate for the support Of
the Agricultural community with q hearty enthu-
siasa, and have turned over lis welfied pages
w''hpnde and satisfaction. We cannot resist the
conviction that it is Just the publication that the
times demand, and if the presen, number may be
taken as sample ef those that are TO follow, it
certainly cannot fail OF meeting an adequate sup
port from any want Of talen, or judgment on the
PaHoi its editors and contributors Sure we are
'hatwe cannot render our agricultural readers a
mofe valuable service than in Introducing this
workto their notice, and giving them taste of It's
quality
The Editors have very appropriately prefixed 10
this number an address To the Public in which
'hey present clear and well considered Statement,
OF the scope and design Of the work and frank
svowal of the principles on which ii will be con-
Quoted. We present few OF the most important
passages.
The leading features of the Journal will be
ssucnltoral, Whatever bears directly or iadlrect-
upon The pursuit, OF farming, as a matter 81
Course. comes within our plan. and within the le-
climate field Of our iabcrs. We intend, however,
10 advocate that system Of cultivation which is
best adapted 10 this country While British and
other foreign hssbandy viii receive full share OF
attention, we hope no, to be considered singular in
he expression OF the opinion that the interests of
The American farmer should not be identified with
those of the European andhoder, and cannot
always be best promoted by pursuing those me-
hods which are found successful abroad.
The English cultivators for instance. impelled
by the humidity and comparative GOODNESS Of his
Climate, which favor the growth of the turnip and
other root crops, employ these articles very extern
S.Yeiy lnsustaining and faueniug their cattle Now
The American farmer IL ro, driven IN The No., ~