SAXTON & MILES, Publishers, 205 Broadway. revival of business has also taken place; and a portion of our population which had returned to farming, have again resumed their mechanical and manufacturing employments. Owing to the great abundance of money, new enterprises are likely to be undertaken on private account; our general In presenting the First Number of the Third Volume of the American Agriculturist to our readers, we can not but congratulate them on the change of times which has taken place within one short year, and look back with some degree of satisfaction to an article in our last January num-government will undoubtedly commence a fresh ber, anticipating in a measure all that has come to pass. If the products of the farm are still thought to be too low, everything else is in proportion-not even excepting money, which can not be loaned at this present moment by capitalists, at a higher rate of interest per annum in Wall street, than it would have commanded per month six or seven years ago, when wheat, corn, pork, &c., were more than double the price they now are. But we contend that agricultural products, taking everything into consideration, are now bringing fair prices; and we think that our farmers generally have no reason to complain. There is no doubt in our mind, however, that they will gradually advance, and upon the opening of spring, and next summer, rule higher than they now do. There are many reasons why this should be so, the principal of which are, that the crops of hay, potatoes, and other roots, corn, sugar, and especially of cotton, have not been equal this year to those of the past. A general system of internal improvements-more especially such as regards facilitating the navigation of the western rivers, and improving the harbors on the lakes; the western states will also be enabled to go on with their most promising railroads and canals; and then if we look abroad at the states in Europe, we see a general revival of business there, and the prospect, in addition, of the duties on Flour and Meal being still further reduced in Great Britain, so much so, as to considerably increase the amount of our exportation of these articles. We could state other causes that are at work which are likely to slightly raise the price of provisions, but deem it unnecessary to dwell upon them. We think it disgraceful any longer now to speak of hard times; for, to the great majority of our citizens, they were never really substantially better. Let every one, then, be industrious and frugal-keep out of debt-look forward to the future with renewed hope-trust in Providence, and be assured that the country has again entered upon their management. Boys from 12 to 15 years old a bright and prosperous career. A FARMER'S EDUCATION. We can not think that the present system of educating the rural population of the country is what it to ought be. There are many things which might be taught in our district schools, which, so far as our information extends, seem never to have been thought of; things which may not only be made extremely interesting and instructive to children, but at the same time prove of great individual benefit when grown up, and they come to act for themselves; and such also as would add largely to the wealth, strength, and resources of the country. Here is one item, for example-apples. We find one person in this vicinity growing and shipping these to England, and realising $9 per barrel; another selling them in this market from $4 to $5 per barrel; while apples of an inferior kind are not worth over $1 to $2, and many are so poor that they could scarcely be given away. Now a child knows good and poor fruit by its taste; but there are other points about it to which it is important to direct attention. Suppose, then, any person residing in the school-district who may have paid some little attention to this subject, should take a few dozen apples, pears, or any other fruits of the season of various kinds, good, bad, and indifferent, and make his way with them to the school-house, call up the children around him, and point out their relative value, and the true reason why one should be cultivated in preference to the other. He would explain that a good apple should be of a suitable size; regular, even shape; with a small stem; smooth, thin skin; rich, juicy, solid pulp; pleasant flavor, either tart or sweet; a small core, and few seeds. In short, that it should possess as much pleasant nutritious substance as possible, combined with the least amount of stem, skin, core, and seed. Now this, if a good bearer, would be a superior apple-worthy of a name, and of propagation. Then, by way of contrast, the children should be shown a poor apple, and their attention be called to that-not only by allowing them to judge of the difference in taste, but also by pointing out the long, large stem; the thick, coarse skin; the dry, tough, sour pulp; the large core, and the small amount of really nutritious substance in the fruit. After this they might be taught to graft, and be instructed upon fruit-trees in general, and the best system of may learn all this as easily as grown men, and when they come to be grown up and manage their own farms, the great majority of them would not only have plenty of fruit