Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-11-06
IMPORTANT TO FARMERS.
Agriculture in Germany----Letter from
Governor Wright

BERLIN, Aug. 6, 1858.
DEAR srR: After an absence of a few days among
the best farmers and agricultural schools Of this
country l comply with my long neglected promise
had not time TO visit Belgium, nor the most south
ern districts Of Germany, where it is said sgrieul
ture has reached a great degree of PERFECTION
Should such opportunity occur, you shall hear
from me again.
Most interesting was my visit to Hohenheim, the
great Agricultural School of Europe Its name,
literally, the high home derived from its position
near the summit of lofty hill about eight miles
suggests at once the enrolling and elevaiing char
acter Of its influence upon sll houses that come
within its range An institution where young men
Of all ranks and conditions of life from the son of
the poorest peasant TO the heir of the Kingdom are
thoroughly, practically and scientifically instructed
in those pursuits upon which the essential prosper
ity of every country depends, have thought that
brief sketch of its history and its plan of instruc
ton might furnish some useful hints, and interesting
facts the farmers of State, TO whom every
thing connected with the progress of sgricuture has
importance which cau no be too highly eStimat d.
As at present organize /, the Agricultural school
at Hohenhem eOmpri-e- five hundrTd acres of oul-
tivated col, and more than five thousand acres OF
forest. The rooms in the old Ducal palace have
dergone genuine democratic transformation into
lecture halls, cabne for various C lle,t ons stu
dents apartments, and the ike. There, under the
direction of Twelve prOfe-. Ors, selearei f.. m all
parts o. Germany for he eminence of their scien if
io and practical stainmenrs. from WO hun
bred young men devoie hem,elses to The study OF
agriculture, and all the various branches OF kn VI
edse theoretically or practically counec ed there
with Practical instruction is gwen in such a IN
ner that each student becomes borough Y learned
in all the departments Of knowledge comprised un-
der he general term agriculture But as each pu
Dill must necessarily master all these Departments
within three years, 1t is necessary 10 pursue
cer.ain fixed course Of instruction Tor the gradual
practical educat on of the Rgrculturist Hence his
first wear is devoted to the simpler and Ugh duties
of the farm, such fall to the lot Of our " ehore
boys" gradually proceeding to the harder and
more important such as the preparation OF compost
the sowing of gypsum, haying and harvesting and
the like. The second year he earnsto manage oxen,
to plow and is obliged in addition TO take the whole
charge OF his team In the intervals Of his severer
labors he must Pay attention to The culture Of trees,
to the storage of different kinds Of grain, &c. The
third aud last year is devoted 10 the man9 cement
Of the horse, to heavy blowing, TO the Application
Of the mos improved machinery to farm labor, 10
sowing and all the higher dep 3rtInents of agricu
ture In the course of the year opportunity Is afford
ed for learning the manufacture Of sugar the most
improved method of brewing, SC, and the construc-
ii n of machines and tools To conclude the course
of practical education, those pupils who have made
satisfactory progress are appointed overseerers Of
the under scholars and thus have the best opportu
nifty 10 test the worth and thoroughness OF their
own culture.
In all the departments of the School, theory and
prsctice 90 hand in hand. The students not only
learn the ho, but the Uhy Of every operation cons
nected with agriculture. For example, while learn
inq the practical management Of the horse, they
must study bis whole anatomy, thoroughly
medical students study the anatomy Of the human
frame The professors illus rate their lectures from
skeletons, stuffed specimens, and the most perfect
artificial models that can be procured
NV introduction to this celebrated institution was
the hearing Of aleoture by Professor Rau, on the
manufacture of cheese have just remarked that
theory and practice in this School 60 hand in hand
and here was good illustration of the principle
Sixty gallons of milk we're placed upon the fire
when the lecture began, and the whole process of
cheese making was theoretically explained and
practically developed. Fifteen young gentlemen,
one of them, if mistake not, the son of Prince,
listened for more than an hour TO the Professors in
teresting exposition. The lecture enlivened by
pleasant remarks growing out Of the subject and in
the course of il the Professor took occasion to cons
bat the idea that English grass, English air, or
English fogs combined or seVeray, essential to
the manufacture Of good cheese. He insisted that
good milk and right understanding and spphca |
ton of the best methods the only essential
dition in the making though age Is necessary TO |
bring out the finest flavor. If well made and prop
erly cared for, he remarked cheese Will keep good
for half a century. It was formerly the custom in
child by the manufacture Of immense cheese, /
which was then buried, and kept 10 be eaten only |
when the son or daughter TO WhOmt belonged should
be married,
From the lecture room passed, under the guild
snce Of Prof Rsu the silk room, kept solely for
experiments as the silk does not thrive in this
climate Thence went to thecsbinet, where models
md specimens Of farming implements, Of almost
very age and description, are 10 be found saw
very curious series Of pillow models from the rudest
vooden machine of old Roman times TO the latest
improved pattern of Starbuok & Son, Of New York
The collection would remind you Of the Patent Of
Ice in Washington.
After passing hurriedly through various eollee
ions of stuffed specimens Of wild snd domestic ami
nails of diff rent kinds Of wood, Of curious AFRICA
ions. took rapid survey Of the experimental
eds where all manner of agricultural problems
re attemped-such as the effect Of this or that soil
pom every kind Of grain, the eheei OF different and
uecessive crops upon the same soil, the method OF
ulure best adapted to several crops and so onto the
nd Of the list | cannot undertake, within the I'm
IS Of a single letter. to enumerate all the different
rops which I saw growing de by side iu 'hese
eds. There was Turkish tobacco, Maryland to-
acco, indian corn, many kinds Of gram peculiar
our country, either in separatelOis CT ntermixed
hese6elds subject the most careful attention
very circumstance Of growth, success or Ia lure,
noted with great precision and caution. Only at
r three four or even Eve experiments, when there
ems to be no room for uncertainty or probability