Author: Gowen, James Title: Address delivered before the Mercer County Agricultural Society, at its annual meeting, on the twentieth of September, 1853 Place of Publication: Philadelphia Copyright Date: 1853 Master Negative Storage Number: MNS# PSt SNPaAg028.2 LAN: eng <2049435> *OCLC* Formimono 2 InputiFMD 008 ENT: 971125 TYP: s DTI: 1853 DT2: 035 (OCoLC)37939717 037 PSt SNPaAg028.2 $bPreservation Office. The Pennsylvania State University, Pattee Library, University Parl<, PA 16802-1805 090 20 IVIicrofilm D344 reel 28.2 $cmc+(service copy, print master, archival master) 100 1 Gowen, James $(11790-1873. 245 00 Address delivered before the Mercer County Agricultural Society, at its annual meeting, on the twentieth of September, 1853 $cby James Gowen 260 Philadelphia $bBrown's Steam Power Book and Job Printinq Office $c1853. 300 27 p. $c23 cm. 533 Microfilm of photocopy $bUniversity Park, Pa. : $cPennsylvania State University $d1997. $e1 microfilm reel ; 35 mm. $f(USAIN state and local literature preservation project. Pennsylvania) $f(Pennsylvania agricultural literature on microfilm). This item is temporarily out of the library during the filming process. If you wish to be notified when it retums, please fill out a Personal Reserve slip. The slips are available in the Rare Books Room, in the Microforms Room, and at the Circulation desk. Archival master stored at National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD : print master stored at remote facility. 650 0 Agriculture. 830 0 USAIN state and local literature preservation project. $pPennsylvania. 830 0 Pennsylvania agricultural literature on microfilm. 590 590 FILMED WHOLE OR IN PART FROM A COPY BORROWED FROM: HARVARD UNIVERSITY } o ADDRESS DELtVSAED BEFOILE THI yf ■ -■•• .■■■■. ■ I MEKOER COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, AT ITS ANNUAL MEETING, osr T«B TWENTIETH OF SEPTEMBER, 1863, JAMES aOWEN, Eaqi ^ •>■. * PtTBHSHED BY ORDER QP THE SOOIBTY. ■< m%m I -PHILADELPHIA! Momi'f ITIflC VOWBK BOOK AMD iOM raUTTQia Of f lOB, USOIE 1 1853. > •■ •■ • * ■.- ■' ■.-.'• m .V . » . ■••..ft .t./ ' lUMAlp OQlMClttlMff i3 At % meeting of the Mkioba Couhtt Agriocitural Societt, held on their Exhihftlon QtwxA, the 20th instent, the following resolution was offered and antnlmontlf adopted, to wit: RM^tvfJ, That the thaoki of this Society be tendered to James Gowen, Eeq., for the ahio Address which he has this day delivered to us, and that he he reqncstod to fanlsh the Society with a copy of the same for publication. Hcmctft, September 21, 1853. jAirit Gown, Eta«-* Dbar Stft— In purtiiaiiee of the sbore reaolutioiiy permit mo, on behalf of (he << Mercer Ooasty Agrlcultoral Society," to request that, at your earliest conreoieiice, yon will famish the Society with a copy> for publica- tion, of the ezoetlent Address you deliTered at their lato Annual Exhibition. Tonrt, rery rcspcctAilIy, W. MAXWELL. tiKAa Sta- in complying with the request of the Mercer County Agricultural S<*cirty. as I cheeHhlly do, permit roe to hope that the Address, when pub- l fchi^l, win •enre as a nioraento ef the kind feelings reclprocstcd by the mcm- \wr% of your rt»fpectal»le Society end myself, during my visit to your Iwsitlifiil r^f^lon, as well as, In some defreo» promote the interests of Agri. culture In Western reansylTanla. Very respcctAiIly, Tour obedient ferranl, JAMES GOWKX. W. Maxwsll, Esq. M I ADDRESS. Xr. President, and Gentlemen, of the Horcer County Agrionltnrsl Society— When you did mo the hoBor to inTite me to address you, on the occasion of this your Annual Agricultural Exblhltion, my engage- ments at home were so numerous and pressing, that it seemed almost impossible that I should be able to comply with your iavitation. ^The little time, too, that was to intervene, until I should have to appear before you, affording but so brief a space for prepara- tion, with the distance I should have to travel before I reached yon; all tended to increase the difficulties of the case. These difficulties could only hare been OYcrcome by the devotion that Las almost, I might say, become a passion in me, for the promo- tion of Agriculture — a devotion that neither years of labor in the cause, nor the disappointments tbat sometimes attended my best efforts, could either abate, or measurably subdue^ and therefore it is tbat I am here — ^here, for the first time, in Western Pennsylvania. : Another reason why I could not refuse your request was, that I was, as many of you may know, among the foremost, if not the first, in calling the attention of the