around them, but that also of a first-rate quality, although they might expect no foreign market for it. If good fruit were universally cultivated throughout the country, this alone would be adding to its annual wealth sever al millions of dollars. In the same simple manner, the children of every rural district could be taught to judge of the relative difference in the value of vegetables; that a dry, mealy potato is not only more agreeable to their own taste, but twice, or perhaps thrice as nutritious for their stock-feeding as a poor-flavored, watery one may be. How few, if asked, can tell the difference in the value to animals of sugar-beet and mangel-wurzel, or the succulent ruta-baga and the coarse, pithy, white turnep. There is as great a difference in the nutriment of various kinds of winter-squash and pumpkins; and yet scarce any one thinks or speaks of it. The same in the grasses; in wheat, rye, barley, oats, and corn; in cotton, and, we are not sure, in rice and sugar; the different breeds of horses, cattle, sheep, swine, and poultry; the plow, and, indeed, all agricultural implements. These may be called very homely subjects to be taught a child; but are they not of vast consequence in the aggregate to the man and to the country? We believe that persons may be found in nearly all our school districts, who would be quite capable of lecturing intelligently on the subjects herein mentioned, and willing to do it gratuitously; and if one hour a day for three months in the year could be given to these, the farmers of our country would greatly increase their stores of knowledge in a few years, understand the reasons of their practice better than they now do, and be working to much more profit and advantage. When the young men had attained a mature age, they might form themselves into classes, and devote their winter evenings to obtain a knowl edge of manures, soils, and the best method of im proving them; and the best system of a rotation of crops. To this might be added an acquaintanc with the elementary principles of chemistry, ge ology, botany, and mechanics. It really seems t us, that all the subjects of education which w have here mentioned, are easily attainable by every person before arriving at 21 years of age however humble his circumstances, and witho detriment to the course of studies already pursue at the district schools. It must be recollected that forest-lands recently cleared, are so full of large roots of the trees just cut off, and these run so near the surface of the Books for reading, in the country schools especially, ought to be different from what they now are generally. They should contain more upon the subjects of agriculture, horticulture, stock-ground, that they make it almost impossible to breeding, and mechanics; and less of mere literary matter. Poets, orators, and fine writers, are not as much wanted as good farmers and mechanics. We have a burning desire to see every child in the republic, male and female, educated in such a manner as to be able to make the most of the resources of nature which surround them. A thorough education in the theory and practice of agriculture, the great business of our country, and, indeed, of mankind, is what our children should be taught. As the products of agriculture may be improved and cheapened, so will it follow with everything else-manufactures, arts, literature, and time, also, to avail ourselves of their pleasures and advantages. CULTIVATION OF CLEARED LANDS. AFTER the burning is accomplished, and the land is ready for a crop, the first thing necessary to be done, if the ashes are not to be disposed of for making potash, is to take shovels and distribute them and the coals which are left by the brush and log-heaps, as widely as possible around; otherwise, those spots will remain too rich, and give the crop there a rank and uneven growth for years. This accomplished, and the land enclosed under a good fence, it is ready for tillage. plow. When the soil, however, is suitable for a good growth of corn or wheat, these crops pay so well, and are so necessary to the family of the settler, that plowing is often immediately attempted. The best instrument for this purpose, is a strong and rather narrow plow skimming the earth lightly, and armed with a strong-set, sharp cutter forward, which, as it moves along, easily severs the smaller roots, while the larger ones are adroitly avoided by the plowman. After plowing, the land is thoroughly harrowed, then all the broken roots are raked up into heaps and carted away, or are suffered to remain till sufficiently dry, and then burnt. Others do not attempt to plow at all, but after harrowing the land as well as the stumps and top-roots will permit, sow wheat broad-cast, and then harrow and brush it in. If it be a good soil for wheat, and reasonably friable, and a favorable season ensues, it takes well, smothers the weeds, and yields a fair crop even with this imperfect preparation. When plowing is not resorted to for corn, it is planted in hills at suitable distances by walking straight forward with the hoe, removing a shallow scoop of soil, dropping the seed in, and then covering it. Some give the corn no after-culture for the first, second, and occasionally even the third year, from carelessness, laziness, or in consequence of the numerous strong roots, which, till somewhat decayed, are so great an obstruction to the plow. But this allows the weeds to spring up in great abundance, frequently almost choking the crop, and under any circumstances greatly lessening the yield. We have occasionally seen a heavy, nar FIRST CROPS.