number and no more appeared in The Cultivator until June. In the May number we find the explanatory note: ADVERTISING. "At the request of many of our patrons, and to save the trouble of frequent inquiries, we propose to publish short advertisements in our last page relating to farm stock, farm seeds, farm implements, &c., and to make up to our customers, at the end of the volume, by an extra sheet, the space occupied by advertisements. The terms of advertis ing will be one dollar for ten lines, or less, for each insertion, which will not be deemed extravagant for twenty thousand impressions. Cash in advance." Imagine a publisher in these days promising to make up the space taken up by advertising. Instead of being something to apologize for, ads have become things to boast about. In the June number we find ads again, and they continue to occupy more space in each succeeding number. In this number we find thre ads occupying less than one column in the aggregate. It appears that rates were revised before the ads appeared, as at the head of the ads stands this notice: "Price of Advertising, $1 for three insertions of ten lines or less.' With the first ads three months before the Saratoga mineral springs, since become so famous, were advertised and in the one under review, singularly enough "a splendid Country Seat on the Highlands of the Hudson, known as the Beverly Estate, once the Head Quarters of General Arnold," is offered for sale as a whole or to be divided into three farms. After reciting the advantages of river frontage, fertile soil and timber land, the salubrity of the location is shown by saying that during the recent epidemic of cholera not a single case occurred within ten miles of this place. Another advantage was the facility with which New York City could be reached. The farm lay just outside of Newburg, and New York could be reached in four hours. Now many people work in New York and sleep in Newburg. L. F. Allen advertises "thorough-bred Short Horn cattle and also Devon-Shorthorn crosses, Samuel Allen having charge of the matter and Lewis G. Collins being herdmaster." The remaining ad in this number is of a horticultural exhibition to be held in Albany. In July, Lewis F. Allen and Samuel Allen unite in offering Shorthorns and a stallion named Bellfounder, got by imported Bellfounder, dam imported Lady Allport. C. J. Woolbert, auctioneer, advertises a sale of imported Shorthorns at Powelton, near Philadelphia. The New York State Urate and Poudrette Company" advertise their fertilizers and R. Sinclair & Co., Baltimore, Md., announce that they have for sale "Watkins' Improved Wheat Fans, Grain Cradles, and every other variety of tools for harvesting. "" A seed ad, which includes Chinese and Berkshire pigs, and two real estate ads, complete the list for this number. The October and November numbers had each a full page of advertising, but the December number fell back to two columns, one of which was a column ad of Harper's School Library series of books. The November number came with reversed rules and announced the death of Judge Buel, the founder of the Cultivator, which occurred suddenly at Danbury, Conn., October 6, 1839. At the time this number was issued the future of the publication was in doubt. Another number was issued November 20 announcing that arrangements had been made with "Mr." Tucker, editor and publisher of The Genesee Farmer, Rochester, N. Y., to unite the two papers and publish them at Albany. A prospectus appeared in this number announcing the consolidation, with Willis Gaylord and Luther Tucker as editors. The editor regrets that the November number was out late, but explains that he was called out with the troops to suppress disturbances among the tenants of Van Rensselaer Manor. A tabulated list showing the number of subscribers in the several states is published in which we find Illinois had 424. A list of the agents is also printed which shows that S. Abell, postmaster, was subscription agent at Chicago. It is perhaps needless to add that Chicago postmasters do not, at this time, solicit subscriptions for farm papers. We are tempted to linger over this old volume, but space forbids. The volumes succeeding the ones here reviewed the consolidated, were under the editorial charge of Luther Tucker and they have continued to be published by him and his sons to the present day, the name having been changed years ago to The Country Gentleman. THE GENESEE FARMER. VOL. II. ROCHESTER, SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 1832. PUBLISHED BY L. TUCKER & Co. Terms-$2.50 per annum, or $2.00 if paid in advance. N. GOODSELL, EDITOR. TO OUR PATRONS. a short period after being ordered, and we are NO. 1. to others, as zeal is not always a proof of superior knowledge. Although such societies should consist principally of practical men, yet it would not be policy Our friends in this and the adjoining state, to exclude all others, for we find that it frequenthave kindly forwarded as a numerous list of the ly happens, that mercantile and professional names of their friends and acquaintance, who they men, render essential service to Agriculture, by the introduction and distribution of valuable breeds ume. We return our thanks to the several gen-think if apprised of our work, would become subtlemen who have the year past contributed so lib scribers, and to whom we have taken the liberty erally to our columns, and who have enabled us at of forwarding the first number of the second volthis time to present to the public a number composed entirely of ORIGINAL articles; we have inWe count now among our correspondents and deed been compelled to omit several communications, as well as Editorial articles, which we in-assistants the best talents the country produces, by whose aid and the acknowledged abilities tended to have published in this number. It con- of the senior Editor, we hope to render it a desitaina, however, communications from Judge Burable and necessary appendage to the Farmer's DAN BRADLEY, Esq.; Professor