The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-10-19

were at one time few in number, they have sue
ceeded gradually, by dnt of wise precepts and by
the influence OF their own example, in making
numerous converts to their improved system of
husbandry, and in substituting for the old, i'm
perfect TOOLS implements of a superior and far
more effective kind It is to their exertions, stmu-
lated, supported, and sustained by the organiza-
ton of agricultural societies, that the Farmer is
indebted for the new energy that has been awak-
ened in him, and is now beginning to understand
and appreciate the dignity and importance of his
occupation. They have taught him the folly of
Summer fallows, and the advantages of a rotation
of crops. They have showed that old sedge fields
can be restored to more than their original fertility
by deep blowing and the proper use of manures :;
that subsoiling alone will frequently double the
crops upon farm, and is in all cases beneficial in
retaining certain amount of moisture in the soil
during seasons of drought; that a liberal use of
lime and plaster, and judicous system of under
draining will sensibly improve the general health
of neighborhood where miasmatic diseases have
prevailed, and that, in fine, wherever Science
mas brought Its artillery to bear upon the walls of
Doubling Castle, the garrison has, sooner or later,
S.iN
creton. Any one, who, fifty years ago, had pro-
posed an exhibition of agricultural implements,
would have been laughed at There was nothing
then worth exhibiting. A couple of ploughs, a
harrow, halfa-dozen hoes and spades, pitch fork
and hand rake these comprised the farmer stock
IN trade, and happy indeed was he who could boast
of having even these in good order and wel-con-
ditioned. Now, their number is legion. They
range from seam-ploughs to sausage cutters; from
reaplng and moving machines to apple-parers.
Hand labor is, in great measure, superseded
Almost every species of farm work may now be
done by machinery; whether it be blowing, sow
ing, reaping, gathering, thrashing, winnowing or
grinding. Even the old well sweep has given place
to the water RAM 1t is manifest from the great de-
mand that has sprung up of late years for these
new and useful Inventions that the light of intel
lgence is beginning to diffuse itself throughout
the country, and that, while improved methods of
culture are being introduced, private and public
interests are becoming more closely united But
to many persons, the Agricultural Fair will be more
interesting from its display of fine stock than for
Its variety of machines and implements for farm
ing purposes. Horses of superior style and &C
ton, and of the noblest symmetry; sleek oxen,
and the choicest breeds of mich cows; fine woolled
merino sheep and broad-backed Southdowns and
Leicesters. Hogs that no more resemble the
old slab-sided, long-snouted, unclean animals of
that name, than jack-pike resembles a porpoise.
And, lastly, there are fowls of every kind-Black
Swans from Australia Soand Geese, Muscovy
Ducks; Shanghais, Chittagongs, Spanish and
English game, Indian Pheasants, and host of
others, ending in the most diminutive of all, the
pugnacious and fussy little Bantam. Here, then.
is that education of the eye of which, in former
days. the farmer stood in so much need. And
here, too, within the circuit of the grounds. are
abundant evidences that he has profted by what
he has thus learned Indeed its influence is every
where apparent. The course of agricultural i'm
has been steady and progressive, and |
already, in various portions of the State fields
formerly regarded as worthless, have not only
been again brought under cultivation, but have
been rendered productive in the highest degree by
The application of fertizing agents, and by that
effective tillage which constitute together the basis
Of good husbandry.