farmers of Peansylvania to tho necessity of organizing a Stale Agricultural Society, as a means of awakening every part of the State to a sense of the expediency of forming County Associations j for tho purpose of eliciting and diffusing, mutually, the benefits to be derived from a combined effort in promoting the prosperity, intelligence and dignity of the Landed Intorest — the much neglected, though most important interest of the country. Prominent then as I was, as a promoter of those organizations, it could not be, that when ono of those societies, wbich had sprung into existence through my efforts, and in accord* anco 'with tFie hopes and anticipations I had cherished, called upon me to address them on the occasion of their Annual Exiilbition, it could not be, I repeat, that either the fatigues of the journey, or homo cares and engagements, could afford, to my apprehension, % satisfactory excuse for declining a task which a sense of duty so sternly enjoined I should undertake. How well or ill I may perfarts that task| as affecting your ezpctstations^ was not so much a queiliton with me, ms that I should prove myself williDg to do the hest I could, for the cause I felt myself bound to serve and promote. Agricnltnral Exhibitions have ever been with me a favorite ex- pedient, whereby a laudable emulation and rivalry might be promoted among the tillers of the soil ; and to serve as a rallying point, where, in the presence of each other, they might learn to have more confi- dence in themselves, and by emulating the progress of others, snatch a spark of that spirit and enterprise, so luminous now-a-days, in the track of the busy throng, that are pushing along and going a-head with rail-road speed. It grieved me to perceive that the farmers, as a class, seemed regardless of the position, however low or obscure, assigned to them; appearing ever content to labor unrequited and unhonorcd ; complaming not, nor attempting to reverse the decree that fashion, folly and pretension had recorded to their prejudice. Snoh shoold not, I thought, be the condition of the farmer; his ealling or profession is in itself so intrinsic and independent, that it saems strange (unless there is something in the soil with which he ddals that deadens, or in the air he breathes, that bewilders bis faOQlties),'that he should not have the sense and spirit to stand more erect, and battle manfully for that lofty position, which is his rightful heritage ! To the husbandman, under Providence, is committed the bounties of the field and seasons, and upon his management depends, not only the wealth of the nation, but the daily sustenance of every man whether rich or poor, high or low. Plenty and scarcity, fulness and famine, in a great measure depend upon the foresight, skill and energy of the farmer j he holds the veritable cornucopia, and so long as it is found in condition of teeming fulness, pouring oiit the in- vigorating comforts of sustenance, so long does the human family wax strong, rejoicing in tho enjoyment of health and vigor ! Let it give but a partial supply, or none, feebleness and languor, famine and pestUonce, brood over all and enshroud every living creature ! Is there a man BO obtuse or insensible, whether mechanic or manufacturer, merchant or professional man, as not to perceive how indispensable are the functions of the farmer 1 Why should he not be held as ordinarily intelligent, with perceptions capable of penetrating the hidden operations of nature, so far as they lie within his sphere of action ; profiting by all that is dcduciblo from, or observable in her teachings ? And is it not a reproach to us, farmers, if we do not estabbsh our claim to this high consideration, and prove that we are if I** t V A' \ ■ .f:- ■ r: ■f' 4 i 1 not the dull, unenlightened drudges we are supposed to be — good but so far as material strength may serve, to toil, with other working animals of the field ! Agricultural exhibitions are the precursors of improvement — they are eminently calculated to arrest the attention of the apathetic — to break in upon the dull monotony that pervades the locality where the fair is held. They are as interesting as they are instructive, and never fail, if properly conducted, of impressing a salutary and abiding influence upon the minds of all who have participated in their interesting display and innocent recreation. Within their enclosures are to be found the best specimens of farm stock, the choicest varieties of seeds, samples of the best crops, improved im- plements of husbandry, specimens