THE AMERICAN FARMER.

Mr. Goldsborough offered as an amendent, that the first named of the committee be empowered to receive the money collected by his colleagues, and transmit the same to the Treasurer, which was concurred in, and the resolution, as amended, was then adopted.

The President announced to the Society, that Professor Johnson, of Durham, England, was expected in this country, and it had been suggested that a course of lectures from him might be delivered, if measures were taken to that end, if the Society

desired to secure his services.

After some interchange of opinion, the subject was passed over for the present.

Mr. Walsh, from the Committee appointed at the last meeting of the Board of Managers to select a suitable place, for holding the annual Exhibition of Society, reported that no definite action had yet been taken on the subject, and asked for further time to make a report-which was granted.

Mr. Gill, Treasurer, presented a quarterly report of the Finances of the Society. On motion, the Society then adjourned until to

morrow at 11 o'clock.

Thursday, May 3d. The Society met agreeably to adjournment-the President in the chair.

The committee appointed last evening to prepare a list of Premiums for the second Annual Fair, reported that they had fixed upon Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, the 10th, 11th and 12th of October next, as the days for the purpose-that they had chosen the Hon. Jas. A. PEARCE, to deliver the Annual Address and presented the List of Premiums to be awarded, and the Rules and Regulations to govern the Exhibition-all of which was concurred

in.

Mr. CALVERT, President of the Society, offered the following preamble and resolutions :

Whereas, It being deemed by the members of this Society, that the Press is the most effectual means of enabling the Agriculturists of our country to attain their just rights, and maintain the dignity of the character to which they are entitled by moral worth, numerical strength, and usefulness-and

VOL. IV.-VOL. 12

Charles B. Calvert and Samuel Sands, which was concurred in, and the resolution as amended, unanimously adopted. The Society then adjourned.

"THE FARMERS' EXCHANGE."

The members of the Society, and others who have visited the rooms recently fitted up for the Maryland State Agricultural Society, have expressed the utmost gratification at the manner in which the plans of the Society have been carried out, and the benefits which must certainly accrue to the Agricultural interest therefrom. The following notice of the establishment, by the editors of the "American,” embraces a full view of the advantages likely to result from the opening of the rooms by the State Society; and we copy it in lieu of any remarks of farmers and planters of our own and other States, our own. A general invitation is extended to the to visit us when in the city; and we would solicit the aid and co-operation of all our friends, in extend. exhibition and distribution, any thing that is rare ing our usefulness, by forwarding to the rooms, for and useful to their agricultural brethren:

From the Baltimore American.

The Maryland State Agricultural Society has been in existence hardly a year, and already it is beginning to exert a beneficial influence upon the farming interests of the State. As the virtual head of the County Societies it is destined to be of immense service in concentrating the information elicited on all the various subjects connected with agriculture, and, aided by the co-operation of the County Associations, it will be able to disseminate such information and to give form and direction to all the movements having for their object the advancement of rural science or the protection of rural interests.

The Society have recently opened their new Hall, which is located in the "American Building." The rooms are admirably adapted to their purpose, the Hall being large, light, and easy of access from BalWhereas, The American Farmer, published in this timore street, the great thoroughfare of our city. city, and adopted as the organ of this society, being The circular from the President [published in the deemed a most valuable auxiliary in the progress of April No. of the Farmer] explains the objects which agricultural improvement, and to the conductors of the Society have in view in fitting up and keeping which much of the zeal which is now being mani-open these eligible and spacious apartments. fested in the State, may be attributed-and believing The great advantages which will be derived from that much further good can be achieved by its increased circulation in our own and other States: Therefore, be it

Resolved, That to the Agriculturists of the country it be recommended to raise a fund of $100, to be distributed in premiums to those who may obtain the largest number of new subscribers to the said journal for the next volume, commencing in July, 1849, as follows: To the person obtaining the largest list, prior to the 1st of October, a piece of Silver Plate, to the value of $50,-to the next highest, a piece of Plate to the value of $30,-and for the 3d largest list, $20.

