Agriculture of New York

j<tJt'<^^>' ^- -' •^-''^"'-Xdii'..tr . 'SjyS'----;;-.:-.;.--... .-.aj^yi' '- - r iJM,;itr,4JV.: Southern Branch of the University of California Los Angeles Form L I Y-5 This hook IS DUE on ihe last date stamped below Form L-9-13wl0.'25 .Nl '"11- K„i-' 1.; lir-r \Y TViM PI n Cul' ©MADSIUS© ^AlFa ll3IIIi'llVlWIlD'^©Elf3<, OPHQlFaTIEKv 21o9 AGRICULTUEE OF NE W- YO RK: COMPEISINS AN ACCOUNT OF THE CLASSIFICATION, COMPOSITION AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE SOILS AND ROCKS, AND THE NATURAL WATERS OF THE DIFFERENT GEOLOGICAL FORMATIONS; TOGETHER WITH A CONDENSED VIEW OF THE CLIMATE AND THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIONS OF THE STATE. BY EBENEZER EMMONS, M. D. voiiU.ne III. ALBANY: PRINTED BY C. VAN BENTHUYSEN. 185L 5347 1^ \r o TO HIS EXCELLENCY HAMILTON FISH, Governor of the State of New-York. SIR, It has been the good fortune of the People of this Commonwealth to have elected those men to preside over its interests who were positively instru- mental in promoting science and learning, and who were especially active in promoting Agriculture, and the branches allied thereto. Your own re- commendations and influence, touching these great interests, are highly appreciated by the people, as is evident from their united movements in establishing institutions which are designed to bear directly upon those objects, and which are specially designed to place them upon a scientific basis. The subject matter of this volume, portions of which were submitted to your inspection, is eminently agricultural. As it was mainly composed during your administration, though not published, it is proper that it should be addressed to you. A variety of causes have operated unfavorably to its earlier publication, which I regret: still, I regret the more that it is im- perfect. I hope, however, it may exercise some influence in aiding the interests of Agriculture in this State. Most respectfully, your Servant, EBENEZER EMMOXS. Albany, Dccenitjcr 25, 1801. PREFACE. The five last years have witnessed a very great change in the system of fruit culture, as well as a great advance in the principles which lie at the foundation of Agriculture. This is seen in the call for agricultural periodi- cals and books. It is not now as formcrh^ ; a scientific agricultural work, ten years ago, would be excluded from the fireside of tlie farmer, because it employed names and words diflicult to be understood, or even to pro- nounce ; but now, we hear very little complaint on the score of hard names and technical phrases. Such works, too, were frequently regarded as theoretical, and as adapted only to a class of men styled book-fai'mers. It is now, however, conceded that books may teach the principles of Agricul- ture, and that the practical farmer may read and study them to great advantage. It will be seen that this volume is devoted partly to the description and illustration of the fruits of the State, and partly to llie principles of practical agriculture. In the part devoted to liuits I have at- tempted to construct a better classification than we possessed. I do not know how it will be regarded by the learned in this branch of culture. The classification of varieties is always diliicult, and when they are numerous, as in the apple and pear, it is increased. I may have failed in the applica- tion of the facts upon which my classification is based, for want of a full assortment of varieties; still, I believe the attempt to improve the cla.^siti- cation of fruits is in the right direction. It is due to myself to state, that many of the i)lHles were engraved before fruit culture had received its impulse in New-York; and indeeil a part of the work was printed before the best edition of Downing's work was published. Many difficulties and doubts have existed in ;Im' iniiids of some ol' our Pomologists, as it regarded tlie Iriic name whicli had been given to many varieties. That I have fallen iiilo error, in a tew inslances, is proba- VI PREFACE. bly true, ]\[ost of tlic figures, however, will be found correct in outline and form. I am, however, dissatisfied with many, especially those which were printed at an early day; circumstances beyond my control have obliged me to give to the public some plates which are unworthy of a place in the volume.