EATON; Dr. SPAFFORD; Z. BARTON STOUT, Esq.; DAVID THOM48, and Ulmus, whose name we should be pleased to communicate to our readers, were we in possession of it. We have delayed the publication of several of his communications which have been received, for the purpose of giving them a place in the second volume. or Gardener's Library. L. TUCKER & CƠ. Publishers. STATE AGRICULTURAL CONVEN of animals, &c. The constant intercourse which many of our merchants have with foreign countries, make them important auxiliaries to Agriculture; yet, those men who have taste, and love of country enough to appropriate money for these purposes, would do it with the same promptness, and perhaps more, when they knew that in every instance, every such investment would be adjudged by those who were the most capable of appreciating their real valua As there is now some feeling manifested by farmers in different parts of the state, to meet and consult on the importance of establishing state and In our last, we copied from the New-York Far-county societies, we hope that printers friendly to mer, a letter from a gentleman in Saratoga coun-the interests of the husbandman, will take the We acknowledge, also, with pleasure, they, giving his views upon the utility of organi trouble to diffuse such information as may come aid we have received from many of our Editorial zing State and County Agricultural Societies, al-within their knowledge, seasonably, that the dif brethren, by the notices they have taken of the so recommending a State Agricultural Conven- ferent counties may meet and consult upon the FARMER, as a knowledge of its existence and tion, to be held at Albany, on the fourteenth day mode of operation and representation, should of February next. We further learn, that they, approve of a state convention. In making character has thereby been extended throughout this proposition is approved by most of the east this matter into consideration, it may be well to a great part of the country." ern counties; and the prospect is now that such a look at it in a national point of view. The time convention will be held at the time and place a-seems big with events affecting every civilized bove mentioned, to take into consideration the pro- nation. England and France have long been Priety of forming such societies, upon such prin- looked up to by other parts of the world, as patciples as shall be thought most likely to benefit terns in Agriculture and the arts; one has for years past been consuming in her own internal the practical Agriculturists throughout the state. When we take into consideration the vast im-fire, and sounds issuing from the other, are portentious of an explosion which may not "leave a What nation then will take wreck behind." the fore-ground? The motto of the Americans is Onward!' 'Onward!' Al the commencement of our undertaking, mamy of our best friends, and those ardently devoted to Agriculture, frankly gave us their opinion, that it was hazardous almost to madness to attempt such a work in a new country, with an unsettled and migratory population, yet in the incipient state of cultivation and refinement who could not be expected to patronize, with suffi-portance of the object, as compared with many cient zeal, a work solely devoted to a particular others,, upon which, not only state but national subject. But maugre all the predictions on the conventions have been called, we cannot but hope subject, our seedling of one year has withstood that every county in the State, but more especial the frest and the storm, and from the strength of ly those of Western New-York, will think it its root, we trust it will be able, under the revivify for their interest to he represented. ing influence of the smiles and favors of its pat rens, to bud, blossom, and bear fruil, to equal their expectations. ( We are fully aware that many entertain prejudices against such societies, which were founded upon the unequal effects of those once established Though we have not as yet received a sufficient in this state, which served to distribute premiums, number of subscribers to defray the actual ex- where an unprofitable course of cropping was purpense of publication, still such is our conviction sued, rather than information concerning the funof the need of such a paper, and the merits of the damental principles of Agriculture, and their apFarmer, that we are determined to persevere, beplication to the every day business of the farms; ing convinced that we shall, when the utility of the yet all will acknowledge that there was a spirit paper shall become more generally known, receive of inquiry, engendered during the existence of such support as will reward us for past sacrifices. those societies, which has had a very beneficial A considerable number of copies of the first vol- effect upon community; and in one or two instanume yet remain on hand, for which, and the com- ces (as in Jefferson county) where those sociing volume, we shall be happy to receive subscri-eties have been kept up, after the patronage of the state was withdrawn, they have fully met the If all our subscribers would interest them most sanguine expectations of their friends.selves so far, as to try to procure us one subscri- Those societies were not continued long enough ber cach, and if one half of them should succeed, to correct the evils growing out of the want of it would not only lay us under renewed obligations, practical knowledge on the part of many who but remunerate us for the undertaking equal to were most ardent in their support; or in other our most ardent hopes, and encourage us to in-words, the practical farmers in giving up the crease our exertions to render it one of the most management of them to incompetent men, did valuable Farmer's and Gardener's Scrapbooks themselves much injury. Should there be a re-esDow published. bera The first volume can be sent to almost any part of the State, free of expense of transportation, in tablishment of Agricultural Societies through the We regret that