Resolved, That each contribution be limited to the sum of $1.

Resolved, That all money subscribed to the said fund, be placed in the hands of , and that a list of the contributors be published in the American Farmer for October.

Mr. Worthington moved that the blank in the last resolution, be filled with the names of Messrs.

the establishment of a "Farmers' Exchange," such as that described in Mr. CALVERT's circular, must be apparent to all, and especially to those country gentlemen who have felt the necessity for some means of ready communication and advisement with each other. The Hall has been fitted up with suitable desks and seats for the society when in session, and provided with benches for the reception of samples of seeds, concentrated manures, fine vegetable productions, &c. Shelves and tables are also disposed through the room, on which are found the agricultural periodicals of this country, to which are shortly to be added those of foreign countries, as well as all the standard works on subjects connected with agriculture, horticulture, and the rearing of stock. For the accommodation of farmers and others who visit the Hall, catalogues are kept of the several manufacturers of agricultural implements and of the most extensive nursery men, also the cards of the merchants and dealers in the city who may see fit to furnish them.

JUNE.-1849.

THE AMERICAN FARMER.

A register is also kept, in which are entered the the same in due time; and we particularly call on names of all who desire to become members of an the ladies of the State to give such an exhibition association which offers mutual advantages both to of their skill as will do honor to our good old comthe farmer and the citizen. The Hall is under the charge of Mr. SANDS, Secretary of the Association, monwealth, and rejoice the hearts of those near and whose office of the "American Farmer" is imme- dear to them. Horticulturists, pomologists, florists, diately adjoining, and who will take pleasure in &c., are informed that the most ample arrangements inducting his country friends to all the privileges of will be made for their productions; and it is the the "Farmers' Exchange." In short, it is the intention of the Maryland State anxious wish of the Board of Managers that this Agricultural Society to make their Hall a place of department of the Exhibition should be peculiarly agreeable resort for practical farmers and men of attractive. The deficiencies in the arrangements in science, by the collection of models of improved im-regard to these departments, last Fall, will be made plements, specimens of new varieties of plants, ample amends for. The exhibitors of Fowls, &c., grains and fruits, and of everything that is rare and interesting, to form a cabinet at once attractive and are referred to the report of the Committee having useful. It should be gratifying to the friends of that department in charge last year, wherein they agriculture to know that such a measure of liberal recommend that suitable coops be prepared for their and enlightened policy has been adopted, and that it exhibition, which will add much to the beauty of is in the hands of some of the most intelligent and the scene, and to the exposure of the plumage and worthy men of our State-men who lack neither the ability nor the zeal to accomplish the ends which general appearance of the birds. Reference is also they have in view. Agriculture, the first interest of advised to reports of other committees, which may the State, the interest upon which all other interests be of advantage to exhibitors at the next exhibition. must, in a measure, depend, has been too long neglected, and we are pleased to observe that the people of Maryland are awakening to the necessity of a change of policy in a matter of such vital importance to their future prosperity.

THE QUARTERly Meeting of THE STATE SOCIETY was held at the Hall of the Society, on the 2d and 3d ult. Although the number in attendance was very respectable, yet it was not as large as could have been desired, owing, no doubt, to the very busy season, most of our farmers being behind hand with their work, in consequence of the unfavorable weather throughout the winter and spring.

GLOSSARY.

By Dr. HIGGINS, State Agricultural Chemist.
(CONCLUDED.)

SULPHURIC ACID, familiarly known as Oil of Vitriol, bears the same relation to Sulphur as Phosphoric Acid does to Phosphorus, it being formed by the union of Sulphur and Oxygen.

With Bases it forms a numerous and interesting class of salts, called Sulphates-common Epsom Salts is a Sulphate of Magnesia, that is Sulphuric Acid united to Magnesia. The well known manure called Gypsum is a Sulphate of Lime, that is, Sulphuric Acid united to Limes. Sulphuric Acid in combination with some Bases is found in all fertile soils in the ashes of plants, and is necessary to the perfect development of plants that are used for food, as without it blood could not be formed in animals.