* The fact is, both paper and printing are of that character that it was impossible to color the plates, handsomely : I inspected and corrected the proofs furnished me, and those were Avell executed; but it appears that the drawing upon the stone soon wore out, and hence bad impressions were often made, and which could not be converted afterwards, by colors, into handsome figures. I have also admitted varieties of apples which rank only as second rate : they are however good market apples. But there are other considerations than those of rank and value, Avhich influenced me in publishing so many figures and plates. There is a philosophical interest in those products of organized matter, wliich multiply and run into varieties. What are the efficient and final causes by which, and for which these productions seem to increase in kinds so astonishingly ? AVhat cause is opera- tive in the jiroduction of varieties ? Is it original endowment, independent of climate; or is climate a cause which operates upon a susceptible consti- tution ? I had in view, at one time, the exhibition of many varieties, with the view of contributing something for the illustration of these questions. I found, however, the questions beset with too many difficulties to be over- come, even in part, while engaged with the analyses of soils and vegetable products. In conclusion, I feel bound to express a regret that this volume could not have been issued at an earlier day. The subject of which it mainly treats has gone far ahead in the last five years; and what in this volume might have been regarded as new, and which might, too, have aided the progress of pomology, will appear as less valuable, and of less importance. I may, however, commend to the attention of farmers the general principles of Agriculture which are expressed in the last part of the volume, together Avith the investigation of the milk of the cow. I can not but ho])e tliese facts will prove generally acceptable. EBENEZER EMMONS. Albany, December 5, 18.51. TABLE OF COxNTENTS. CHAPTER I. ON THE FKUITS OF THE STATE. I, General remarks on the adai)tation of tlie climate of the State to the cultivation of fruits: 2. Change of views in regard to the importance of fruit: 3. Observations on the classification of varieties: 4. Scheme of the classification of apples, page 1-7. CHAPTER H. VARIETIES OF APPLES. Synopsis of the varieties, and description of summer, autumn and winter apples, 8 - 101. CHAPTER HI. GENERAL REMARKS ON PEARS. Blight of pear trees: Scolytuspyri: Blight from frozen sap : EfTectsof blight : Illustrations, 105- 113. Classification and description of pears, 113-147. CHAPTER IV. THE QUINCE, 148. CHAPTER V. THE PEACU. General remarks and description, 150 - ICO. CHAPTER VI. THE PLUM. Classification and description, ICl - 170. CHAPTER VII. THE CUERUY. Description of varieties worthy of cultivation, 171 - 178. CHAPTER VIII. THE GRAPE. Description of some of the most valuable varieties of grapes, 179 - 183. CHAPTER IX. GOOSEBERRIES. Description of some of the most important varieties, 184, 18S. Vlll CONTENTS. CHAPTER X. TUE CURRANT. Description of a few varieties of currants, 186. CHAPTER XI. THE RASPBERRY. Description of u fow varieties of the raspb'erry, 187. CHAPTER XH. THEOUETICAL AND PRACTICAL IIU.SBANDRY. General remarks: Offeree: Composition ami arrangement of the vegetable tissues: Niitrimeut of organized bodies: Circulation in organized bodies: Rotation of crops: Importance of supplying plants with proper food: Impor- tance of water in organized beings: E.xeess of water considered: Additional remarks relating to climate: Influ- ence of climate on plants and animals: Irrigation: On fertilizers— 1. The fertilizers which belong to the mineral kingdom; fertilizers iu which lime is a constituent, 2-35; magnesia and its salts, 2.'i0; soda and its salts, 254; of mixed saline substances, 258; wood and coal ashes; crushed and ground bones, 200: 2. Fertilizers from the vegetable kingdom, 2'il; green crops: 3. Fertilizers from the animal kingdom, 262; bones; fish, 2G7; farmyard; of composts, 273: Crops and their cultivation, 274: On the culture of the cereals, 276; culture of wheat, 281 ; bar- ley, rye, 283: Cultivation of potatoes, 284: Cultivation of flax, 280: Of hops, 288: Teasel, Madder, 201: Jeru- salem artichoke: Sanfoin; Celery, 292: Cultivation of tobacco, 293: Production of butter and Cheese, 188-299. CHAPTER Xni. ON THE FOOD OF ANIMALS. General considerations: The feeding of stock, S03: 300-308. CHAPTER XIV. CULTIVATION OF FRUIT TREES AND FRUITS, 309-312. CHAPTER XV. ON THE MILK OF THE COW AND THE SOLID EXCREMENTITIOUS MATTER, AS AFFECTED BY FOOD AND TEMPERATURE, OR THE SEASON, 313-336. REPORT ON THE AGRICULTURE OF THE STATE OF NEWTORK. PART III. CHAPTER I. ON THE FRUITS OF THE STATE. 1. General kemaeks on the adaptation of the climate of the state to the cultivation OF FET7IT. 2. Change of views in regard to the importance of fruit. 3. Observa- tions ON THE classification OF VARIETIES. 4. ScHEME OF THE CLASSIFICATION OF APPLES. The climate of New-York is adapted to the cultivation of all fruits which may be grown in a temperate zone. Beginning at Long-Island on the south, in a region where the finest peaches and many other delicate fruits acquire their most perfect development and flavor, and extending to the provincial line on the north which separates the State from Canada, we have, within these limits, several grades of climate and temperature which are suited to the most important varieties of fruit.

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