we have not been able to. give the whole of Mr. BRADLEY'S Appeal in behalf of Agricultural Papers-we have, however, given the most important part of it; and we hope all those who desire to promote the prosperity of the Farming interest, will give it that attention which the subject deserves. If it shall be the means of calling out the active exertions of those who duly appreciate the utility of well conducted agricultural journals, and thereby promote their circulation generally among the Farmers, Mr. BRADLEY will have conferred upon the public a benefit which will entitle him to its lasting gratiude. Contents of this Number. Professor EATON. State Board of Agriculture- by ULMUS. Do 1 Thirty-Seven Years an Agricultural Editor Gilbert M. Tucker, Editor of The Country Gentleman I Being the second of a series of Reminiscences to be printed Agricultural Advertising THANK you for the privilege of seeing advance proof of your entertaining article on "The Farm of Sixty-five Years Ago," referring to The Cultivator of 1838-9, and think possibly you may be interested in some notes about the beginning of the other and earlier paper which absorbed The Cultivator in 1840, the consolidation afterwards assuming its present form as The Country Gentleman, which is the oldest agricultural paper in the world, never having skipped a single issue since the first number was published, by the father of the pres GILBERT M. TUCKER ent editor-in-chief, and no change of ownership having occurred except by descent from father to son. It may be worth while to remark in passing that there are only ten agricultural periodicals in the country which were founded before 1850 and outlived the nineteenth century, viz.: Country Gentleman, Jan. 1, 1831; Maine Farmer, Jan. 21, 1833; American (Boston) Cultivator, 1839; Massachusetts Plowman, 1841; Prairie Farmer, 1841; American Agriculturist, 1842: Southern Cultivator, March, 1843; Indiana Farmer, 1845; Rural World, Jan. 1, 1848; Ohio Farmer Jan. 1, 1848. The first paper of the two now consolidated as The Country Gentleman was The Genesee Farmer, established at Rochester, Jan. 1, 1831, as a weekly; and considering the circumstances, the enterprise was far more in advance of the times than the establishment of a daily agricultural journal would be now. Rochester had then a population of about 9,000, and when, five years before starting The Genesee Farmer, my father established there the first daily newspaper west of New York, The Rochester Advertiser (still published, by the way), the people held up their hands in astonishment at his folly in thinking he could run a daily paper out there in the wilderness. Run it he did, however; and he ran the agricultural weekly also, with great success and some profit. Unfortu nately, our copy of the first volume has disappeared, but I send you a photograph of the first page of the second volume, which does not differ in style from the initial issue. It had eight pages per week, 8 inches by 102. The subscription price was $2.50, or $2 if paid in advance; and by the beginning of the third year the subscription list had reached "about one thousand," "scattered over most of the states of the union, as well as the provinces of Upper and Lower Canada." An occasional advertisement appeared in the second and subsequent volumes; but no terms of advertising were ever given in the paper, and the proprietor always regretted that he admitted any advertisements at all. When he bought The Cultivator and united therewith The Genesee Farmer, he found that the former had been giving, as he thought, altogether too much space to matter of that highly objectionable character; and he determined to be rid of it, once for all, publishing a prominent announcement, on the first page of the first issue of the combined papers, Jan. 1, 1840, that no advertisements would be inserted thereafter. This program lasted until December, 1841, when he announced that in deference to many urgent requests, he would permit single insertions of only strictly appropriate advertisements, at $2 per square of twelve lines, no advertisement to be repeated at any price. It does not appear at what time this second and less severe rule was broken down, but it must have been prior to the issue of May 1, 1843, as that number contains one advertisement marked "3t" and one marked "6t." The abhorred intruders had succeeded in establishing themselves within the sacred enclosure-and no wonder they wanted to. The Cultivator seems to have had at that time a circulation exceeding sixty thousand-larger, I imagine, than any other periodical of any name or nature in America. Speaking of advertising, I have run hastily over our ledger of fifty years ago, 1854, and noted the names of at least four patrons who are with us regularly yet-Henry A. Dreer, Ellwanger & Barry, Harper & Brothers, and Thorburn & Co., not to speak of Fowler & Wells, the successors of which firm send us an order about once a year. How many periodicals are there, of any class, or in any country, that have more than four advertisers of half a century's standing? I have mused myself also by endeavoring to ascertain, though with uncertain results, when we first began to receive orders from anything like the modern advertising agency, and strike an order for issue of July 30, 1857, from S. M. Pettengill, "half square," four times, D. H. Mulford, advertiser, $2.40 less 4 to Pettengill, $1.80 net. Another agency customer as far back as Dec. 27, 1860, was the firm of John Hooper & Co. These two are all that I recognize as profesional agents in the Ledger covering the years 1856-1863, but there were probably others, and it is more than doubtful whether the Pettengill charge mentioned was really the first to an agent. The feature that strikes one most forcibly in browsing through these old advertising accounts is the irregularity of charge for equivalent services. Shorttime business, to be sure, appears to have been about uniform; but for orders running for two or three months or longer, the