ings, to be held at other points. Fifteen members shall constitute a quorum for busi ness. Sec. 5.-This Constitution may be altered at any annual meeting by a vote of two thirds of the members in attendance, provided not less than fifty be present. The meeting then adjourned to seven o'clock in the evening. EVENING SESSION. Mr. HOLCOMB, of Delaware, made a report in favor of the establishment, by the government of the United States, of a Department of Agriculture. On motion of Hon. Mr. GENTRY, of Tennessee, the States were called in order, and the delegates came forward, signed their names, and paid the initiation fee. The following officers were then elected :— VICE-PRESIDENTS-Ezekiel Howe, Maine; George W. Nesmith, NewHampshire; Henry Stevens, Barnet, Vt.; B. V. French, Mass.; Jonah Chapin, R. Í.; S. D. Hubbard, Conn.; Henry Wager, N. Y.; Thomas Hancock, N. J.; Frederick Watts, Penn.; Peter F. Causey, Del.; W. D. Bowie, Md.; George W. P. Custis, Va.; H. K. Burgwyn, N. C.; Thomas Witherspoon, S. C.; Thomas Stocks, Ga.; R. Jones, Ala.; Alex. H. Begnes, Miss.; A. B. Roman, La.; F. Kinsman, Ohio; R. Mallory, Ky.; Dr. John Shelly, Tenn.; John L. Robinson, Indiana; S. A. Douglas, Ill.; David R. Atchinson, Missouri; T. B. Hurnoy, Ark.; James L. Congar, Mich.; Dr. Simmons Baker, Florida; T. A. Rusk, Texas; W. F. Coolbaugh, Iowa; James D. Doty, Wis.; Lilburn W. Boggs, Cal.; J. F. Callan, District of Columbia; S. M. Baird, New-Mexico; Alexander Ramsay, Minnesota; Joseph Lane, Oregon; Jos. L. Hayes, Utah. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE C. B. Calvert, Md.; J. A. King, N. Y.; Dr. A. L. RECORDING SECRETARY-Robert C. Walker. Mr. MCHENRY, of Maryland, made a speech in opposition to Mr. Holcomb's report, and to the principle of intermeddling, by government, with agriculture. Hon. Mr. GENTRY, of Tennessee, offered the following substitute for Mr. Holcomb's report : Resolved, That public prosperity and happiness would be promoted by the "increase and diffusion of knowledge among men" upon the subject of agri culture; and therefore the law providing and organizing the Smithsonian Institution ought to be so amended as to make an increase and diffusion of agricultural knowledge one of the principal objects to be accomplished by that institution. Resolved, That essays, lectures, and treatises on the subject of agricultural improvement ought to be published and circulated free of postage, and that the cost of such publication ought to be paid from the interest accruing from the Smithsonian fund. Resolved, That a committee of be appointed by the President of this Convention to prepare a memorial to be presented to Congress at its next session, in conformity with the above resolutions. Judge DOUGLAS made a lucid and powerful speech in support of the resolutions. Prof. HENRY, of the Smithsonian Institution, replied with much spirit. Judge DoveLas rejoined; and the discussion was continued by Senator RUSK, of Texas, until a quarter before 11 o'clock, when the Society adjourned to 10 o'clock on Friday morning. On Friday the session was continued, and sundry discussions were had, but as they led to no specific result the details are omitted. At half-past twelve the Convention adjourned, sine die. NEW BOOKS. A Pilgrimage to Egypt; embracing a Diary of Explorations on the Nile, with observations illustrative of the Manners, Customs, and Institutions of the People, and of the present condition of the Antiquities and Ruins. With numerous Engravings. By J. V. C. SMITH, Editor of the "Boston Medical and Surgical Journal." 12mo, pp. 383. Boston: Gould & Lincoln, 59 Washington street. 1852. Every thing relating to the subject of the above volume is of intense interest to the reader of the present age. The land of the Pyramids, the Pharaohs once so mighty and renowned, now so feeble and benighted; where Karnac reared its magnificently adorned and beautifully sculptured marble monuments, even now, in ruins, the astonishment of the present time; where ancient Memphis, the pride and glory even of that wonderful and gorgeous epoch, presented her unrivalled magnificence to the admiring gaze of the countless multitudes that thronged her stately corridors and stupendous temples; and where the vast catacombs of the mummied dead extend over the now desert plains; in these we read lessons of most thrilling import, that cannot fail to impress deeply the contemplative mind, and fill the soul with emotions almost too strong for utterance. These reflections involuntarily arise as we peruse the interesting volume before us-interesting in the detail of incidental and agreeable adventures of the author, who writes with vigor and effect, and whose clearness of description and distinctness of detail gives a vivid reality to all his descriptive efforts. We read Doctor Smith's letters from the East, which first appeared in the "Boston Medical and Surgical Journal," with deep interest; and now appearing in connected form, and in the publisher's beautiful style, we feel a double interest in perusing the elegantly embellished volume before us. In this work the author has written nothing merely for effect; his aim having been to give a faithful and reliable account of the country, customs, manners, and extraordinary antiquities of the country through which he travelled; and he has succeeded in giving to the public a work that all should, and we doubt not a large number will, read with instruction and pleasure. The Consumptive's Guide to Health; or, the Invalid's Five Questions, and the Doctor's Five Answers: A comprehensive Practical Treatise on Pulmonary Consumption, its preventive and curative treatment, &c., &c., addressed in popular language to nonmedical readers, and incidentally to physicians and students. By HAMILTON POTTER, M.D. Second edition. J. S. Redfield, Clinton Hall. 1852. 