8.00

6 00

5 00

5 00

4.00

3.00

4 00

3 00

$10 00

10.00 10 00

$105,857 03

Of billiard tables.

$124,993 85

Oats,

$284 00 The number of appeals from the judgment or decision

Havana,.

COTTON, Louisiana, &c.
Georgia Upland,.
COTTON YARN, No. 10,|
An advance of 1 cent
each number to No. 18.
confirmed. | CANDLES, Mould,
Dipt,
CHEESE,
FEATHERS, Live,.
FISH, Herrings, Sus.
reversed. Shad, trimmed,
confirmed. FLAXSEED, Rough,

20

12 12

14

16

10 11

12

8

10

19

15

ties received, viz.
For 1821, $16,514 99

1822, 18.572 04
1823, 22,054 43
1824, 22,731 03
1825, 25,984 54

Expenses of the harbour,

viz.

For 1821, $20,202 60

VALUABLE ACQUISITION TO MARYLAND BREEDERS OF SWINE.-A pair of hogs passed accidentally under our notice in their transit to the Eastern Shore of this state, where they were going to Mr. Frederick Purnell, to whom they were presented by Mr. Thorndike, of Massachusetts. They are of Mr. Pomeroy's celebrated compound breed, being made Amount of inspections in the city of Baltimore dur

up of certain proportions of the Bedford, Bakewell, and Byfield blood-are of small bone and easily fatted. Maryland farmers may have recourse to them after a short time, for the improvement of their stock of swine, and will know how to appreciate the benefit.

THE MARYLAND JUSTICE, a valuable manual for the guidance of justices of the peace, constables, and citizens in matters not within the jurisdiction of the county courts, has fallen under our observation, and we take this opportunity of recommending it to the Maryland farmers generally. It contains, besides several judicious chapters on accounts, distress, debt, &c. a collection of the acts of assembly relating to the jurisdiction and prescribing the process of justices of the peace, the acts of assembly regulating the conduct of constables, and an alphabetical and chronological digest of the miscellaneous acts, properly denominated police acts. This book is highly commended by competent judges; and is, in our opinion, for reference, a convenient volume to any citizen. Price $1.

Prices of American Produce-Liverpool, Nov. 28.

On Sheep, "Hints for Unskilful and speculative The aggregate averages regulating the importa-men,' ," in answer to Columella-Columella on Wool, tion of foreign Grain, were struck on the 18th of and Sheep-How to Test the Value of Root CropsNovember. Wheat 64s. 9d., Barley 41s. 4d., Peas Contest in Picking Cotton-Culture of Tobacco in Mis54s. 10d. per quarter. These averages fix the ad- souri-J. Buel, on the Plum and Morello Cherry-Cormission of foreign Barley at 5s. per qr., and Peas at respondence of the Pennsylvania Society for the pro78; all other grains continue prohibited. Cotton- motion of Internal Improvement, with william strick(public sales,) Orleans 71a10d. ord. to good fair, Ala-land-A Whisper to a Newly-Married Pair, continued banas, &c. 74a81d. ord. to fair; Boweds 7a104d. ord. Extent of Cotton Manufactures in England-Conto good; Bowed Sea Islands 93a11d. middg. to fair. markable Eccentricities of Eminent Men-Sporting In| sumption of Lehigh Coal-Sage Plant in Greece--ReTobacco-there has been a speculative inquiry for quiry-Premiums of Maryland Agricultural Society for stemmed. Ashes-Am. Pearls at 32s. 3d. per cwt. their Exhibition in June next-Valuable Swine-inTurpentine, 10s. 9d. p. cwt. Rosin, 4s, 9d. p. cwt. Ispections and Auction Duties in Baltimore-Editorial.

do. White Flint,

lb. 125 0"

FOR THE AMERICAN FARMER.

COLUMELLA, His errors opposed by facts and the highest authorities established by the Bath Society and the British Agricultural Board.