differences are notable. Each order was then considered a special bargain into which might enter many circumstances, much as the cost of building the same house on the same lot might be very different in different years. The season was taken into consideration; one could take an order cheaper for June and July than for March and April. The kind of business made a difference; an advertiser who offered expensive machines could afford to pay much more pro rata than one who sold plants in small lots or retail packages of seeds. The desirability of the business was considered; an advertisement or a farm for sale was gladly taken at about half what would be charged for a patent medicine card of the same size. The personality of the advertiser counted for something; a man who had a good many advertisements from time to time and had been patronizing the paper for some years could get a three months' run very much lower than a new customer. In all this there was reason and logic, and I think The Country Gentleman was about the last agricultural weekly of prominence to make its rates inflexible and to recognize only one class of business (live stock) as entitled to a lower schedule than the rest. I believe we are now the narrowest in this particular. for I think almost all the rest publish cut rates for "Want Ads" and for a lot of miscellaneous things that they classify specially. Writing this reminiscent letter suggests to me the inqury how near I come to being the Dean of the American Agricultural Press. How many others are there who have been working editors on an agricultural periodical continuously, without any break whatever, since July. 1867? Doubtless there are some, but I imagine they are mighty few, and I wish any such veterans would make themselves known through your widely circulated columns. W The Man With the World at His Feet ELL within the time to which his tory runs back, the farmer was under the feet of the world. He had no rights that any other man was bound to respect. His very existence depended on the temper of his masters, the warriors of his country, and his possessions were common property. He had hardly the right to defend himself against his equals, and no right whatever against his feudal lord, who owned the land he tilled and took of the products thereof such share as he pleased. "The man with the hoe" in those days was not asked for his opinions on matters of government: his the task of paying the taxes and feeding the people, giving all things, expecting nothing. And he climbed the Hill of Progress with halting steps and much painful effort. At the beginning he was real estate, a part of the soil, bought and sold with the fee when land changed hands. Without any right to change his habitation, except when ordered to do so, he was an abject being, living in a hut and eating the coarsest food. was good enough to plow and plant and gather the harvest. After that came his chieftain, the petty baron, who in turn yielded allegiance and service to the overlord, who was under bonds to his sovereign. The farmer of those days belonged to the lowest stratum of society, and accepted his place with the meekness and servility that became one who lived only by sufferance, because he was necessary to the comfort of some superior being. He Today the farmer is the standard by which nations are judged. His condition is the unvarying criterion by which we may know just where any nation stands in the scale of civilization and progress. Given a country where no respect is shown to the man who actually tills the soil, and that nation is sunk in superstition and darkness just to the extent that the farmer, as an element to be reckoned with, is neglected. Where the farmer stands highest, the nation is among the first in everything that makes for progress and that ultimate state of civilization which enthusiasts dream about and for which idealists hope. When that time comes that the sword shall be beaten into ploughshares and spears into pruning hooks and the lion and the lamb shall lie down together; when the wilderness shall blossom as a rose and all the waste places shall be made glad, it will come because the world shall be devoted to agriculture and the peaceful farmer shall have accomplished his mission of subjugating the earth to his dominion. Is that time to come at the end of an almost endless procession of years? No. The farmer has covered more than half the journey from his starting place to the goal. Where once he bent in meek suppliance and trembling fear before the pettiest officer of the crown, today the Kaiser, the mighty war lord of a great nation submits when the farmers of Ger many make demands. The great white Czar of all the Russias is less fearful of the little yellow men who are worry. ing his eastern coasts than of the tillers of the soil in his dominions, who are beginning, faintly and far off to be sure, but still beginning, to see the light of new things and hear of the promise of better days. The ban of Eden has become the blessing of the world. Because thorns and thistles have sprung up all through the ages to curse the ground, and because men have been obliged to eat their bread in the sweat of their brows, they have progressed and pressed upward, until now he who tills the soil has the world at his feet. His the skill that conquers difficulties, his the patience that surmounts every obstacle, his the industry that feeds the world. For the farmer, railway trains flash back and forth like huge shuttles weaving the web of things to be, for him white sails dot every sea, and the leviathan of the deep carry merchandise to the remotest ends of the earth. The farmer has never waited for opportunity to knock at his door. He has gone to her, waked her before the sun lighted the east; he has not stood still because the day was spent, but has labored on until the stars had set their watchfires in the skies. He has not looked down, but has ever gone onward, fearing not the hills which he climbed, nor fainted because as he won over |