of household mauufacture, butter, cheese and poultry; all arranged for the inspection of the curious, and challenging competition. Who can look upon such a scene and not be struck with a deep sense of its utility, and what farmer, however enlightened, but may add something to his stock of know- ledge, or have his doubts removed as to the excellence of some breed of farm stock, or the capability of some implement, which he had never used, for the work it was designed to execute ? And who can be insensible to the advantages of such an opportunity for an inter- change of opinion upon the theory and practice of culture and husbandry ; upon soils, and the adaptation of crops and manures to each variety respectively \ These, with tho friendly greetings, the revival of old acquaintanceship, and the formation of new friendships, give to the scene a holiday freshness — a dash of rural felicity, that compensates for many a long and solitary day of toil upon the farm. But exhibitions should be kept within their primitive and legiti- mate bounds. If they should be permitted to run into ridiculous frolic, fun and folly, then good-bye to all the hopes of improvement, cherished through their means, by those who labored sedulously to promote them. If mountebanks, venders of nostrums, cute sharpers and monstrosities, with all their base and degrading concomitants, be tolerated, and their iniquitous jugglery be played off before the eyes of unsophisticated farmers and their families, it were better that agricultural fairs and cattle shows were abolished ; for who can answerer the consequences of such demoralizing scenes! Yieiter^; are liable to be drawn off from the real objects of the ezhibitioa Im:: the lures of those impostors, and made the victims of their heact^io impositions. Some youth, perchance, may be taken with thejjliplrit 6 of their adroitness and manrier, and become affected witK a moral leprosy that may cleave to him for the remainder of bis days— a relish for their trickery will begot a distaste for honest industry, and lead him into the ways of the Idle and profligate, the humbug or mountebank, the gambler or pickpocket. The State Societies are obnoxious to those objections ; their exhi- bitions seem to be held more with the view of drawing together a monstrous crowd or multitude, to put money in the purse and to gain popular eclat, than to promote, earnestly and appropriately, the cause of agriculture. Farm stock, implements, &c., are, it is true, in abundance ; but then, where is the chance of fixing the attention of visiters upon these, or of holding discussions on their qualities^ when along their borders and within their very grounds are to be «ecn the flaunting signs of mountebanks, offering to show wonders and sights unparalleled, and tricks incomprehensible, for a *^ ^leven- penny-bit*' f While a dozen of throats at a time rise above the ordi- nary noise, vociferating at the highest pitch recommendations of the infallible nostrums they are vending to credulous crowds gathered around their stands; and ever and anon, thimble-riggers and pick- pockets are plying thcrr nefarious trades, undetected amid the gene- ral confusion of this disgusting Babel ! Another great source of evil springs of necessity from, or is incidental iOy the inordinate desire for Monster Exhibitions, and that is, they must be held at or near to cities, in order that lodging may be had for the multitude, and in order to obf nin the largest sum possible from the inliabitants, by way of bonus, for the favor of the Exhibition, to aid in defraying the expenses of the show. Such places seldom fail of having their duo share of rowdies and ruffians, and these are sure to precipitate themselves upon the exhibition grounds, and, if not restrained by an overpowering police, will perpetrate various outrages, still further disgracing and deepening the disgust which such a speotacle, take it all in all, cannot fail to produce. These scenes are not iuiaginary—they are founded in fact, and are pomted at throngh a sense of duty, and under deep concern for the influence they may exert upon the public mind, especially upon the rismg generation. If in/Head of presenting, as naturaUy they should, 80 interesting and respectable an assemblage as this now before me, with nothing to offend against propriety or good taste, but all in harmony with the peaceable and honorable pursuits of agriculture, they exhibit scenes of depravity, wild and vioioua incongruity, they - :^ f must be regarded as dangerous nuisances, that should be abated, for