-To one unacquainted with new lands, it seems to him, after the removal of the wood, not a little astonishing to witness the numerous rank weeds which instantly spring up, where before scarce one was to be seen; and we know of nothing which so strongly reminds us of the primeval curse, "thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee," as a newly-cleared forest-row harrow, with strong, sharp teeth thickly set, field. The thrifty fire-weed shoots out like thicksown wheat; the thistle pushes up its head; and cockles, and briars, and burrs, come forth like the fabled dragon's teeth. In order to displace these and check their growth, it becomes very important to get in such a crop as will cover the land as thickly as possible. But such, frequently, are the pressing wants of the new settler, that this can not always be accomplished; he must consequently, take things as they are with him, and do as well as possible under the circumstances of the case. His first crops, therefore, will depend mainly upon three things: 1. The nature of the soil. 2. The climate. 3. The more immediate wants of the occupant. made for the purpose of cutting down the weeds. to be followed with hoes. The harrow, from the nature of circumstances, is partial in its effects, and hoeing is so slow and laborious, that few settlers have patience to trouble themselves about the weeds, and they allow the corn to take its chance, and do its own battling against them, and yield what it can. When clearing lands and putting them into cultivation, we fortunately were not much in want of wheat or corn; we more generally, therefore, put them immediately into grass, allowing them to remain so for several years, till the roots of the trees were sufficiently rotted to allow plowing with facility. Our method in effecting this, was to burn off as early as possible, harrow well, and always sow oats with the grass-seed, no matter if as late as July or August, as the oats kept the weeds down, and if they did not ripen or get a sufficient growth to be mowed for fodder, they would at least make a good covering for the grass. We think it very important to put on an extra quantity of grass seed in first seeding new lands, as the leaves of the forest-trees on the ground, chips, roots, &c., prevent more or less of it taking. No chance should be left for the weeds to come in, as it is more difficult eradicating them at this time, after once getting their growth, than at any other. The first cultivation of the prairies is entirely different from that of woodland; but as this subject was pretty fully discussed by Mr. Murray, and Mr. Robinson in our first volume, we shall not enter upon it, trusting that Mr. Robinson, agreeably to what he then led us to hope, will now finish up what he intended to say on these interesting matters. Upon the management of the forest-lands at the south, we do not feel qualified to enter; and trust, therefore, some of our friends in that quarter will | do it for us. We believe, however, that corn, cotton, rice, and even sugar-cane, are usually their first crops-we at least have often seen these crops growing on very new land in the southern states. MANURE.-When the soil has not already a sufficient quantity in it, the best manure for new lands is lime, as this tends to hasten the decomposition of the coarse vegetable matter with which it is surcharged, faster than anything else which can usually be applied at a like cost. When clover is sown, a top-dressing with plaster is very beneficial. FARM OF GEORGE DOUGLASS, Esq. We had so much to say in our last Volume of the agriculture of Long Island, that we do not know but our readers may think us somewhat partial to it. In describing Mr. Douglass' farm, therefore, we shall merely mention such things as we found different from others which we visited. This excellent farm is beautifully situated on the east side of Little Neck bay. The mansion and outbuildings are elegant and commodious; the view around is picturesque and varied in a high degree, and the grounds are laid out with much taste, and handsomely planted with trees and a profusion of choice shrubbery. The garden is a very fine one indeed, and rich in vegetables, and fruits, and flowers. The fields are of convenient size and well fenced, principally wtih stone wall. A good stock is kept here, mostly of milch cows of a high Durham cross, all of which prove uncommonly good milkers. From these, and the horses and oxen necessary for the farm work, a good deal of manure is made. In addition to this, the farm being bounded by the salt water, large quantities of sea-mud are thrown on the beach, which is gathered up and made to add to the riches of the dung-heap; so that Mr. Douglass has the means of enriching his land to any reasonable extent, and can, therefore, crop it more severely than if it were differently situated. ROTATION. The farm is under the management of Mr. Johnson, who politely took