The proceedings of the meeting will be found on another page. The list of Premiums has been arranged, and the Judges appointed to examine all It therefore has a two-fold action as a mauure, one in articles presented for exhibition and competition at the next Fair. As ample time is now allowed supplying plants with nitrogen by fixing the Ammonia of the atmosphere, another in furnishing by its decomposition for those wishing to become competitors, to prepare sulphur to growing plants. The way it acts in fixing for the same, we trust that the excellent spirit which the ammonia of the atmosphere is as follows: the is abroad among the farmers and those connected ammonia in the atmosphere is in the state of carwith them will induce a far more extensive exhibi- bonate, in which condition it is extremely volatile, tion than the first, imposing and respectable as that and when brought to the earth by rain, dew or was acknowledged, on all hands, to have been. The snow, soon flies off into the air again; but when it comes into contact with Sulphate of Lime, the Sulfirst was considered as an experiment; and many, phuric Acid leaves the Lime and unites to the amwho were uncertain of its success, refrained from monia, changing it from a Carbonate into a Sulphate making any preparation for an active participation in the Sulphate is fixed and not volatile at common temperatures, so that it remains in the soil, to be the same, fearing that their labor would be in vain, used as food by plants as they require it. but regretted afterwards their want of faith. All such will, no doubt, be anxiously alive to the subject hereafter; and, as the presiding genius of last year will be over the operations of the present, all who may feel disposed to bring their quota to the general stock, will find the most ample arrangements and accommodations for the occasion. As we shall have occasion hereafter to allude more particularly to the various matters connected with the exhibition, we we will now only add, that we hope those who intend to send any thing to the Fair, will prepare for

Gypsum is formed in Gas house lime when it is exposed to the atmosphere.

With

MURIATIC ACID is commonly called Spirit of Salt, because obtained from common table salt. Bones it forms a class of Salts called Muriales.

HYDRO-CHLORIC ACID is the same as Muriatic Acid, and is formed by the union of Chlorine and Hydrogen, its salts are called Hydrochlorates.

CHLORINE is a yellowish green colored gas. A very important property of Chlorine is its bleaching power, all animal and vegetable colors being speedily removed by it. Another of its valuable properties is its ability of destroying all con

MAGNESIA is the oxide or rust of a metal called Magnesium. It exists abundantly in rocks and some limestones, in all fertile soils, and in the ashes of plants, being one of their necessary constituents. The "white oak" lands naturally contain it in sufficient abundance, hence no magnesian or Schuylkill lime (which contains from ten to forty per cent. of magnesia) should ever be applied to them; other soils are deficient in magnesia, and for such these This conclusion is in perfect accordance with. limes are preferable to all others. Its application is every rule of logic, and in conformity to the plainest equally as essential as lime, bone dust, or any other sub-rules of common reason and common sense. stance, to soils in which it may be deficient.

would have been produced, and the cost of the lime and the labor of applying it would have been equally thrown away. What is true in regard to lime is equally true as regards any and every other necessary constituent. The above cases are not merely hypothetical; instances have occurred of both kinds, and will again occur unless chemical analysis, the means, the only means, by which this necessary knowledge can be obtained, be brought into operation.

This difficulty may be met by applying a manure containing all of the necessary ingredients; but is it philosophical or economical to purchase and apply a manure containing ten or twelve different substances, when but one or two may be required? May not a manure even containing all of the necessary constituents be to certain soils a very dear manure? Is it not much dearer than only to apply what is needed? There is certainly all the difference between the two cases as there is between a person wanting a vest and buying a whole suit of clothes, and another buying only the vest.