the game reasons that placed horse-racing under the ban of public opinion. In this conneotion I observed recently, that among the premiums offered at a forthcoming Exhibition, east of us, were seve- ral to young females, under a certain age, for the best performance on horseback, or the best ftnuile horsemanship. Now, in the name of sense and propriety, what have such feats todo with Agriculture % If it were to train up candidates for the circud or hippodrome, the race-ground would be a more fitting arena for the purpose than the enclosure of an Agricultural Fair and Cattle Show. And how must the modesty of a young girl be outraged, if she be subjected to the vulgar gaze and comments of the crowd, and her sense of delicacy blunted, if she receive a pecuniary reward for the exhibition of her person and prowess ! What should fathers, mothers and brothers think of the consequences likely to ensue to a daughter or sister thus tempted to forego the native delicacy and bashfulness inherent in the gentler sex t Of the popular improvements agitated of late, Agricultural Edu- cation has claimed, as its importance deserved, a due share of oou^ sideration •, its benefits have been freely discudsed and enlarged upon by the Agricultural.Press. Inferences have been drawn and illus- trations given, of the utility of the system of training practised in the Agricultural Seminaries of Great Britain and Ireland, and other parts of Europe. Enlightened and patriotic travellers from this side the Atlantic, while sojourning abroad, have visited those schools, and have borne unqualified testimony in their favor ; among those, I may mention Professor Bache, now the head of the Coast Survey, who, when appointed President of the Girard College, visited Europe for the purpose of looking into educational systems and training, bearing semblance to the institution over which he was to preside ; and here I may say, that it was a misfortune greatly to be deplored by the orphans of Pennsylvania, that the pecuniary embarrassmente of the city of Philadelphia, involving the College Fund, suspended the opening of the CoUoge, which lost to it a President, whose pro- found scholarship and enlightened philanthropy so pre-eminently fitted him for the station, that never perhaps again will it be the good fortune of the College to possess his equal. This feeble tribute *to a good and gifted man cannot be considered out of place hew^f when it is understood he was not unmindful of the i^^^J^*«^^J^" culture, but labored in its behalf. He visited AgriculturalSdi^ols ■tA <^i 8 abroad, took notes of their workiogs, and brought home special reports of many of them He did more ; he collected, in farming districts abroad, a large collection of seeds, ^hich must have required much time and pains ; among them, the greatest and best varieties of wheat, put up in phials, sealed and labelled, that were ever seen before or since in this country ; they would have proved of incal- culable value, and through recurring harvests have made the name of Professor A. D. Bache as familiar among husbandmen as it is among men of science and learning of the present day; but unfortu- nately the City Councils, in whose custody the seeds were, neglected . to distribute them until the wcvil had entirely destroyed them. The late Mr. Coleman, an intelligent and devoted Agriculturist, during his Agricultural Tour, paid particular attention to these schools, and speaks of them in terms of commendation -, but there the schools are in charge of well-bred men, men of education, trained and educated for the proper discharge of duties so important to the community. Normal schools are founded for the express purpose of training Teachers and Assistants for the Agricultural Schools. Indeed, no one would pretend to offer himself as a Teacher unless he could produce a diploma or certificate from some accredited institution. Such qualifications as these we do not possess here, nor can we have them, unless suitable persons. are sent abroad to study a course of Scientific Agriculture at schools such as Temple Moyle, near Londonderry, or Glasnevin, near Dublin, in Ireland— either this, or procuring the services of some experienced Professors from abroad, to Uke charge, for a time, of a College, will.be necessary, should we be able to found such an institution, << Begin right,'^ is •a good maxhn, and I am sure there is nothing that would require f)|>:.y Col. John Hare Powell, to his credit may it be spoken, made every effort to counteract these prejudices. For a series of years