, 1860-09-25

1R1merAs meelfugR.

iatmera' Meetings..
---
fCozset27ndecee ofthe Press and T1Ibuue.l
JAcEsoxvnlx, Eept. 10. lstp.
It has uow become the settled custcm at our
Agricultural Fairs for the farmers to collsctto.
gether in the evening, and discuss among them
selves agricultural principles, processes and re.
eultR. The interest has 50 incressed, that from
being ut small knoll gathered in little space,
alarre concouEse gathered nightly at corner Of
the dim, candle.ighted amphitheater. The in.
teEchange Of opinions and experiences has been
found 30 valuable that this feature is in itse1f
regarded ~ paying attendance at the Fair. The
discussions partake more Of the character Of
conversational statements then OF organized
debates.
on the frat evening vas introduced the rogu-
lar stock subject of drainsge. This question
has been 50 long pet one with agricultural
writer's and papers, that a general impre ssion
has obtained in the farming community Of its
great benefit; bnt 40 little has been done in CIT
S!ate, except with q few mole-drains, that rot
much experience has been gathered. Lately
many inventors hare directed their attention
in this direction, aud the consequence has been
IN influx Of all sorss of untried macbiueF, which
are generally attempted to bs advertised at
thess discussions. Beyond 4 general vague
theory as to the advantage Of drainage, nothing
was done at this meeting; no practical sug.
gestions were elected and no real good has
been ELECTED beyond The agitation Of the sub
ject.
During the latter part cf the evening, the
discussion turned upon p1ows, plowing, the ad-
vaatages Of deep p]owing in relation to differ.
e.t soils aad crops, and the plows best adapted
for different purposes. Many suggestions and
experiences were given by soma Of thu beat
practical farmers Of the State. Tbs unlversat
feeling was in favor OF deep ploWirg in all casa;
Of ea:ly ins.eud Of late 1al plowing for the
small grains; and Of spring plowiug for corn.
r 1sae a sp1pE as a %s
Very much Of feeling was excited, and many
valuable experiences we're detailed. I: may
suffice to gire as the result that the Northern
part Of the State was in favor Of spring wheat;
the Southern, Of winter wheat,
On tho third evening, the rotatiou of crons
wus selected as the subject Of diseussiou. nur.
leg the early part Of the evening many remarks
were made, embodJ ing practical suggestions of
Importance. It Vas matter Of surprise to see
so much pra:1ical intelligence exhibited. Thev
advocated generally the alienation Of corr,
clover aud rye; the theories running il tbs or.
dinary line Ct the books.
During the latter part Of The evening scme
Suggestions were made by Prot. J. b. Turner,
creating IN exciting, animating discussion.
These suggestions we7e that On ctayey loau,s.
like the soil Of Morgan county, very much Of
the benefit derived from rotation in crops re-
quits from the mere mechanical combiaed per-
haps with e: uLluo9n chemical et1=.:s, ofthese
and rendering it fine and lively, thus i.bsrating
those portions Of the food Ct tie plant before
bound up in the hard Jumps or wRds fthe soil,
and rendering it accesaibis to the fac roots ef
the plant.
Tbs suggestion is based ufoa experience
gained and experiments made in that direction |
during period Of ten years. TIE fact tha: old |
rendered hard aad lumpy b5 the coustans |
OF teams and other causes, is obvious |
to all. 1t is just as obvious that at:er it has |
been in grass lor two or three years, from some |
cause it comes up fine and lively. This me.
chaaicsl change is undoubtedly produced
and the eiI=c: of this mechanical cEaoge alone,
On the crtp, every thinking man can readily |
perceive. An equally thorough mecaauica! !
atsrituration, BY any mears, on these soi's seens
10 have similar if not the samc effect IN ia-
cseasiog the quantity Of the coming crop.
Upon the discussion Of this suggestion, |
arge humber of intelligent persons retatcd facts
by them son:lrming this theory.
