The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1863-10-08

advance in the use of machines has been VIC
lently resisted. All will recall the story OF tho
Tanning mill in Scotland, and III Italy as late
as 1848 cargo of improved ploughs even,
were not allowed to be used by the laboreTs'
So slowly in some countries the masses learn
their true interests. Thus it is said, in some
part of enlightened England, farmers still pre-
fer to drive horses before the plough IN .tlt
rather than abreast, and the story runs that
somewhere in the old world men yet go to
mill with bag of grain on one side Of the
horse balanced by bag of stones ON the 9TH
er not having yet learned that equal weights
of grain will balance each other quite as well.
The Improvements in the system Of chti-
walton have consisted in the better rotation 0!
crops instead of the Ancient Fallows in irrl-
cation, subsoil ploughing, under draining, and
use of inorganic manures.
The appropriation of those is 10 doubt d
great benefit every where yet the advantage
or profit in their use, must greatly differ ac-
cording to situation and the circumstances o.
each farm.
Engaged as we are in the development OF a
fresh, virgin soil, they appear Of much less Inn
portanCe than to those now repairing IN the
old countries the waste and exhaustion OF for
mer generations. The needs which they sug-
gest may serve however,. as a valuable cau-
ton to US all, in our manner Of treatment OF
the rich soils which we enjoy.
. Already in some of our fields decreasing
crops, and lighter weight, warn us of the dan
ger of too constant grain cultivation and re-
mind us of the rest, which nature inexorably
demands
The scientific principles upon which all veg
citation proceeds, have within the last few
years been made the subject Of the most dill
gent scrutiny. Liebig, Boussingault, Johnston,
have analysed the soils, and the crops, the
conditions Of climate, processes Of vegetation
with diligence, and intelligence that have
produced many important results.
am reminded that the discussion of these
principles and their special adaptations is the
favorite field of the book makers, and consti-
tute especially that ''Book Farming" which is
SO repugnant to many of us.
1t has been the misfortune of too many OF
these writers, and to our own injury as a class
to lose sight of the fact that Farming is per-
haps an Art, even more than science and
that the right use of tools, the skilful applica-
ton of labor the economical use Of means at
his command, are practical questions often OF
more immediate interest to the farmer than
the knowledge of ingredients. Chemical an
alysis is but one branch of Rural Economy.
Boussingault, the distinguished French Ag-
ricultural Chemist, whose name ranks quite as
high on the Continent of Europe as that Of
Liebig and Johnston, once made this remark
to his class in my hearing. Science shows
us the deficiencies of the soil, and points out
the means of amendment, but the application
must be made with great caution. Much will
depend on the situation and necessary outlay
and in most situations and under ordinary
circumstances it will be best to make use Of
the means which are naturally at your dis
posal."
In contrast with the sound opinion Of this
truly great man appear the charlatan recon-
mendations promulgated in many Of our Ag-
ricultural works.
An instance occurs to me in point. In 1854
| resided near the Hudson River in the State
of New York A number of my neighbors
felt great desire, to hear from his own lips
the views of the Editor of then popular Ag-
ricultural Paper and we invited him to Lee
ture before us. He came and PASSED two even
ings and one day in thus enli9htening U.s.
The super phosphates were his speciality. He
told us that he thought it folly to make use
of barn yard manures. He would either burn
them or send them adrift on the nearest stream.
The soils did not need these things. The all es-
sential elements had been carried off in milk
and bone, or grain and what was wanted now to
restore the pasture to fertility, was just a very
little of the superphosphate. A slight sprinkle
Of this upon our exhausted fields and they
would again rejoice in abundant harvests, A
dash OF it in our soups even, and RhuCmatlc
limbs, and Wheeling lungs would grow sound
er than at first In fine the man had man
ufactory of superphosphates,a and the beauty Of
it was, as we learned upon inquiring Of his
gardner, that he himself used his barn yard
manures and sold to his dupes his superphos-
pilates. 1t is not in human nature, not to
have some distaste for scientific opinions set
forth by charlatans like these. Yet in our dis
gust let us not forget the debt we owe to sci
ence and to the few sound Agricultural Jour
nails that have recorded and disseminated
many truths so conducive to our success. In
the Laboratory have been settled many ques-
ton of practical interests and utility to the
Farmers. Agriculture is indeed so far as it is
a science, science approved by experience,
and there must have been period when sys-
TENS now habitually employed, were only
Theories. Our best Books and Journals are
merely convenient means Of preserving, and
the conclusions of intelligent
men whom situation learning and opportuni-
ties have favored with peculiar means of OBJ
servation.
1t may illustrate some of the ideas popular
with many advanced Agriculturists and serve
to entertain us few moments, to notice some
Farms in which the new systems have been
employed in those countries where it is claim
ed Agriculture has been carried 10 the high
est degree Of perfection.
The North Of England and the South of
Scotland are thought to present some Of the
best specimens of Economical and profitable
agriculture in the British Empire-pr0ducng
the best rent to the landlord, and largest profit
to the Farmer.
About nine miles from Edinburgh near Md
dry Castle and Dundas House is farm of one
acres, which was reported some u
years ago to be one of the best managed farms
in Scotland. The farm consisted of series
of gently undulating hills, with soil ofsandy
Ioam, between which were intervals of cold,
wet meadows. The house was on gentle ell
ovation commanding pleasant view of dis
tant Salisbury. crags, and the Halls around, of
many an old Scotch family. Not far distant
from the House was group of some four or
five stone cottages, forming a little village by
themselves and at one side the barns and sheds.
The most striking feature ofthe place wasa high
towering over all, intended for the
steam power, and which gave the whole es-
the air of great mandatory
This was Lease farm, the lease being for
seventeen years The occupant at that time
paid annually Five pounds Sterling, per an
He was then engaged in under draining with
tile in lines from twelve to twenty feet apart,
and at cost of Three Pounds per acre.
His object was to produce some grain, but
chiefly beef and mutton. He told me that the
first five years his outlay would much exceed
his income, after that his profits would reim-
burse his large expenses, He had a steam
mill to prepare the food for his cattle and
sheep. The power was also used in threshing
and served some other uses He subsoiled