he im- 20 ported Improved Short Horns from the stock of M». Whitaker, viho had taken great pains to develope and eetahlish their milking pro- perties, and was eminently successfol. Mr. Prentice^ Mx- Shcaffa and Mr. Lenox, of New York, had their cattle from Mi. Whitaker, and these were good mflkers and fine handlers. Mr. Lenox's cow, M Red Lady/' was the most beautifnl animal I ever saw, except my celebrated " Dairy Maid," which was also bred by Mr. Whitaker. Colonel Wolbert, of Philadelphia, owned a beautiful Durham^ failed <* TsabelU," she was second to none for deep milking, but Dairy Maid. Mr. Dennis Kelly »s imported bull, " Prince of Wales,'* was of CoL Powell's importatioB, and ten years ezperieDce has proved htm to bare* boea nnriralltfd m gettiBg snperior milk stock ; while in mm^ symmieiry and fiD^> handling, be seldotii fe«nd a com- |>Hitor. li tbe b«rda of Le^» F. Allen, Black Book^ Oak Sher-^ WT)od, of Anbaj% Mr. VaiV of Ttoy, Mil Moiris, of Morrisufeia^ and in tbeheSrds of isroral otbefs of Now York, great milkers wedre ever foimd ; Mr. Caaby, of £)elawaret bad also fine DurHaina } omong ibom,bko procured from evory reliablo source within their reach ; may they be- success- tal, and never bo made to feel the vexations that beset the path of their prodeoossors. The Ayresbires stand next to the Dvhams i» milking, and this I consider high praise. It has been remarked by some one — the author I do not rocollcot-^^ftt tbo Ayresbires conld by but little olaiui to a remote origin or distinctiveness of breed. Be this as it may, I cannot perceive the fcrco of the objection ^ if> from careful 21 breeding, oven of late years, they have been made to exhibit peculiar Or uniform points and properties by which they may now be desig- nated. Can we suppose that any other of the crack breeds were, a century back, precisely the same in form and quality as they are nowl To think so, would be but paying a poor compliment to the generations that have passed away since then, if they had thus been unmindful of improving the breeds of cattle in their day j audit would be somewhat criminal in us if we do not attempt to improve them further still. I have also beard it said that the cross of a Durham and Devon would be equivalent to an Ayreshire — this I strongly doubt, unless a Devon dam could be found, having the same disposition and quality of milking that are usually found with the Ayresbires, As to the milking properties of the Hercfords, I caoc^ say nothing from my own experience or observation, having bad but few opportunities of even seeing them, and when I bad, my attention was exclusively directed to their grazing qualities, of whiob, as I have already stated, I formed a very favorable opinion. The next breed in order are the Devons. In passing upon these as milkers, I feel a degree of hesitancy that even mj frankness cannot wholly overcome, because time will not permit me to adduce the seasons and proofs I could bring forward in support of the opinion I have formed of tbem, and in the absence of these, the hasty glance I must needs take of them, and the conclusions I must arrive at, will, by many, be considered as partial and unwarranted. Fait dairy cattle no doubt may be found among the common Devons of New England, where, and in Western New York, they form by far the greatest portion of the cattle used in the butter and cheese dairies. Now this, of itself, is no proof that they are better milkers than the common, native or mixed cattle, which, if found of same size and constitution, would equal, if not surpass, the New England Devons in giving milk and making butter ; yet, although this may be the case, there may be peculiar qualities in the Devon's milk that may be more profitable or better adapted to cheese making than the milk of some other cattle, and of this I have but little doubt — add to this the hardihood and activity of the Devon, fitting it for the severe climate of New England, and you have the solution of the preference given to them by the dairymen of the Northera States. But I do contend that, even among these Devons but>fow^ if any, can be found that can lay claun to the^ deep milking SO fre-' quently found among our red and white^ black and brindle-oolored 23: 23 tribe of natiye cattle. If ttis he the case, as I firmly believe it to be, evea with the common Dcvoiw as milkers, the pure North Devona fell still farther below a medium milking standard, for it is observ- able that thB greatest promise of milk in the Derons is to be found with those that are largest and lightest