The profit Of drilling rye among corn at the
as: ploHing, to bs pastured with stock during
he foil and spring, and pastu:ed down with |
logs the next summer, or cut aud saved as
,rop, was brought prominently to view by
several practical farmers 1t was contesled
hat i. was nearly as good Us clover for rein
',ating the soil.
1fet the last p1owing of the earn, a half bush
i Of re is thrown inlo the drill box attached
o .he cuftlyator, the whole cost OF thus sorn.
IN acre Of rye will be only the cost of the hal,
'ushel Of grain used. The rye thus sown will
'asture calves, colts and catiir, md especially
heep, curing the fall md winter. asd through
he early spring months; ind then will yieId
ested, or the s4me amour. in feed if pus.ured |
own With hogs,ln this case saving the cutting.
LII agreed that the benefit to th4 land Was
as1ked end pecu:iar.
Some commended that 1t would pay thus 70
ow rye for :esd. even where it was plowed up
ad Put into cora again in the spring: Thi.'
tailed to ba cne oil the secrets 0f the thrifty
aTmeSs in mnny Of the cora courties.
On the succeeding evening WIS discussed the
inject Of agricultural education. There wis
sidentiy deep aud hearty feeling in the mat
er, and the same subject was set down for dis
|
'a1r. The result attained as this meeting was
be passage Of resolutions tayoriDg q series OF
gricuEtural Lectures, aad a comn,ttte WuJ ap.
3lnted to take that matter Tito charge.
Ne would suggest that inasmuch as there
'arEecs' Meetings. have acquired .uch p.o,ui-
ence, and are doiEg Srea: good, thu! a more
oufortsble place be provided, with commod;-
Us soass, and an ample tahle for the accou,mo-
alton Of editors and reporters.
AGRICULTURAL LECTURES. >.
Our space is s, limited thAt a very little must
utlice 10 Lay what We think ia this subject. As
enera!iy conducled. the; do more harm than
ood, leaving tie impression with the turner's
hut the Lecturer has learned his knowledge |
on books. and rot in actual experience ] ae
'c.urer should be so71e man WHO has gnined
eputatioa Tor dong soEc particular th1cE suc.
essfu!ly and proitGbly ; aud who caa rel them
ow be does it. Let cur prominent stock
reeders-let Capt. Brown, or Col+. C.prou or
the met thodsttey use in eecur-
X good bTeeuirE-their precautions, Gc., il
eta1l, givluE the points Of the various breede,
leir Respective merits, aud the principles OF |
ldieious crossing Lesour prominent nursery
len giTe their process Of cultivation, Of graft
u pruning anu trimming, aud illustrate with
IL tree or vine before them and thess voula
q intel esting aud profitable tsctu.es. The
Irmcr would learn 10 do something better 1ain
etore. Let this icca b. carried out il the other
apartments OF sleek, and in all tIe various
rocssses Of s farmer 9 svery day work, and ase-
es OF agricultural lectures will be successful
nd Of xo1no real use. There can t1siiv be t
icked up dozen nea in the State who can
lIk upon subjects that they practically know
bout. and Who would be wiling to d. it for
,e good OF the many.
II the farmer finds out that there il a better
AZ thaa he practices of dong almost every
liag, he will adopt this better war, and this
i'll pave the uay for book farming. Fer be
ill waat to know the reasons for his new euc.
.ss, aad nh4n he cree CONES 10 SERIOUSLY md
Ernestly esk the question Why, be is but \ {
ep from the books with their discussions Of =
'inciples.
But If the ordinary course is adopted Of get
ag yourg, conceited agricultural writer's. and
armed professors who have all their life had {
eir feet under the tsble in .bei: study, and E1.
Wing them to spin ont long lectures upon | :
eories, ds, sub.acids, si!icases ard all that,
e farmer becomes disgusted, bis hear: is not
on TO learain; more, and the cause Of acricuI. |
raj education is retarded fur many a jorg
.ar. E. +
IItST STEAMBOAT AT CHICAGO.