us over it and showed us everything which he thought might deserve attention. He puts his land hard at work, and the following is the rotation. First year, after mowing, break up the meadows and sow buckwheat. Second year, spread the manure broadcast in the spring, and plant with corn or roots. Third year, sow oats or barley, and at the proper time, after harvesting, put in wheat with grassseed. The fourth year the wheat is harvested; the land then remains in grass for six years. Under this system the soil has been steadily increasing in fertility, and the crops good. We are not sure, with such abundant resources of manure at at hand, that this rotation may not be the best, although the different kinds of grain following each other so rapidly, would, ander ordinary eir cumstances, be considered very exhausting. PREVENTIVE AGAINST THE TURNEP-FLY.-Mr. Johnson informed us, by mixing one pound of snuff, two pounds of sulphur, and two bushels of ashes together, and sowing this mixture broadcast upon the turneps as soon as they appear above ground, it would completely prevent the ravages of the fly. If soot can be had, it is also an excellent ingredient to add to the mixture. Among other little items, we saw here a very fine Scotch cattle-dog. He is of medium size, with long, silky hair, and possesses a very intelligent countenance. He suffers somewhat from the heat of our climate; yet, nevertheless, does his work up in excellent style. Mr. Johnson has succeeded, he thinks, in acclimating the Scotch holly, so far that it stood out the severity of last winter without protection, and flourished well the past summer. We should think this a pretty severe test; and we shall rejoice if this beautiful shrub, with its silver-edged, deep-green foliage, can be successfully introduced among us. Mr. Johnson showed us several large trees that he had transplanted, which we found doing very well. He TWIN CHICKENS.-COUNTRY VILLA.-SHELTER FOR STOCK. 5 adopted the plan recommended by Sir Henry The person above, gave it as her opinion that her with them, he has succeeded thus far better than PIGS BROUGHT UP WITHOUT SUCKING.-The same TWIN CHICKENS. WE recollect in our early days, when to possess a fine flock of poultry was the summit of our worldly ambition, of being told that eggs with double yolks would produce twin chickens. But among the numerous eggs that we continued to set from year to year of this kind, we never obtained any produce, nor were our acquaintances more lucky than ourselves; we therefore concluded that it was an "old woman's notion," hatching twin chickens from double-yolk eggs, and gave the matter up in despair, thinking, at least, that our birds were not destined to increase by this two-fold process. That eggs with double yolks will produce twin chickens there is now no longer a doubt in our minds; for in a recent visit to the Casina, the beautiful residence at Hurl-Gate Neck, of G. M. Woolsey, Esq., we saw one of such a pair. It was produced by the care of his factotum of the aviary, a stout, hearty Scotchwoman. Of this there can be no dispute; for, observing that one large egg under one of her setting hens had not hatched the day after all the other chickens came out, she carefully broke the end of the shell and picked it open, when out popped two strong live chickens, which she had not the slightest difficulty in raising. One proved a cock, the other a pullet. The latter we saw, and a fine little bird it is. The cock had been sold to go to market a few days before we visited the Casina; but in describing it, the good woman said: "It was, indeed, a very pratty beast." Now hatching twin chickens may be very common with some, and they may be inclined to smile over the simple tale we have so circumstantially told; but the real fact occurring beyond dispute, being new to us, we have thought it worthy a grave record in our jour-farmers to the comfortable shelter of their stock. nal. We are of opinion now that double-yolk eggs will produce twin chickens, perhaps as surely as single eggs, and the reason that they do not oftener, is, probably, because the shell is so thick that the chicken can not break it and escape. ABOVE we present our readers with the view of a country villa, the architecture of which, though rather ambitious, has been much admired, and is somewhat in vogue in this vicinity. We think the style better adapted for the south than the north. There, Venetian blinds, to open and shut at pleasure, would be inserted between the pillars, which would make the piazza a cool place to sit in, and extremely pleasant. The same idea may be adopted at the north in summer, and glass with three feet or so of panels at the bottom, could be substituted for them in winter, transforming the piazza thus into a beautiful conservatory during this dreary season of the year. SHELTER FOR STOCK. It has afforded us much satisfaction in various excursions which we have made through the country for the past few years, to observe the greatly increased attention that is paid by the Many is the barn, with its accompanying stables, and sheds, and yards, we have found-admirable examples of their kind, and approaching as near to perfection as it is possible perhaps to attain If these could be more extensively copied it would |