One going to work a farm and having already partly enough to carry it on, would act as wisely in buying everything, instead of that only which he needed, as one in buying such a manure to apply to a soil which was only partially deficient in the necessary constituents.

tain inorganic constituents, which are ever present in them, without which they are never found. These substances then must be deemed necessary to their growth, as a something without which they cannot exist, because they never have been found without them. We have no other rule to judge of the necessity of one thing to another than this: that it is never found without it-that whenever we find the one, there we invariably find the other; no single exception ever occurring. Thus we find that when two pieces of iron are heated and beaten to- Persons of the highest intelligence cannot tell the gether, they become welded; a certain degree of composition of the medicine administered by their heat is always present when this can be done, and physician, sometimes composed only of a single inwe conclude that the heat is necessary to the opera-gredient, though in the habit of taking it all of their tion. It never has been done without the presence lives; how then can they tell of the composition of of heat, and we necessarily conclude that the heat the soil containing ten or twelve different ingredi. is of absolute necessity. Again water at certain ents? Unless they know what and how much is temperatures becomes converted into steam; we present, how can they know what is absent? Unless must and do believe that heat is the cause of they know what is absent how can they know what this conversion, for without it water never be- to apply? comes changed into steam; heat then is necessary to the existence of steam, because they always co-exist. Equally constant is the presence of certain substances in plants-equally true must it be then that they are necessary to their existence. Wherever plants are found, these substances are found, and without them plants have never been discovered. When they exist in proper proportions in the soil, vegetation flourishes, producing fruit, "delightful to the eye and pleasant to the taste," and capable of supporting animal life; when they are absent or deficient, no verdure quickens, "no solitary tree takes root"-all is barrenness and desolation. I shall not now speak of the different proportions of these substances which different plants require, nor of the different proportions which different parts of the same plant need. It is enough for the present that there are constituents which they do absolutely want, and which they can only obtain from the soil. This may have one, two or more of these constituents, and yet be deficient in others, which none of those present can replace. Plants cannot flourish on such a soil, because they cannot obtain something necessary to their existence. Soils differ in different substances which they contain, (this is so well known to all that I shall not prove it.) If one particular thing was always absent, mere experiment might determine what it was by adding first one thing and then another, until the deficiency would become supplied, and the soil be productive. Soils originally have the elements of fertility in different proportions, and under cultivation become exhausted of different ingredients, entering into the condition of barren "worn-out lands." Will the most skilful agriculturist pretend to know what is present or in these barren "worn-out lands" by any other process than by repeated experiment in the application of manures or by chemical analysis? On the one hand this knowledge necessary as it is to the successful improvement of the soil, may be obtained by an expense which the increased crops will not repay; and on the other it will be arrived at before any expenditure is made, and with a certainty that every application will be profitable. It is known to many that five or six dollars worth of lime to the acre, has produced many successive crops, each one more than repaying the expense of the original outlay: In this case the lime chanced to be deficient, and was a profitable application; had it been present already in sufficient quantities, the land being deficient in some other substance, and consequently barren, what then would have been the result? No effect

A captain of a vessel would act as prudent in laying in all kinds of stores, when he already had an abundance of some, as a farmer in applying a manure containing all of the elements of plants to a soil which might only be deficient in some one particular element. Soils are never deficient in everything, they therefore never require everything.

The deficiencies which do exist can always be known by chemical analysis, and it therefore is the only certain, and at the same time economical, agency, whereby we can obtain the knowledge necessary to the improvement of a barren, or maintaining the fertility of a productive soil.

JAMES HIGGINS, State Ag. Chemist. Cambridge, Dorchester Co., Md.

A GOOD APPLE FROM THE CRAB. Our estimable friend and whilom correspondent, James Maygoffin, Esq., of St. Stephens, Alabama, has, it would seem from the subjoined paragraph, verified the truth of the theory, that good apples may be raised by successively sowing seed of the Crab Apple and its products. If his success has not established that other truth, set forth in theory, that the crab apple is the father of all other apples, it has at least established the fact, that it is competent to be the father of a very good apple. And now, as we have pen in hand, we will venture to ask from his accomplished pen, a paper upon this very subject, descriptive of the processes by which he was enabled, and the time it took him, to convert the "sour crab" into one of the best fall and winter apples in the Union." We make this request, because we have

"CHAPPELL'S FERTILIZER" vs. "STATE is composed of Azotized organic matter, including