Premium taken by woollen cloth afforded by Meri-
nos improved in form by British crosses.
At the Annual Meeting, 1806, the Committee ap-
pointed to examine Cloth and Wool, reported as
follows:-

"On the whole, they were decidedly of opinion, that Dr. Parry had, by his zeal, diligence, perseverance, and activity,accomplished the grand object of producing, in the climate and soil of Britain, wool Columella asserts-American Farmer, December equal to that usually imported from Spain; and that 30, 1825.-"Much is said of the Southdown sheep in so doing, he merited the warmest thanks of the in England and they begin to attract notice here country in general, and this Society in particular." among speculative men. Their mutton may be good, Bath Papers, vol. 11, pages 161, 162, 163, 164. but I suspect its superiority is owing to the pasture on which they are generally fed, and their extensive Columella asserts-"It is by no means an ascer ranges, from which with the delicacy of taste pecu-tained fact that diseased sheep have finer fleeces liar to sheep, they pluck a greater variety of sweet than healthy ones." grasses; they being rather a small bodied animal are also better adapted to such pastures than those of heavier bodies, which require more food with less labour in the pursuit of it." "He further asserts "and when four or five years old, the ewes almost invariably have no wool on their bellies and they will at that age produce about 14 pounds of wool each, the wethers 2 pounds or 2 pounds. They have the lightest fleece of any sheep I have ever seen.

*

American Farmer, Dec. 30, 1825.

Diseased Sheep have finer fleeces than healthy ones. down sheep: the quarters were divided in the usual
The above weighing does credit to the South-
"A sheep which is fat has usually comparatively way, leaving one short rib to the hind, and twelve
coarse wool; and one which is lean, either from want to the fore.
of food or DISEASE, HAS THE FINEST WOOL; AND THE

The hind quarters of this wether were heavier
VERY SAME SHEEP MAY, AT DIFFERENT TIMES, AC- than the fore, which Mr Ellman very justly consi-
CORDING TO THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, HAVE FLEECES ders as a merit in the breed, as the former sell at 1d.
OF ALL THE INTERMEDIATE QUALITIES FROM EX-a pound more than the latter."

TREME FINENESS TO COMPARATIVE COARSENESS.

Parry on Wool-Bath Papers-vol. 11, p. 211.
"Merinos crossed with Ryelands, give finer fleeces
and better carcasses.

pure

Survey of Sussex, 328, 329. These were Improved Southdowns. "Southdown wether mutton, in point of delicacy and flavour, is thought equal to almost any that is killed; and in summer, as preferable to some other fine flavoured breeds, especially to Norfolk mutton.” Survey of Sussex, 331.

"Very good superfine cloth is made of Southdown wool, and is very sufficient for the woollen Manufactories of Yorkshire; and when its improved quality is better known there, it will surely come into greater demand than is the case at present, where All those who have procured them from me conthe Northern wools are generally used, and the con- cur in stating that they produce stock, not only with sumption of Herefordshire and Southdown wool is better carcasses, but with finer fleeces, than the not very considerable.” Merinoes." Communications to the Board of AgriIdem, page 208. "Mr. Ellman has generally four men in the water culture, vol. 7, page 380. to wash, and pens made in the water, pointing "It cannot, however, be denied, that both the against the stream, so that the thick or foul water fleece and carcass of any breed of sheep, either keeps draining from the sheep, and particularly from exclusive and partial attention, or from defec- where they are. His pens in the water are, the first tive care and judgment, may decline, and become where the sheep remain about three or four minutes, eventually worthless. The Spaniards, from time to soak the wool. In this pen he generally puts about immemorial, have thought only of the fleece of twenty at a time; from which they are put forward their sheep. The carcass, therefore, is of no value." to another pen, where the men stand to wash, which Idem, page 216. is performed by pressing the wool between their hands, after which the sheep swim out against the Ellman's Southdowns let at from 10 to 100 gui-stream for about fifteen or twenty feet, which cleanses the outside of the wool." "Mr. Ellman has indeed clipped more than five pounds from several of his own breed."

Merino wool improved by Southdown cross. "The extraordinary advantages resulting from the orass of Merino on Southdown, appeared not only in the parcels of wool of that description, but by the high prices, at which they sold; exceeding the rate of pure Merino in many instances."

"The Farming Society pay a just tribute to the spirited exertions of Dr. Parry, who presented the Society, with a ram from which, on the Southdown ewes of Mr. Grierson, the wool of some sheep of one year old, attained the extraordinary price of 9s. 9d. per pound, unscoured."

* "The general opinion was, that a cross from the Merino and Southdown, if generally established, would be productive of a superior growth of fine wool."