of color. The North Devons are a beautiful, healthy, hardy breed of cattle, and must hare formed a distinct breed or race at a much earlier period than any other of the favorite breeds of the present day. Nature has impressed them with characteristics more distinctly and deeply than other breeds. Their tenacity in retaiDing their color, temper and tractableness, is truly remarkable ^ you might as well* think of rubbing out « Indian,^' in the Aborigines of out forests,' as to think of wholly merging "Devon" in othet races. It is owin^ to this, no idoubtr more *ban -to any (^jseial caro by the New Eng- land farmej^, that the red -cattle of that region have, for ao Jgng a^ period, retained their oharaeteristio ^distinctiveness. The North P evens make the best working cattle of any breed } if this be so— ^ and I believe it. cannot be gainsaid — the activity, thews and sinewsy and bone, that place them next to the horse for endurance and spirit, must deny to them, in a considerable degree, the disposition and qualities essential to constitute good milkers. Working and milk- ing properties I hold to be incompatible in the same animal. • - Of all the cattie under review, I consider the Alderneys to be the moat unprofitable for the farmer > because they are undersized, ill- formed, and such hard feeders, that it is impossible to get beef oa them ; and as to milk, it seems anomalous that they should hold the rank in this respect so generally conceded to them, except it can be traced to some freak of fashion that, as is too often the case, puts both judgment and propriety at defiance. The cry is they give rich milk and make yellow butter — so does almost every hide-bound, f icketty cow, that may be picked up along the lanes or roadside, give rich or thick milk, chiefly because she gives so little, and, by conse- quence, that little will make more cream than a similar quantity would of milk tiiken from a. twenty to thirty quart a day cow, but in the twenty quarts would there not likely be as much, if not tnore, butter than oould be produced from the eight to ten quarts a day animal? If so^then we have the same quantity of butter, with the addition of double the quantity of inilk^an item -not to be over- looked— ^besides, we have that which is much better, a fine, healthy, large animal, that when it will be proper to feed off, will show some * proof of the food she consumed in her beef and tallow. To cOmpirc this fine, healthy animal to the goat-a-kin thing called Aldetney, would be ridiculous! The straw-color of the butter of the Alder- neys, so much boasted, is no proof of its excellence. The yellow, tinged with rose, is a more inviting and desirable color (evincing delicacy of flavor and richness, and giving assurance of the good health of the cow and suitableness of the feed she had,) than the straw-color can convey to our apprehension. To test the richness of the milk of the cows referred to, let two calves of same age, size, &c., bo provided, one to be pxrt to suckle at the Alderney, the other at the large twenty quart a day cow, and then see, in the course of five or six weeks, which calf will thrive marc and make the better yeah This wotild be a fair common-sense test, for the result of which I should have no fears. Remember, I speak of Alderneys that are thorough Alderneys, not those that have had a chance game of admixture of blood for generations. Most of those to be met with have scarcely a vestige left of the Alderneys, except the high rump — the muscle, cheek and shanks hardly traceable — therefore, if a round-ribbed, plump animal, with something of a shoulder, a good fore-arm^ and straight limb, be presented to you, though she be of a dun or mouse color. Class her as an *' Improved ^Iderney*^ — ^improved, no matter of what- other breed soever it has been derived. In habit, oonstitution, size, milking and feeding, the Alderneys are all unfit for a farmer. If in treatiDg of cattle I have not already consumed too much time, I should like to say a word as to the bad treatment Milk cows are but too frequently subjected to in almost every place ; a treatment as unwise as it is cruel. If it were confined to cities, where the poor animals are drugged with still slops and other unna- tural food, by milkmen, so called, to excite the cows to yield undue quantities of what they call milk, I would not think it necessary to refer to it here ; but the cruel and improper treatment of cows is not confined to cities alone — go where you will you are sure to bo shocked at the scenes of suffering and