The New York herald., 1845-02-07
872, i07, 900 III, $4,000 396,7sO 2Ol. 10Y 0O
Remarks on the Tabular Estlmatcs.

1
on sss TaSai%s u .sfn.ss: ssf 80
The results of an extended examination into g
l great variety of sources Of information are limbo
died IN the tabular estimate of crops presen
| ted The elements from which the data are
l compounded, are the same as those mentioned in
| the report Of the Commissioner of Patents, sub.
| mitted to Congress, February !, 1913. Among
these are
The average annual increase of yop,laf;on -
To this increase additions have been made in the
OF States or Territories where there is reason
to suppose the amount OF immigration has exceed.
ed that OF former years, as IN Iowa, Wisconsin,
Missouri, and Michigan; while from some others
which have sent out larger portion of their popu.
lation than usual, deduction has been thought
necessary.
2. The new lands brought under cultivation. ney
means Of communication, markets, and revival of
business. These causes have had an important in
tiaence the past year, probably greater than in the
former years Some new markets have been
opened Tor particular articles, well as the app-
cation OF products in manufacture, OF which
notice will hereafter be taken. The number of
persons who have thus been turned from the d.
rect prosecution of agriculture to otherpursus, is,
no doubt, considerable.
3. The third specified element, the accidental
or occasio'sat has likewise exerred its influence in
modifying the results of the year. Some of the
crops are 30 much later IN coming to maturity
than others. and DO not require to be planted as
has an opportunity to learn the probabilities OF
success in time to supply the loss Of one produc,
by sowing or planting another. This applies, per-
crops, which are not enumerated in the tabular
estimate; but It is, 10 some degree applicable to the
winter grams, compared with maize or Indian
corn, and potatoes.
A. The peculidrities of the season have this vea,
been most decisive on the results of the crops. In
Decd the uniformity IN this respect, the past wear.
has been more striking than usual comparison
of the agricultural journals and tables of the wea
of :.
result 1t is true that the difference of situation
as regards the climate, face of the country, soil.
vicinity to the ocean, rivers. or lakes, contributes
to modify this element and to prevent that mi
versal similarity which would be otherwise seen
But the approximation OF the extremes of the seye-
raj parts OF our country, as regards climate, is a
fact which will scarcely be denied by any one who
is in the habit Of rejecting on this subject The
richness of a soil often exercises no little infu-
encc in making it warmer, which often tends to
counteract the effect OF the weather. Thus, the
rich soil IN the West will yield fine crop Of grain,
even though the sky may have been cloudy, and
the weather comparatively unfavorabe when the
same season, in the harder and leaner soil of New
England, would have been destructive to the crop
The improvement of modes and Instruments
cultures, seeds, and n'anMres, has been so steadily
advancing, that 1t would be improper to disregard
The influence of sach an element in forming the
estimate of agricultural production in our country
tons and discoveries, but former ones are also fur
ther extended by means OF the increased disposition
70 become acquainted with them, which seems wear.
lyto be manifested among thefarmers OF our country
II cannot be expected that all new varites of seedp
presented TO the public should be equally successful
when brought to the test but enough are proved
20 render this subject one of great interest to the
agricultural community. The trial Of new imple-
ments is becoming more thorough; and however
adventurous causes may operate to give tempora
~ success to some that are less deserving vet the
practical test soon places them in their true posi-
zion. Any attempts at imposition will sooner or
inte q hpfo
public.
In addition to the remarks made in the report of
last year, on the causes which operate to promote
he Improvement of agriculture in the United
States, the highly beneficial effects OF agricultural
conventions, for the discussion of subjects connect
ed with the agriculture OF our country, deserve par
ticular notice. These. sometimes existing also nm
der the name of Farmers Clubs, are doing much
10 disseminate useful information They are an
advance on the agricultural societies, as they al.
low more full examination of the subjects propos-
ed, and elicit much valuable information The
aumber of them, as well as of agricultural papers
and books, is greatly increasing. Nearly every
State in the Union has now it's agricultural month.
y or weekly paper, and in some Of the States there
are as many as three or four. Volumes of great
merit on the subjects OF agricultural industry, ALSO
have been published during the past year; and the
results Of the experiments of foreign agricuurists
are now becoming more easily accessible to the
farmers of our country. Science has already con-
ferred immense benefits on this portion of our peo
pie. Many are unaware Of the great things which
may be expected from the advance of knowledge
in these respects among us. A fact or two NAV.
therefore, be suitably mentioned. BY the aid OF
chemistry 1t 10 asserted that the wheat growers OF
France have succeeded in doubling the product OF
wheat In that kingdom, and now annually harvest
more wheat than IL grown in Great Britain and
the United States. Science, too, has enabled the
agriculturists OF England not only to cut twice as
much hay from an acre OF land now, a. they did
twenty-five years ago. but to keep twice as many
cattle, sheep, and swine, on the same amount Of
TODD as they did and, of course, to make twice az
much beef, mutton, and tall0w, wool, butter, and
cheese. from any given amount of vegetable food
The celebrated Lavoisier is said to have cult.
waited 240 acres Of land in La vendee on chemical
principles, and was 10 successful that he obtained
third OF crop more than by the usual method.
and In nine years his produce was double. This,
TOO, wa; many years since, when the researches
amount of results furnished by accurate investisa.
ions, were unknown. The effect OF science. in its
application to agriculture, is to furnish correct prn-
clples on which the farmer may proceed in the
management Of his farm, and to remove difficulties
which may be more or less expected from the sea.
sons, and 9. variety of adverse causes Soils are
SO differently composed, that general rules canno,
always be reeorted to for their MANAGEMENT; what
Is well adapted TO one crop, manure, or mode OF
culture, is not equally to another Let the far
mer understand (as he may easily do) the elements
which enter inte the composition Of the soils and
the manures which he employs; and how often
may he save himself from disappointment, TO which
ne would otherwise be exposed The same remark
may oe extended also to the operation of scientific
knowledge la preventing the diseases to which va.
rlous products are liable; and the o culture
peculiarly appropriate for particular circumstances
with substitutes for the usual food, and the amount
for consumption needed. The diffusion of such
information, by the means Of agricultural societies
and journals, with the encouragement given 10 i'm
provcment, has very greatly affected the
of the farms, stocks, and daries Of those by whom
the suggestions made have been most practlsrd. A
decisive example Of this is the following, Under
the immediate influence of the Highland ASr;cul
tural Society in Scotland, wheat has averaged 81
bushels to the acre, where but little was formerly
grown.
The publication of such results, together with
the success of similar experiments in our own
country. must have powerful influence in diss-
pating the prejudice which has been great against
what is called "book farming" 1t is a matter Of
congratulation that the different State governments
/ are becoming more sensible Of the claim which
| me agricultural class have upon them; and that
the geological and othar in ordered hv