Lord Sheffield's Report to the Wool meeting
at Lewes, July 1809.

Report of Samuel Yeates & Son, Monks Mill, on Wool, grown in England by Dr. Parry on Merino Sheep crossed with British Sheep, and on prime Leonesa Spanish wool of the Coronet pile and manufactured by them for the premium of the Bath and West of England Society for promoting Agriculture, Manufactures, &c.

Merino wool crossed made the finest cloth. "Perhaps we cannot so fully explain to the committee, which wool manufactured best, as by giving the words of the foreman to whose superintendance the making of these two cloths was entrusted. He says, Dr. Parry's wool and cloth in every state works much more kindly than the Coronet."

"Although perhaps we may be deviating from our sphere in pronouncing which is the finest of the two cloths, yet we feel so fully persuaded that we are only anticipating the decision of the Committee, that we do not scruple to say, that in our opinion as manufacturers, the cloth made with the British wool, and marked in Dr. Parry's name, is decidedly of the finest quality."

No. 14.-VOL. 7.

neas.

ARTHUR YOUNG, SECR'Y BRITISH AGRIC. BOARD
STATES IN 1813, THAT-

"Until lately ten guineas was the highest price
heard of in Sussex for the sale of any ram; now Mr
Ellman lets many of his three years old rams for
fifty; inferior ones for thirty, twenty, ten guineas;
and he has let at one hundred."

Great product in flesh and fleece.
Southdowns live and dead weight.
"Live weight

Blood
Entrails
Caul

Gut fat

Head and pluck

Pelt*

Carcass, next morning
Offal

192 lbs.
lbs. oz.
6 00
11.00

16 4

5 0

8 12

15 12

125
67

192 lbs.

Survey of Sussex, 352, 354.

"The hardiness of the Southdown, enduring wet and cold lodgings, and a greater degree of abstinence and fatigue than the Norfolk in the fold, is a superiority of much moment; and only to be equalled by another, which they possess in a very superior degree, which is that of doing well upon coarse sour pastures."

Survey of Essex for the British Agricultural Board, vol. 2, page 310.

"Mr. Coke's flock of 160 New Leicester ewes, produced in 1802, 100 lambs; his flock of 630 Southdowns, produced 830 lambs, living in June." Complete Farmer, 4to.

Hardiness and close fleeces of Southdown's-Good
Form, essential to good properties.

"If we examine them when feeding in the same field, those that are well formed and covered in a If 192 gives 125, what will 20 give? Answer 13. fine and close fleece will have much the advantage, Slaughtered the 21st and cut up the 24th of De-in a pinching season of others that are worse made;

cember.

* Washed the pelt and clipped 5 pounds of wool when
dry.
Skin weighed 5 lbs. 8 oz. loss by washing 5 lbs. 4 oz.
This great loss may be accounted for by the pelt being
thrown under the sheep to receive the blood, &c.

and sheep having a disposition to do kindly, and be in good order and fat, is a circumstance next to none. In all these respects the Southdown breed is unexceptionable.

Mr. Ellman's annual losses have been for some years, about one in an hundred, exclusive of lambing time; and other flocks are nearly upon a par with

Survey of Sussex for the British Agricul-
tural Board, page 293.

