The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-07-12


tons. Mott ing can be more absuri than to attempt
raising particular crops upon land where the sell
rally i'll calculated for their production. To nud out
what corn grass plants most suitable and appo
site 70 the ground that il 10 be planted 10 the
incest part of a farmers busiDess"
The average produce Of whsat in New York in 1794,
stated at only twelve bushels 10 the acre. and of
Dutchess county only sixteen bushels. The average of
maize Indian corn, at the time twenty FIVE
bushels thirty bushels per being considered tsen
great crops yet the average Of the State of New York
was stated then superior to that of other State in
the Union. The farmers at that period destitute Of
the proper implements of hustapdy The cast iron plough
had not been invented the horse hsy rake the thresh
ing machine, the roller, and the cutvator
and indis pensabe with large farmers, then
unknown if any of them had been invented they
SO imperfect and so little used a. to produce no effect ON
the general state of agriculture Our farmers for
merly very negligent in regard to improving the breed
Of domestic animals Recently. however, the efforts of
few public spirited persops in introducing CATTLE swne
and sheep, from improved stocks in Europe have been
crowned with g,eat The horses has been
less improved although considerable advances have been
made in the stock Of that noble animal The breed of
merino sheep now so generally diued throughout the
Northern and Western States, introduced into this
country from Soan theeary part Of this century, by
Colonel Humphreys of Connecticut and Chancellor Iiv
ingston, of New York.
While the New York Agricultural Society of 1903 gave
to agriculture the impulse which has resulted prop
tiousy is apparent that institution defective
in omtting to establish fairs gatherings, in which
farmers and patrons OF the art might exchange friendly
greetings and become acquainted with improvements of
tiage and implements. In 1sl9 under the adminstra
ton OF De Witt Clinton and by his recommendation,
act the New York Legislature passed appropriat
uOt tent nd fOury YEA tn m
prove agriculture the arts and manufactures. Board
of Agriculture established and provision made
to induce the organization Of societies throughout
the State. The anniversaries of these societies
were the farmers holidays, when lectures and
addresses we're delivered, and premiums
awarded those who produced the finest animals the
largest and best crops the most useful Inventions and
superior domestic brics but the societies angush
ed and became extinct The chief fault of the law of
1919 was that did not hold out sucien. inducements
to voluntary effort. The distribution Of the public
money was unconditional and when it ceased the soce
ties without funds Nevertheless the act Of 1919
was followed by very beneficial results. Among these
were the improvement Of the breeds of domestic animals
the invention Of many useful implements Of husbandry,
and the introduction of methods of culture In 1S41
q act passed by the LegslatuIe Of New York.
An appropriation made Of eight thousand dollars
nualy for Eve years. and since continued to the State
Agricultural Society, the American Institute Of New
York, and societies in other counties In the State-on
condition. however, that they should respectively devote
to the improvement of agriculture funds otherwise
qurd equal to the contributed by the State The
effects Of this benefcent law in the volumes
containing the transactions OF the State and county agr
cultural societies. from 1s4l to 1851 ncusve in the
general attention to agricultural science and in the
nua exhibitions and fairs Of the State Agricultural Soce
ty, and the several county associations.
The numerous agricultural journals established
Throughout the country have contributed much to the
promotion of that important science. These journals
have not merely dused information concerning the pro-
gess Of agriculture but they have assigned to the farmer
bis proper position and just influence in society," and
shown him the Importance Of intellectual requirement
They have elevated the occupation n popular respect
the dignity ofa profession. Here too in Europe, agr
culture has advantages from intimate connexion
with science. TO Sir Humphrey Davy belongs the honor
Of making chemistry subservient to the Davy was
followed BY Chapal Liebig and Johnston The works of
these and other European authors have now attained
very general circulation, and American writer's on
agricultural chemistry and other branches OF useful
science have contributed to improve the intelligence
farmers It is worthy Of remark that those who have
done most by their genius enterprise and experiments
for the promotion Of agriculture in this country have
been professional men, merchants mechanics aud were
not originally bred to the plough and the field. Retiring
from their professions the active pursuits Of bus
ness life they have Brought to the aid Of agriculture the
aids Of science aud Skill which have been neglected by
farmers, accustomed to follow without yarableness the
mannera and prejudices Of their fathers.
Agricultural societies and agricultural journal, ara now
common throughout the Unon and this primeva science
is the study of practical men, as well as of retired
gentlemen of fortune, in every part Of the country
Horticulture was pracsed merely useful art from
an early period great variety of fine fruits and plants
was introduced after the Revolutionary war; By the
late William Prince and James Bloodgood who established
nurseries on IOsg Island Many Americans travelling
abroad sent home and valuable varieties Of trees and
plants Chancellor Livingston and others took especial
pains to introduce seeds Of valuable plants which have
fourifhed and became abundant. The New York Horti
cultural Society formed by a number of amateurs
and practical gardeners, in 1918. The FIRST president
was Thomas Storm, and among its active members were
Dr.. Hosack De Witt Clinton, DR.. Mitchell, and Martin
Hoffman, also Messrs Wilson, Bridgeman, and Hogg as
practical gardeners. Under the fostering of this
society. horticulture acquired rapid growth The Nec
Yosf Farmers and Horticultural Rpository edited BY
Samuel Fleet, was organ Of this society
close Investigation into the history of the plants
peculiar to different parts OF the globe the original
distribution Of plants among the of the human
family and the great revolutions which have occurred
in the distribution Of plants and their present condition.
will show that 1t is almost solely the Caucasian races
which have effected these revolutions and that these
have taken place almost simultaneously with the ncreas
ing civilization Of these The Caucasian races and
above all, the Europeans, and their descendants in
America, have been able to transplant by degrees
into their homes, the characteristic plants
Of other races They have brought the finer kinds of
fruit the almond the apricot and the pesch from Asia
Minor and Persia; the ornnge from China They have
trsnspanted rice and cotton from the East the coasts
OF the Mediterranean and the continent of America;
brought maize Indian and the potato from Spanish
America TO Europe and the United States where they
form important part Of the food of millions of human
beings. These races have moreover been able BY their
extensive industry and commerce. to acquire possession
of the products Of foreign characteristic plants which
will not thrive ath home. They have procured partly
for daily necessities the tea Of the Chinese the
coffee Of the Arabs and the rice and cotton of the Hin