The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1861-10-09

men TO train are walking on the near
side, bearing whips Of native hickory,
about six feet long, with three feet lash
attached. Except the whip, YOU would
not know. they were ox-drivers---for they
are not boisterous. The droves soon pass
by, and you have witnessed an exhibition
fiji for the most fastidious English lord.
IL Is useless TO continue the detail.
mention this TO show the interest taken
in Agricultural Fairs in other places.
Each pair of those cattle could not bring
premium TO .heir owners, nor the other
thousand things on exhibition; yet they
90 and take their cattle with them. So
of us--because We have not an hundred
yoke of Devon Cattle, il is no reason why
we should not bring what we have.
We are more interested in these agri-
cultural gatherings than the mechanic ;
for here are the products of our own anx-
iely and toll. There is satisfaction in
witnessing our success in any undertaking
which more than repays us for many
slcepless nights and daily labors. Com
petition increases the efforts and stimu-
lates to still greater exertions. 1t is the
life Of trade and the life of Agricultural
Fairs. We see it here, and find it to be
the same everywhere. This gathering Of
the various productions from all parts of
the county, the different views of 'cutiva-
lion, varieties of soil, its adaptation and
yield, the result of manures, with the
other manifold matters which come under
the farmers observation, are the interests
of to-day, and should result in improve
ment.
Ours is profession, full Of almost in
finite variety for manual and mental
exercise. The soil is our capital. 1t is
not perishable, but u reality. Not liable
to theft, nor capable Of being destroyed
Bargain and sale can not move it., nor is
it subject TO the whims Of kings, princes
or potentates; commercial crises, bank
panics, revolutions and rcbellions, have nc
} effect upon it-not so much as to disturb
the smallest atom. Hence farmers arc
termed independent. We need not
"Crook the pregnant hinges of the knee,
Where thrift may follow fawnng,"
For we have no mans nod to answer, anC
but little to ask rs favor.
Our broad shoulders uphold all othe
occupations; our caloused hands furnish
their daily bread. We are the pillar:
which support the building over the Phil
istnes; and the Sampson that undermine:
, them brings destruction and desolalion
! If, then, our capital, the soil, is of sucf
vast importance, how necessary that i
should receive our closest attention anC
: study. The mechanic, in order to furnisl
/ n fair specimen of his labor, looks well tc
, his capital--his machinery and material
! His lathe is examined, cleaned and nicey
. adjusted, the planer is put in order, The
: tool just The temper, and when all Is
right in this department he is ready so
the materal-the iron. This must be o
sufficient and proper tenacty or malleabil
ity TO make the product perfect and &
! answer the end designed. Everythin!
r must be in harmony. 1t should be s.
with the farmer; the soil should be ex
: amincd, and its properties understood, rel
! atiye to the crcp TO be raised In cthe
J.. words, its adaptation. This involves
e knowledge of chemistry which few of u
: possess. We have been governed by it
laws in every crop raised, or ever wi
: raise. The idea of farming upon scien
: tiic principles may be secuted and calle
: nonsense; but so long as we are subjec
. to this law, through ignorance, it deserve
/ our attention. 1t is of recent date tina
t much interest has been directed in thi
d channel, and / believe the day is not ia
d distant when we shall farm it understand
S ingIy, according TO fixed laws, and not a
g now after the traditions Of our ancestors
v This wonderful science of affinites
|, the key to successful farming. To sur
i ply the soil Of what it is deficient, eithC
IS in lime, potash or salt, in order TO raise
If good crop of wheat, for instance, is {
absolute necessity; and so of other crops
., There must be an adaptation Of soil
e the cereal put upon it. To practice ~
|. cording to the education of our yout
O has been the habit, without risking th
r trial Of something different A scienc
t is truth. If chemistry, as applied
n farming, is science, it is also trutl
le As we become familiar with this trut
i. we shall follow its teachings, aud becom
le more successful in our practice. A Gro
II of wheat, corn, rye, or oats, will then |
N under the control of the husbandman, c,
A. cept the influence Of rain and sunshin
" The proper place for the discussion of til
p subject is the club-room, and would SUI
of gest the propriety of organizing farmer
n club, in every township, if not alread
,n done, TO meet at stated periods for the di
il cussion of subjects pertaining 10 the farm
s. ing interest.
st One peculiar characteristic of this coul
ty is variety of combination of san,
ID loam, and clay, upon the same sectio
,lf and frequently found within small rad
Of us of forty acres or less. The cultv
n ton Of such tracts is generally uniforr
h, both as TO crops and fertilizers, resultr