him. The natural soundness of the Down, unques- of their weighing much heavier, up to 39 pounds standing of the Agricultural community, and an earnest desire to see the cultivators of the soil, gentionably renders the breed, that feeds upon these per quarter." chalk hills, peculiarly free from internal distempers; eraily, as distinguished for their enlightened attainand their hard and close coats, are an excellent prements in their profession, as they are for their patriservative from external ones: in these respects, they otism, and correct deportment as citizens,-if these Southdowns docile, hardy and easily kept. attributes may conciliate your indulgence for the are well defended against accidents; boisterous winds blow over these high hills in winter and spring, with "Those who keep them say, that they live so deficiencies and imperfections of the address, I feel a violence that more level countries are free from; much hardier, and feed so much closer, that they that I may safely claim, for a few moments, your exposed to the fury of the elements at the extremity can keep three hundred well on the same land that candid and favourable attention. of the Island, which do incredible damage to the would only keep two hundred Wiltshire sheep: that I shall not presume, at this time, to undertake a houses, corn, &c., without a fence or a tree of any they are more docile, will feed more contentedly, dissertation on the practical details of husbandry, kind, for vegetation is cut by the fury of the winds. and stay more quietly in the fold." nor to edify you with precepts concerning the most It must be a hardy breed to weather such storms." approved systems of rural economy. These subSurvey of Sussex, page 300. jects have been discussed, with signal ability, by the gentlemen who have preceded me, at our forGood Properties of Southdowns. mer meetings; and will, no doubt, be the theme of many instructive discourses, on future occasions. "In Wiltshire, as in many other counties, the Southdown sheep are more frequently fed than any Southdowns well formed-open and deep breasts. My purpose is, simply, to notice some of those conother. They are something smaller than the before "The shoulders are wide; open breast and deep; siderations, which I conceive ought to stimulate our mentioned. On high lands they have exemplified fore and hind legs stand wide; they are round and patriotic farmers to increased exertions for the acthat they are by far the most profitable, as the feed straight in the barrel; broad upon the loin and hips; quisition and diffusion of useful knowledge; and of two Wiltshire sheep will do fully for three South-shut well in the twist, which is a projection of flesh thereby, as a necessary, consequence, to promote down, and three Southdown, (though much smaller) in the inner part of the thigh, that gives a fullness the interests, and enhance the dignity of the prowill cut more wool on an average, than two Wilt- when viewed behind and makes a Southdown leg fession. It will not be denied, notwithstanding the shire, and which is of a better quality, and conse- of mutton remarkably short." quently commands more money.

"When they come to be grazed and fattened for sale, they will weigh from eight to nine stone each;* also they are worth eight pence per stone more in Smithfield market than larger sheep. They will lie quiet to feed, and stand folding and the winter well" Experimental Farmer, page 124.

Southdowns admirably calculated for bleak and bare situations.

"The Southdown breed of sheep was introduced upon the Wolds a few years back, and is gradually extending itself. It is a species admirably calculated for bleak and bare situations, where they have, to travel far for a supply of food, and where the bite is short. They are healthy and active, of smaller size than the sheep of the wolds, less subject to several disorders, and admitting of more numerous stocking, in at least the proportion of one to six. There is one flock of upward of five hundred, and four or five other smaller ones. lue of their fleeces has always individually equalled, and in some years considerably exceeded, that of the long woolled breed." Strickland's Survey of the East Riding of Yorkshire, 1812, page 232. Southdowns-Flesh is of excellent flavour-wool not much inferior to Spanish.

The va

"This breed (Norfolks) however is on the decline, and seldom kept, unless where the folding system is retained, being supplanted by the Leicesters and Southdowns, both quicker feeding animals, and the latter yielding wool of a quality not much inferior to what is imported from Spain.

Their flesh is fine in the grain, and of an excellent flavour."

Brown on Rural Affairs, vol 2, pages 226, 227. Form essential in the selection of Sheep. "Choose the handsomest sheep possible, but never neglect the coat or fleece." Practical Remarks, &c., by J. Collins. Bath Papers, vol. 9, page 114.

* *

Report of Wiltshire.
"They are full of wool, and that wool commonly
very fine."
Report of Wiltshire.

advances of modern husbandry, that we have amSurvey of Sussex, page 296. ple room for further improvement in the practical operations of the farm; and that we have much to Spanish sheep crossed with Ryeland or Southdown learn relative to their true theory, or, in other proved equal to the whole breed of Spain. words, those laws, or principles of causation, which the govern "The intelligence of our breeders will soon, by ture. That it is desirable to effect this improveprocesses connected with successful culcrossing, bring the sheep to such form as we deem more perfect, and it seems proved that the woolment, and to acquire a knowledge of those princiof the Spanish, crossed on Ryeland and Southdown, avail ourselves in our labours, every rational mind ples in nature, of which we may advantageously is fully equal to the whole breed of Spain." will admit. To promote these objects, no mode Communications to the Board of Agriculseems more eligible than that which we have adoptture, page 401. ed, in the formation of this Society. By the agency of such institutions, detached facts, and the insuPENNSYLVANIA AGRICULTURAL SOCI-lated experience of individuals, may be brought together into a common fund, producing mutual Extract from the proceedings of the Pennsylvania be compared and corrected, and the scattered rays and augmented benefit,-conflicting opinions may Agricultural Society, at their third annual meeting of truth made to converge into a pencil of light, held at Prospect Hill, in Philadelphia county, on