neglect these patient animals are made to endure, whether on commons, farms, stables or yards. If driven out after milking, or brought home to be milked, *the^ neverfail of being run, whipped or cudgelled by some unfeelin^'tti^ who seems to think it part of his duty to deal tl)em as many t&ws as he can 'While within his reach. Then but too ofteii' fbll6¥ the blows of the milker, should the poor animals wince iindef'il^e prcs- • 24 sure on ieat8> Ucorated perhups by tboras, or made sore from oilier causes. No wonder tbat ibis treatment, if ith scantiness of food and sometimes of vateri reduces the cows to the wretched condition in which they are but too often found in every quarter* Set a farm band to clean the cow stable daily, to curry and brush the cows, and be will be apt to think you a fool, or tbat you mean to degrade bim— if he comply, it will be with reluctance, and it is quite likely tbat he will take more out of their hides, or put more into them, than you bargained for. Ask the same worthy to groom your horse, and he will not fail to do it cheerfully. Why this prejudice, this folly % Does not the cow stand in a more interesting relation to us than the horse ? He works for us and carries us, to be sure, but then do we partake of his flesh and blood while living, in tbe shape of milk, butter and checso t and do we slaughter him for beef when we suppose him failing in strength 1 No. Well, then, why is not the same attention paid to tbe cleanliness and health of the cow as is bestowed upon the horse 1 The same care tbat produces so fine a condition in the one, could not fail of having the same effect upon the other — and I say that it is the height of folly, and positive injus- tice to ourselves, to withhold those attentions from tbe cow. 8be is a second wet nurse to us and our children, and if this nurse be in ill health, will not her milk, cream and butter be imbued with her condition ? Would we be willing to eat of tbe flesb of some of those wretchedly poor animals if they were slaughtered I And why should we not feel the same repugnance to use their milk 1 Let us be more careful in feeding those useful animals properly, keeping them com- fortable and clean, and in good, healthy condition. I havo dwelt longer upon this matter, perhaps, tbanyou may think its iroportanco required, but regarding this as likely to become a Dairy as well as a Grazing District, I could not but deal with it fully, in a spirit of justice to you, and in humanity to the patient and much abused animal, upon whoso condition so much of your and your ohildreu's health depends. The cbeapest and most economical way of producing a valuable stock, would be, to procure a thorough-bred young short-born bull from some reliable breeder. Introduce him to none but the finest cows and heifers you have or can provide, of the common or mixed breed — indeed, all undersised, ill-conditioned animals on the farm should be removed at once. After having used this bull two years, or when bis own produce shall have grown, let bim be exchanged for 25 another of equal purity of blood; and when he shall bave served; Itia two years, let him be likewise removed. At this juncture, say after six years, how mucb would a herd of «oma thirty Lead be wortb under such management? Why, it would not be unreasonable to suppose them wortb ?2500 to $8000. How mucb would tbe herd have been wortb supposing the thorough-bred short-horn bull bad not been introduced? Perhaps not $600. From what has been said on breeds and qualities of cattle, you may determine by your own good sense assisting, what description of cattle is best adapted to your condition, but let me entreat you to select tbe best individuals io breed firom, of whatever class, whetbei commoi^ grade ot distinct, and always aim at breeding up, but never down to a lower grade. Do- not let your best calves go to the butcher, but the worst. If you thus begin and persevere, you will ptomote your own individual interests, confer credit upon your coun-r ty, and at the same time add to tbe agricultural wealth of Penn-r sylvania. i : • ; ; • ■*' . I can say but little from Experience, even if time would allow^ upon Sheep Hlisbandxy. Tbe annoyances from noise, bustle: an(} dogs on the*, borders of a city, wbiere my farm lies, rendejed the keeping of sheep impTactioable. This I regretted, for I should bavo been delighted with so interesting, and to my mind so profitable a branch of busbandry. Wool-growing is of vast importance to tbe country, and like every other branch of industry, be who studies it