ple, the politician, anxious to secure his election, has complimented the agriculturist to the fullest extent. He has called him the sinew of the country-the bone and muscle of the state, the sine qua non of society-while at the same time he has used him as a tool, wherewith he has worked himself into office, but he has taken good care, after once installed, to do nothing whatever for the benefit of agriculture. The merchant compliments agriculture, and talks of the beauties and charms of a country life-he sighs for the time when he can retire from the cares of business, and settle himself upon a farm. So, too, the lawyer, the doctor-each in turn, long for the hour when they may lead a farmer's life. Indeed, farming seems to these men a kind of Eldorado, a perfect elysium, a resting place from all their labors. But this idea of farming is very different from the life that the practical agriculturist is leading. Few of the classes spoken of would like to become working farmers, or be dependent upon their farms for a support. All they mean is simply, that having accumulated money in other occupations, they are willing to spend a portion of it in rural pleasures. What then is it, about what is called practical agriculture, that ceases to attract men to it, and even drives them from its ranks? But one answer to this question meets us on every side-its hard labor and small profit! And looking about through many sections of the country, seeing how many farmers live, (or rather exist,) one might almost be inclined to submit fully to the answer, and join in the general saying, that farming is truly all work and no profit, or very little at least. Look at that man, says one; he has toiled, toiled, toiled, through long days and weary years, and what has he made something to be sure-but what he has got has been gained more by saving than making. He has denied himself the fruit of his own labor. He has stinted himself and his family, and scarce allowed them the common necessaries of life, and for what? Why to get a few paltry dollars together, that had he been engaged in any other business, he might have obtained with half the toil. Thus says the opposer of agriculture as an occupation, and he backs his assertion not by one case alone, but by scores. following it had be themselves to the gain a livelihoodstance, paid a fair then, indeed, we mi and might conside one. But I think e can be proved. But again, in alm cultural societies ex of practical agricul miums offered for c the societies all dem parties concerned, surveys the ground, and the person or p and harvesting the deception. The net deducting all expens varies from $30 to circumstances-the $50 per acre. I pre this is a large profit But, says one, still be made by farming acre; it is not to be e his whole farm in suc the very point that I tion of the farmers in least. It is a system bined with proper cal are we to look for larg can never more than is the only true syster he cultivates 10 acres thought of this, scann turned it over and over I have read about it, t fied that it is in the dif thorough culture, that some farmers make so And now, in the next p the subject rapidly, as article like this, we can the whole ground,) how introduce this system calculation to the farm There are two ways in Now, for my own part, I have ever considered and they are both some agriculture as the most useful and honorable of By practicing it oursel all occupations, and as such, I am willing to stand utility, and by inducing by it through good and through evil report. I subjects connected with love its toils, for they are at least honest toils. I first of these things is love its labors, for they are Heaven ordained. some difficulty attends th Nor do I believe a righteous Providence ever prejudices-to break dow meant that an occupation, which is universally suited to by-gone daysacknowledged, by great minds, at least, to be at and reflect about what th the fountain head of all social prosperity, should needed no thought or r be one so wanting in attraction, and in the proper many other things are ha reward due to labor, as to drive from its ranks all let us not despair-the of men of refinement and intelligence. Without is a great one, and pat wishing then, at present, to deny the objections will do much. 80 often urged against agriculture as an occupation, First, then, I say, let u let us rather admit the facts of the case, and trying operations in a pro to find out whether the occupation, or the men regard to the fact that we pursuing it, are in fault, and then seek for the of our labor and to receiv remedy. profit upon our capital in regular accounts with the our farms-the stock, cro Now, if it could be proved, that no man had ever gained a competency for his labor, through her live stock, grain, or aught Il what pays a profit and what nothing, perhaps, in which re more negligent than in this g accounts. Few, so called, ave any idea of what number yoke of oxen will consume ng season; so too of cows, c.; everything is fed by guess quence much farm produce is oo. Merchants keep accounts, business would certainly prove erchant to buy goods, who has ly from some city or distant not yet seen his bills or made ost, and what will he tell you? r, what to ask for those goods. ulated their cost." But alas! farmers do? They calculate g. We raised this grain, say afford to feed it out, it cost us friend, is the expenditure of which that bushel of corn or , nothing? Were the drops row, with which thou watered h the long summer day, worth men in other occupations, live ether of the body or the mind. iend, and know what thy labor at circumstances alter cases, and ems of agriculture are suited to ; but I do say, without fear of t in many sections the system , is such an one, that without onomy, amounting even to parsi uld not live by their labor; and ilt, not to our noble calling, but and want of calculation of those I have no theory to support, no serve; I only wish to awaken se subjects among farmers, and the farmers of this section of I am wrong in my views, no ier to be set right. he question, how shall we induce upon the subjects connected with let me propose the following know of its ever having been ill succeed generally, but perhaps s at least may be benefitted by it. given out that monthly meetings district will be called, beginning ending in March; this would give ing the winter. Let the district the place of meeting. At these h articles be read from the TransSociety, and from agricultural be deemed interesting and bene esent. ill get together and listen to a hereas if they remained at home touch a book during a winter oze in the chimney corner, or e, or be at work at some manual they could not spare time to read tions as the following be presented eration: The cost of rearing stock, birth till three years old; the L. I.