ETY.

the 19th, 20th, and 21st of October, 1825; with the that will at once trace and illuminate the paths of Address delivered by WILLIAM DARLINGTON, M.D. genuine Agricultural philosophy. The importance of liberal associations, in promoting and dissemiAfter having witnessed the success of their efforts, nating useful knowledge, has long been understood not only in the extent of the exhibition, but in the by those who are devoted to science, and the arts. interest manifested by a vast assemblage of respect- Our philosophical societies,-our academies of sciable farmers, the Society heard from Dr. Darling-ence, and our mechanic institutes,-are striking ton, an ingenious and instructive address; and ad- illustrations of this fact: and it is gratifying to know journed to the Red Lion, to receive Mr. Sergeant, that our intelligent farmers are beginning to perMr. Hopkinson, Mr. Walsh, Mr. Ingham, Mr. Brent, ceive, and to appreciate the value of such instituMr. Barnitz, of York, the members of the Legisla- tions, in reference to their own pursuits. The beture from the city and county, and other gentlemen nefits diffused by the laudable exertions of our elder whom they had invited, to honour them with their sister, the Philadelphia Agricultural Society, are company at dinner.

[The official account of the exhibition has been published in the American Farmer. We have been waiting for an opportunity to insert Doctor Darlington's address, which follows.-ED. AM. FAR.] ADDRESS.

Mr. President,

and Gentlemen of the Pennsylvania
Agricultural Society,-

gratefully acknowledged, not only in our own state, but throughout the Union; and I am sanguine in the hope, that we shall successfully emulate her honourable career. I am confident that the intercourse of our distinguished farmers, at our annual meetings, will not only be the means of improving the various kinds of stock, and promoting more correct views of rural economy,-but that it will also subdue those prejudices, which are entertained by many, in relation to every thing new,—or with which I should certainly have shrunk from the task of they are unacquainted. It is a frequent, and I apattempting an address to this respectable associa-prehend, a well founded observation, that while tion, on the subject of their pursuits-a subject on those engaged in the arts and manufactures, are which every member, probably, has more practical prompt to avail themselves of every invention and information than myself—but that I esteemed it an device that will facilitate their labours, and advance imperative duty to contribute my mite towards pro- their interests, the cultivators of the soil are too moting the views of the Society, in any mode which apt to be jealous of innovations upon established Eng-they might be pleased to designate. I can only re- practices; and are remarkable for the tardiness and gret that they have not been more fortunate in their reluctance with which they adopt, or countenance selection, on the present occasion. I will say, how-new improvements. This characteristic is unquesever, that if an ardent zeal in the cause of the In- tionably owing, in great measure, to their retired stitution,-an honest pride in the character of our habits; and to the want of that liberal intercourse intelligent farmers, quickened by a jealousy of every with each other, which meetings like this are so circumstance which can affect the interests or high well calculated to promote. It is under such cir

Southdowns sufficiently large. "The Southdowns support a much greater weight of flesh than we see upon land in any part of land of the same value. Although it is a small breed, not averaging more than eighteen or twenty pounds per quarter, yet we have various instances

*The country stone is 14 pounds.

