The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-01-24
For the Minnesotian.
Suggestions to Farmers.

suggestions to Farmers.
MESsRs EDITORS: Dare presume to IN.
wade the columns of your paper with an arti-
Gle upoi subject-in itself more interesting
than all else combined? mean the subiect
OF Agriculture, the chief of sciences, Ger
talnly, everything that aims towards the ad.
vancement of agricultural knowledge. ought
to be received by an intelligent public, wheth-
er the object aimed at is attained or not !:
and 1t strikes me as peculiarly necessary. and
highly profitable. that this branch of labor
should receive much attention in this, our
northern cllme.
What but agriculture can secure the perm
anent wealth, stability and happiness of a
tree people ? AS it is the chief source whence
we draw subsistence, thus ought it to be the
do'lang object of the agriculturist to promote
it. As by its high development a nation be-
comes more securely wealthy and happy,
so should the government of nation foster
its highest interests. Individuals can do
much. Governments can do more. Every
American ought to be thankful for what Con-
gress has already done for the interests of
agriculture; for what it is now doing; for
the fair prospect before us.
there are many things which crowd upon
our notice to-day, of which we ought to
write, that pertains to the great theme before
us. One thing, however, at time, if we
expect to do any good.
In former article requested information
on the propricty of hedging in this country.
| wish to direct atte"tion to this subject
again. am reminded, at this moment of a
conversation had with friend . few days
ago, who said in the course of his remarks
that "people were foolish to think of hedg-
ing this country where timber ras so plsnty.''
Now it happens that that friend has a farm
very near the river, which is prttty well
stocked with timber. OF course, hedging is
matter of small importance to him, though
it could not be with me, were in the same
circumstances as to abundance of timber !:
for, although advocate the planting of hedg-
es, and bring forward for one argument, the
scarcity of wood, yet in case Of abundance Of
wood, | should still advocate their use for
these reasons: When full grown they are
better barrier than wooden fences. With
little attention they are perpetual. Besides,
they are ornamental. The raising Of hedges
is "a pleasant and profitable occupation, &c.
Further, we deny that this country is so
well timbered that the subject of fencing
need not be one of anxiety. There is great
deal of timber in the country. Some regions
possess superabundance of it others are
almost or quite destitute of it. That is the
difticulty-it is not equally distributed
Vast prairies, many miles in extent, are fire.
quently found. These, everywhere, sooner
or later, must become the abodes of farmers
Not only the culture of hedges, but the cul-
ture of timber for fire and other purposes
must and will demand attention. 1t will be-
come part and par"el of the prairie farmers
annual duties to cultivate them, and his sue
cess, and satisfa ;tion at the results, will
test the truth of what have just written.
If the cultivation of hedges and timber is
possible, it will be carried forward. 1t is in
the progress of agriculture, and that is de-
cided. Course of time will develop it. a
But l find am spinning this article to
some length, without, l fear, much interest
in it. In another article wish to discourse
more on the proper way of cultivating hedge
plants, kinds to be cultivated, &c. Informa-
tion is solicited. Experiments ought to find
their. way to the public especially if
successful. RUsrICus.