-Y number of pounds of hay a yoke of oxen will consume during the foddering season; the cost of wintering, (not half starving,) a cow, a horse, a sheep, &c., &c., during the whole foddering season; the number of quarts of milk given by a good cow during the year; the number of quarts given by the same during the first week after the calf has been taken away, or four weeks after calving-this to be done by actual measurement in a quart measure, not by milking in a pail supposed to hold a certain number of quarts; the number of bushels of corn usually raised on an acre in the neighbourhood; same of oats, of rye, buckwheat, &c., &c., actual measurement to be taken, instead of cart loads; the usual value of cows in the fall; the usual value of same animals in the spring; what a farmer gets therefore, for wintering said animals; the value of each farmer's hay, stalks, grain, &c., in the fall; the value of stock in the fall; the value of his stock in the spring, after consuming his hay, grain, &c., &c.; what his cows realized for him in the shape of milk and butter, during the season; how much nett profit they make him after deducting all expenses; the number of pounds that a bushel of corn weighs each year; same of wheat, rye, oats, buckwheat, &c., &c. These, and a hundred other questions of practical value, might be proposed at the various meetings. Let a number of farmers present take three or four of these questions at each meeting, and answer them as far as practicable, at the next meeting. Some of them would require a season to test them in-they can be given out and reported upon at the next winter meetings. These meetings will act as aids to the county agricultural societies, and through their means many men may be induced to join those valuable institutions, who would otherwise give themselves no trouble about them. The various questions may one and all of them have been tested by many intelligent and reading farmers, but I am pretty certain few (so called) practical farmers, have ever taken the pains to try any of them. Let such plain questions be once fairly put to trial, and I think the result would be a mass of facts that could not fail of being greatly beneficial to the interests of the farmers in their respective neighborhoods. We would then know better than most men, how to shape our course. By this means, a change in the mode of farming in some districts, might be brought about, and a more profitable course than the one pursued, might be adopted. What was proved to be unprofitable in one part of our country, would be left to be pursued in another, where it could be done with more advantage. Many other things suggest themselves, but we will leave them to the reflecting minds of those noble spirits, a few of whom may be found in almost every neighborhood, who are wrapped up in the great cause of agriculture, and whose hearts are beating with high hopes and aspirations to elevate that noble, but hitherto down-trodden calling. AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. WHAT CAN BE DONE WITH PRESENT MEANS.— While much has been said, both wisely and un wisely, concerning the establishment of great upon them, but Agricultural Schools; and while all attempts admirable simpli towards their endowment by state funds, have their arrangemen signally failed-is it not well to consider what can considerable expe be accomplished with existing means? The es- more satisfactoy tablishment of Agricultural Colleges, is certainly, on all accounts, desirable; and it is to be hoped that the friends of agriculture will call upon the legislatures, in full force, and carry their measures as far as may be prudent, at least. But we have already the means with which to work a vast change, and one scarcely less great, than any contemplated institution could perform. OUR COMMON SCHOOLS are the starting point. Here let the efforts of the friends of rational husbandry commence. Are there not enough readers in one-half the school districts of this country to discuss the subject of agricultural education, in the school meetings? Let care be taken that trustees and superintendents of the common schools, be instructed to secure and encourage teachers who will instruct in scientific agriculture. Let our County Agricultural Societies secure the services of some competent person to attend teacher's institutes, and communicate instructions and entusiasm to teachers, so as to fit them more perfectly to teach farmer's sons. Let them also offer premiums to teachers, and classes, who shall teach and learn the most, and the best of this subject. I cannot forbear here remarking, that the substitution of useful books, or farm and horticultural implements, for money premiums, would accomplish vast good in raising the tone of agricultural practice. There is no reason why farmers should not have money from other sources, and every reason why they should have good books, from such a source, embodying the experience of many, with reference to their pursuits, and which, instead of being merged into the general currency, shall always be before a man as an evidence and remembrancer of merit. What county society will first pronounce these suggestions good, and act upon them? TEACHERS who love your profession, and have zeal t honor it,-a word to you. In "the rural districts" nine-tenths of the children you instruct are farmer's sons and daughters, full of robust health, blessing you with the beaming of bright eyes, and the joyous music of happy voices. Do you desire that they,-full of innocence and strength,-should grow up to the noble inheritance of "a sound mind in a sound body;" that they should honor the art that is the earliest and best? Be not content to let them pass into life-either the life of the farmer, or that of a profession-without knowing the beautiful truths, which the farmer ought to know, because he is a farmer; and which the young man aspiring to a profession ought to know, that he may intelligently settle upon his course of life. Two years ago, excuse might be urged that we had no suitable text book. But now there are admirable works on Scientific Agriculture, which CROSKILL'S PAT This is, beyond qu ment which moder the farmer for red driest and most stu It consists of a or roller parts, pla acting independen producing a separa the headlands, with effecting a self-clean size of the roller is with single shafts, The roller parts are with indented or ser of inner teeth at rig axle, and pointing dir clods, more effectua land into a fine and e roller and harrow co PRUNING IN AUTUM who strongly recomme fruit trees, says, "Thirty ber, we cut a very large on account of an injury old, and it has never h sound, and almost as h perfectly hard around it. after, large limbs were spring; and where they rotted, so that a quart n cavity."-Albany Culti DWARF APPLES-The that a dwarf apple tree, ten years old, the tree n growing on the grounds Rochester, produced a F in circumference and wei Two or three others were grow rather larger on dw There is one interesting with this subject, that we swered, viz: At what pr thus grown on dwarfs be a general average for seas |