cumstances of privation, that prejudices get posses- every department of our profession; and then pro- lights which it affords, and be enabled to conduct sion of the mind, and become extremely difficult to ceed cautiously to the explanation. our operations upon rational, and intelligible prinbe eradicated: But it will be found that a proper A complete qualification for this, requires some ciples, instead of groping our way, at random, in culture, is as beneficial to the intellect, as to the preparation, it is true: but it is in the power of every empirical darkness! To the labours of Sir HUMfarm; and that the prosperity, as well as the res- man to make valuable contributions for that object. PHREY DAVY we are indebted for a lucid and sucpectability, of the farmer, will ever be in a direct Every intelligent farmer has observed facts, and cessful application of chemistry, to the pursuits of ratio with his intelligence. I never can believe that acquired information by experience, which, if com- Agriculture. His happy genius has not only carthe pursuits of Agriculture are incompatible with municated, would throw light upon the process of ried the torch of science into the workshops of art,→ general knowledge, or scientific attainments: for, Agriculture. To understand those processes inti- but has cheered, with its light, the dreary caverns although it was intimated, in ancient times, that mately, or, in other words, to be able to theorize of toil, in the bowels of the earth, and extended wisdom was inaccessible to him who held the plough, correctly-would doubtless, as before observed, re- its beneficent radiance to the operations of husban and whose talk was of bullocks, yet the passage was quire some preliminary scientific attainments:-for dry, which adorn its surface. long since received as apocryphal, and the sugges- Agriculture is, in reality, a comprehensive system Among the accomplishments of the truly enlighttion abundantly refuted by experience. We have of natural science-embracing a knowledge of Mi-ened Agriculturist, a knowledge of the rudiments, seen, and have profited by, the wisdom of the neralogy, Chemistry, Botany, and Zoology. A know- or fundamental principles of Botanical science, deholders of the plough. We have seen our practical ledge of these, however, sufficient for practical pur- servedly claims a place. By the aid of Botany, in agriculturists "sought for in public council"-we poses, and to enable us to proceed understandingly, the just and comprehensive meaning of the term, have seen them "sit on the judges' seat"—and, so is by no means so difficult to acquire, as is generally we not only learn to know, and to distinguish plants long as wisdom and patriotism shall be esteemed supposed; and ought to constitute an indispensa- from each other, but we become acquainted with amongst us, our country will hold in grateful re-ble part of the education of youth. With such qua- all the habits, functions, and properties of vegetaverence, the memory of the Farmer of Mount lifications,-which every man may possess, with a bles;-and all those circumstances which interest Vernon. little industry, the labours of the farm become a us in their culture, their influence on surrounding

It is, nevertheless, to be lamented, that there source of delightful instruction, as well as of profit. objects,-and their utility to man, whether as artishould be those yet amongst us, who undervalue Every process in the annual routine of husbandry is cles of food, raiment, or medicine. It furnishes us, the aids which science proffers to the labours of more or less connected with those auxiliary sciences; in fact, with a key to the simple, yet admirable Agriculture; and who persist in degrading the pro-and thereby becomes a legitimate object of philoso-system of order, which nature has observed in all fession to a mere blind routine of manual drudgery. phical inquiry. If we would ascertain the true cha- her works-but more especially in the arrange. The investigations of the chemist and the naturalist racter and composition of the soil,-determine ment, or classification of living, organized beings. are denounced, by such, as unprofitable speculation, which of its constituent parts are superabundant, The elements of this science,-which are within idle theory, and book-farming. It is curious to ob- and what earths require to be added, to ameliorate the reach of every person of common capacity,serve what a bugbear theory is, with many who its quality, we must call in the aid of Mineralogy. will instruct us in many truths which are important plume themselves on being sagacious, practical A knowledge of this science is implied in every in the economy of the farm, and the garden; and farmers. No doubt there have been wild and ex-successful investigation of this important branch of will also rid our minds of some prejudices which travagant notions indulged by those who were defi- Agriculture: and the extent in which it is possessed have descended to us from the ages of darkness eient in facts and knowledge-and what science has will generally determine the degree of success with and credulity. They will teach us, that upon all not had its absurd theories?-But a moment's reflec- which the inquiry is prosecuted. It is a knowledge created objects, endowed with organic life, Omnition will teach us that this is no argument against of which every man possesses more or less, although potent Wisdom has impressed certain permanent theory. Sound theory is nothing but a true expla- he may not be aware of it, as Molier's Bourgeois distinctive characters, by which their individuality nation of the causes, and modes, by which effects Gentilhomme had all his life conversed in Prose, is preserved; and consequently, that the strange are produced. There are certain laws which con-without knowing it! Every farmer knows that an conceits which still infest some of our brethren, retrol and regulate every process in nature; and to excess of clay may be corrected by the addition of lative to the transmutation of plants, are as unfoundcomprehend those laws correctly, is to possess the sand-that an undue proportion of sand requires ed in fact, as they are repugnant to reason. We true theory of the process. Is this an acquisition to the admixtion of aluminous earth, &c. to fit it for shall learn, indeed, that species may be improved by be despised? Or will any one pretend that all theo- the successful culture of plants;—and experience has culture-(for that is a very material object, with the ry can be discarded? On the contrary, it is certain, taught us all, that calcareous earth, or lime, is a judicious farmer,) and also, in some few instances, that there is no man-not even the most prejudiced, most important ingredient in the formation of a that those nearly allied to each other may comminplodding disciple of empiricism, in any profession, good soil. These circumstances, as already re-gle: but we shall find that the notion of a generic, or who has not his theory, such as it is. It is impos-marked, are connected with mineralogy; for he that even of a specific transformation, in the botanical sible for a mind possessing intelligence enough to can distinguish the various earths that enter into character of any plant, is so preposterous,-so comobserve a succession of phenomena, or series of the composition of the soil, and determine their re-pletely at variance with the established laws of naconnected facts, not to form some theory, however lative proportions, is something of a mineralogist,ture, that its existence can only be accounted for imperfect, of the laws, or modes of causation: and I and is so far qualified to avail himself of the aids of by tracing it, through the obscure channel of tradiventure to affirm, that the facts themselves will al- that science in the prosecution of his labours. It is, tion, to the unenlightened age in which it originated. ways be most carefully ascertained by those who then, apparent, that a portion of the science is in- The prevalence of prejudices such as these, is not seek to understand the principles which govern dispensable to the Agriculturist who would succeed merely injurious by leading the farmer to overlook them. Few things are more abundant than false in his pursuits. May we not safely infer, that an the true mode in which pernicious, or unprofitable facts, or assumptions purporting to be facts: and additional portion would enable us to carry our im- vegetables are propagated; but it exerts an unhapnone are so prone to adopt, and be misled by them, provements to a greater extent to augment the py influence on the mind-substituting credulous as those who disdain to theorize, or investigate. If productiveness of our lands, and add the pleasures indolence for philosophical inquiry-and thereby these views are correct, it becomes our interest, as of intelligence to the enjoyments of profit? retarding our progress in the career of improve