most, and practises it best, will reap the richest reward, and be entitled to tbe highest professional distinction, Peter A. Browne, Esq., of Philadelphia, a gentleman of great re- search and untiring perseverance, has of late years devoted much of bis time and talents to tbe subject of Hair and Wool } the breeds of sheep, the importance of breeding and crossing as affecting tbe quality of long or hair wool, and short or felt wool. It is, as illus- trated by Mr. Browne, one of the most curious and interesting works that has been brought before the public of late, and which none but a mind such as his could have so minutely explored and elucidated. The work should be iu the hands of every wool grower,. . Much credit is due to its gifted author, for the able effort he h^ miCde to enlarge the boundaries of useful knowledge. .v/,*j r>iij In conclusion, gentlemen, I take occasion to say, that, Jt_^t|^l4: have been to me a more easy, and by far a more pleaMng;.{a|k^ t<> ■ 26 have spoken of agricaltvire and its attendants, in a different strain from that indicated by the undissembled remarks I have had the honor to make before you. There is no man, who appreciates more than I do, the beautiful in Nature and Art, that lies within the bounds of the Husbandman's interestiog vocation, or who can drink deeper of the inspiration that may be quaffed from the perennial fountain the seasons supply, to tempt or satisfy the eye and heart. There is not a fine tree, shrub or flower ; hedge, field or lawn, but blooms or presents to my eye more than common delight and attrac* tion. I am no less a votary of Ceres, than I am a worshipper in the temple of Flora. — ^And who that know me, and have witnessed my habits and pursuits for years, but must admit, that I have shown myself to be a faithful and laalona laborer within the domain — ^the charmed circle, of these Divinities ! Notwithstanding all these ha- bitudes and predilections, 1 chose, while addressing you, the rugged, rather than the flowery path ; to aim at the useful rather than the ornamental — to expose, rather than to gloss over defects — ^to risk censure for the sake of truth, rather than gain applause by pander- ing to a morbid taste, or bolstering a vicious system ! Too much of this plating and gilding is apparent of late. Men who never tilled a piece of land, planted a tree, raised or exhibited an animal in all their lives, are now, by false coloring and idle pre- tension, transformed into Tulls and Lowdons — leaders at Agricultu- ral Clubs and Societies, where their twattle and professions pass fre- quently for sense and oxpcrieoce, with those that know no better. Some of these are ever displaying their operations over a vast and boundless field ; while others of thom are busy at cutting out work in the Moon or in the « Isle of Sky." To use an old « salt" or Bailor's oxpression descriptive of a fresh water sailor, ^* they are always found in everybody's mess but in nobody's < watch.' " The end of all this will be, if not timely checked, that the true Disciples of Improvement will become lukewarm when they sec the position aasumed by mere professors and pretenders. The masses, or rank and file, that have just been clearing their eyes for a reading spell, * will pitch their books, like physio, to the dogs — the subscriptions to the Agricultural journals will diminish till, ere long, there will not be patronaf^ anffioient to maintain, as is the case in Pennsylvania, a respectable p^^^ioaf. In other words, when Agriculture finds such things sitting Ai^iiHid under his skirts, he will, in his strength /.■:*•■ Xf. < ■•■•' I .-. 27 or madness, jump out of his coat entirely, choosing rather to be coat- less than to furnish a garb or covering for moon-shine philosophers and Pangloss professors. Do not, 1 pray you, think me a seeker of adventure or renown, in combating abuses ; but, on the contrary, let me assure you that thero is nothing of the Knight Errant in my whole composition. To the many calls that have been made upon me to come forth from my pleasant retreat, to take the field in the way you have marshalled me, I have ever made refusal, except on one occasion, not very long since, at Lancaster ; and, if I shall be permitted to consult my own taste and inclination, henceforward, this will be the last time I shall serve the cau^e in the manner I consented to serve it, at your special instance and prompting — if, indeed, I liave served the cause, and at the same time, gentlemen, obliged you, I shall feel amply recom- pensed for the effort now ended. 't