ART. I.

REVIEWS.

Transactions of the Essex Agricultural Society for 1844. Vol. III. No. V. Published by order of the Society. Pamp. 8vo. pp. 110. Salem 1845.

THE part for 1844 of this report includes the Annual Address by J. W. Proctor Esq. of Danvers and the reports of the Committees awarding premiums for the year.

Mr. Proctor's address is a retrospective view of the progress of agriculture in Essex County since the formation of the Society; and a merited compliment is paid to its first president, the late TIMOTHY PICKERING. "I know of no man," says Mr. Proctor, "unless I except Mr. J. Lowell of Roxbury, who did more to elevate the character of the farmer and instruct him in his vocation."

We might quote many interesting extracts from this address if we had room. Mr. Proctor notices the plough, and the improvements which had been made in its construction, the introduction and value of the sub-soil plough, the improvement of our native stock,-the reclaiming of swamp lands-the proper production and application of manures,and other subjects all interesting to the farmer. No one can be insensible to the importance of plantations of trees for timber, to take the place of the forests, which are so rapidly disappearing in all parts of the country. Mr. Proctor has not omitted to notice the inattention to this important subject, and in connexion with it makes the following remarks, which are so appropriate that we have made room for this extract:

Curiosity led me a few weeks since to inquire for the plantation in Hamilton, for which the State bounty of one hundred dollars was awarded about forty-five years since. By the aid of a friend I found the place, but the trees were few and far between.

Were our Legislators entirely in the wrong in supposing the cultivation of such trees to be a desirable object? Or does the mistake lie with the proprietor of the soil? That timber trees are indispensably necessary for the convenience, prosperity and safety of the nation, will be admitted by all. That they can be successfully cultivated, with proper attention applied, is equally clear. Why then is it not done? Why has it happened that all the attempts have proved abortive? In what manner could Essex farmers

better consult the permanent interests of their children, than by planting trees? Grounds so rough and rocky as to be unfit for tillage, and we have many acres such, can in no way be so profitably improved. In England and Scotland are hundreds of acres of forests now growing, in most thrifty condition, that were planted by the hand of man. Shall not the independent yeomanry of New England, the tenants of their own soil, have equal confidence in the stability of their institutions, and the propriety of providing for the benefit of those who may come after them, as do those who toil to plant where they never can own? Perhaps the uncertainty of the tenure of our estates, and the still greater uncertainty of the disposition of the rising generation to be willing to follow the humble but honorable occupation of their fathers, has deterred many from venturing upon experiments, the benefits of which could not be realized while they lived. Such a policy is short-sighted, and unworthy enlightened citizens. What consequence is it whether our acres are inherited by our sons or others, if they are but rightly used? Does not this jealousy of feeling operate in a manner to alienate the affections from the paternal estate? Are not the ever changing movements of the age unfavorable to permanent valuable improvements? The cultivation of trees generally, whether for ornament, for fruit, or for timber, is an object that demands much more attention than has been given to it. I have not time to speak as I would like, of the cultivation of fruit trees,—of the increasing attention lately given to the subject,—of the many and valuable varieties of apples, pears, &c., cultivated by our horticultural friends in Salem, Lynn, Haverhill, and other towns; - but can simply say, that there is no branch of husbandry that yields a more certain and ample reward, and that the demand for good fruits of every description seems to be in advance of the supply.

Very early in the history of the Society were facts stated by Dr. Nichols, in relation to the cultivation of the locust tree, highly worthy of regard. Having myself witnessed similar facts, I am fully persuaded that in no way can our barren and gravelly pastures be so advantageously used, as by covering them with the locust, which may readily be done, either by planting the seed, or by here and there transplanting a tree, and allowing them to spread as they are much inclined to do. Lands thus managed I have known to yield posts and rail-road sleepers, that sold for more than one hundred dollars per acre, for ten acres together, within forty years from the first planting,-which during this period had been of more value for pasturing in consequence of the trees growing thereon. For it is a fact, that the feed, both in quantity and quality, under and about the locust tree, is better than where there are no trees. Take into view also the increasing demand for this kind of timber, for rail-roads, fencing, trunnels for ships, and other purposes, and the rapidity of its growth, advancing so rapidly that those who plant may gather, and it will not be easy to find an object more worthy the attention of the owners of such unproductive lands.