it should be our pride and ambition, to apply them The interesting science of Chemistry, so univer- ment.

judiciously to the business of the farm. We should sally and intimately connected with the arts and Zoology, or that branch of science which treats of endeavour to qualify ourselves to observe with ac-manufactures, is not less important in the business animated nature, is also an useful and important accuracy to scrutinize facts, and make legitimate of Agriculture. It is, indeed, an indispensable aux-quisition to the Agriculturalist who would be masdeductions. If those who have preceded us, have iliary in the pursuit of mineralogical science; and ter of his profession: for his pursuits necessarily observed negligently, or reasoned incorrectly, and necessarily enters into every investigation of the comprise a degree of knowledge, more or less exthereby advanced absurd theories,-let it be our constitution, and qualities of the soil. By its aid, tended, of each of the three great divisions of the province to rectify their mistakes. The explosion we learn the presence or the absence, of those in-material world—the mineral, the vegetable, and the of an old error, is scarcely less valuable than the gredients which experience has shown to be inju- animal kingdoms. Without dwelling on the value discovery of a new truth. It surely will be admit-rious, or beneficial, to the growth of vegetables; of our domestic animals, or the skill and attention ted, that there is a true solution for every pheno- and it enables us to correct, or counteract, such as requisite to procure an improved stock--a subject menon in nature; and if, as is alleged, the book- have been found to be pernicious. The entire sys- of immense interest to the farmer, and in relation farmers have led their brethren astray by erroneous tem of preparing manures, and applying them with to which a distinguished member of this Society has theories, let it be our business to detect the fallacies, the best effect, -the ascertaining of the compara- afforded an example of successful zeal, and liberal and expose the errors of their works. Let those tive values of agricultural products, as food, and, enterprise, as honourable to himself, as it has been who delight to rail at the absurdities of Agricultural in short, the laws which control the affinities of advantageous to his country,-without, I say, enwriters, distinguish themselves by the more noble matter, and regulate the various processes of the larging upon this fruitful topic, it will be sufficient and profitable employment of promulgating sound field, the farm-yard, and the kitchen, are all legiti- for my present purpose to advert to a single subdidoctrines. Let us all commence our labours by mate objects of chemical science. How important vision of the science, termed Entomology, or that collecting a fund of carefully ascertained facts, in then, is it, that we should avail ourselves of the branch of Zoology which treats of insects. A more