Suppose our farmers should set out rows of the locust, the sugar maple, the ash, the elm, or the larch, by the borders of their fields, by their pasture fences, or by the road side,—and in this way start a growing from fifty to

one hundred trees to each of their acres,- would their other crops in any manner be prejudiced thereby? Would not the verdure and beauty of the scenery more than balance all inconveniences? Let these trees continue to grow, for one generation only, and the trees themselves would be of more value, than the land on which they were planted. Let them be planted in the streets of villages, and about dwellings, as seems to be the growing taste of the public, and they will have a value almost beyond estimate.*

We commend this to the notice of all owners and cultivators of land, confident that in no way can a great portion of the now waste land of our State be made to produce a better profit to the planter. Arboriculture is just now beginning to attract attention, and our agricultural societies should encourage the plantation of trees by liberal premiums.

The fruit and flower report is from the pen of J. S. Cabot, and the report of Fruit trees from J. C. Lee of Salem. It is gratifying to see so much attention given to the cultivation of fruit trees. A slight increase in the amount of the premiums, would be attended, we think, with better results.

ART. II.

Transactions of the Agricultural Society and Institute, of Newcastle County, Delaware, at the Ninth Annual Meeting, held at Wilmington, on the 11th and 12th of Sept. 1844, with the Address delivered by J. S. SKINNER, ESQ. Published by order of the Society. Pamp. Svo, pp. 52. Wilmington, 1844.

LITTLE Delaware is zealous in the cause of agricultural science. The pamphlet now before us, contains the reports of numerous committees awarding premiums for flowers and fruits, vegetables, agricultural implements, improved stock, &c. It closes with an excellent address by our correspond

* In three instances within my observation have I known the ravages of fire stopped by the shady elms. This was distinctly so in the destructive fire of Sept. 22, 1843, at Danvers, which was prevented passing from the Church to the easterly side of the way, by several thrifty elms that had been set only about twenty years. Had it not been stayed in this manner, the whole village must have been consumed. A similar event happened at Gloucester but a few years since. Surely such facts should prompt to the cultivation of such trees.

ent, J. S. Skinner, Esq., of Washington, formerly editor of the American Farmer.

Mr. Skinner paid a visit to our State the last autumn, and he introduces many instances of the industry of our population, both in manufactures and the agricultural art. The conclusion of the address is devoted to a notice of Guano, which is now attracting the attention of the farming public; and data are given by which is shown the economy of using this valuable fertilizer.

ART. III. Peruvian and Bolivian Guano, its nature and properties, and results, with an account of authentic experiments made with it in Great Britain, France and America, together with instructions for its use. Pamp. 8vo., pp. 32. Baltimore, 1844.

No subject has recently attracted more attention among agriculturists and cultivators of plants, than Guano. It is now but little more than a year since it was first introduced into this country, except in very small quantities, and the results which have thus far been obtained, have been so favorable, that they have already created a demand for this valuable manure. Until recently, the supply of Guano has been wholly from the coast of Peru; but the late discovery of it at Ichiboe, on the coast of Africa, has increased the supply, and by lessening the price, created a greater demand, and consequently a much greater consumption of the article, and it has now established itself as the most powerful fertilizer that can be applied to the soil.

The statements which were first given to the public respecting its application, were so various and conflicting, that many cultivators were prejudiced against its use. A course of actual experiments was necessary to convince the skeptical of its great importance and value. This led to the publication of several pamphlets, in which the analysis of the Guano was given, and the results of accurate trials on various crops, set forth. Such a collection of facts, from experi

enced cultivators, convinced the doubting, and at once established its use by a majority of the intelligent farmers of Great Britain.

The pamphlet is a republication in part, and partly a record of experiments made by intelligent farmers in Maryland and Virginia, where it has been more extensively used than in the Eastern States. The results are all favorable,-some, of course, more so than others, but this can be traced to soil or other causes, and its application in the place of ordinary manure, will prove a saving of more than fifty per cent. with many crops.

Our last volume contains a great amount of information relative to the use of Guano for garden purposes. This has been mostly communicated by our correspondent, Mr. Teschemacher, who was one of the first to try experiments with it, which have been eminently successful.

But it is among the farming community that information is wanted relative to this manure, and this little pamphlet is intended to supply it. We therefore recommend it most cordially, and only hope that it may be the means of inducing every intelligent cultivator to at least give it a fair trial, before discarding its use.

ART. IV. Literary Notices.

Chemistry of Animal and Vegetable Physiology.-We are glad to announce as now in press this new work by the celebrated Mülder of Utrecht, translated from the original Dutch by M. Fromberg, pupil of Mülder, and now first assistant in a Laboratory of the Scotch Society for promoting Agricultural Chemistry. The English translation is revised and edited with notes by Prof. Jas. F. W. Johnston of Durham, the well known author of so many valuable works on Chemistry as applied to agriculture.

The American Edition will be published from the early proof sheets forwarded to Mr. B. Silliman, Jr. by Prof. Johnston, and will contain important corrections and additions