46 This little book, of 176 pages, treats of sundry diseases, such as those of the tonsils, uvula, larynx, &c., which the author says are frequent precursors of consumption." The questions, What is pulmonary consumption-how can it be prevented-how ascertained-how cured? are asked, and answered, at some length. Under the second inquiry, he prescribes cold bathing, air and exercise, suitable care as to posture, diet, clothing, regularity of sleep, sleeping apartments, &c., &c. This, no doubt, is good counsel, and would, if duly observed, save the lives of thousands. He also disapproves of tea, coffee, and tobacco, feather-beds (for invalids,) dosing with nostrums, &c.; all of which, save the tea and coffee, we suppose is beyond controversy. But we are not doctors, and are therefore inadequate critics in relation to much of the work. We are sorry to see, however, in the preface to the first edition, that the author “has hurriedly prepared this little work, during detached moments, snatched from his professional engagements;" for such "hurry" naturally indicates undue conceit of his own ability, or unwarrantable disregard for the lives of those who trust to his prescriptions. Human life is a thing not to be treated "in a hurry," when deliberation is possible. We should have a much higher regard for the book, and certainly none the less for the writer, had he said, This little work has been published only after mature consideration and careful deliberation. The author "cordially invites just and candid criticism," and we avail ourselves of this permission on the only point on which we are conscious of a disposition or competency to censure or find fault. New-York and the White Mountains: with a complete Map, and numerous Wood-cut Views of the principal Objects of Interest on the Line. By WILLIAM GUILD. BOSton: Published by Bradbury & Guild, 120 Washington street. New-York: W. C. Locke & Co., 135 Nassau street. 1852. A trip to the White Mountains has been long considered one possessing_greater attractions, and presenting more of the bold, picturesque, and beautiful of Nature, than can be realized from any similar excursion this side of the Alleghanies. This route, since the reduction of its distance by railroad-having been brought within a single day's ride of New-York, with every convenience and facility for enjoyment on the wayhas become one of the most fashionable and pleasant in the country. To add to the pleasure otherwise afforded, the above little work has just been issued, containing an excellent map of the entire distance, and wood-cut illustrations of the principal objects of interest on the line, together with about eighty pages of descriptive matter. The work may be obtained of W. C. Locke, the New-York publisher, 135 Nassau street, at the trifling cost of twenty-five cents. The Paper-Hanger's Companion: a Treatise on Paper-Hanging, in which the Practical Operations of the Trade are systematically laid down; with Copious Directions preparatory to Papering; Preventions against the effect of Damp on Walls; the various Cements and Pastes adapted to the several purposes of the Trade; Observations and Directions for Panelling and Ornamenting of Rooms, &c. By JAMES ARROWSMITH, author of "An Analysis of Drapery, ete." 16mo, pp. 108. Philadelphia: Henry Carey Baird. 1852. Our readers will at once perceive that the above little volnme is one of the valuable practical series of works on the various Arts and Trades, designed as Hand-books for practical men, and calculated to assist every one in keeping pace with the rapid progress of the times and the improvements of the age. The publisher has already issued "The American Miller and Millwright's Assistant," "The Turner's Companion," "The Painter, Gilder and Varnisher's Companion," "The Dyer and Color-Maker's Companion," "The Builder's Companion," "A Treatise on a Box of Instruments," and "The Paper Hanger's Companion" above mentioned. A more valuable series of cheap practical works cannot possibly be found in the country. Every artisan may derive something useful and instructive in his own department from these volumes. Stories of the Lord's Prayer, and other Tales. By the Author of "Edward and Miriam." 18mo, pp. 192. New-York: Robert Carter & Brothers, No. 285 Broadway. 1852. This is one of those little volumes that beget great results. To" train up a child in the way he should go," is the first duty of parents, and such works as the above are their very best earthly helps, as early incentives to duty. The various petitions of the Lord's Prayer are illustrated somewhat in the manner of Mrs. Sherwood's Tales on the Church Catechism, and calculated to fix the attention of children to the extensive purport of each. It is an excellent little volume, and should be placed in the hands of every child in the land; and as a valuable work for the Sabbath-school library, it is probably not surpassed. Descriptive Catalogue of Agricultural and Horticultural Implements, and of Machinery, Field and Garden Seeds, Fruit and Ornamental Trees, Domestic Animals, Fertilizers, &e., &c. By RALPH & Co., Union Agricultural Warehouse, 23 Fulton street, (near Fulton Market,) New-York. This efficient firm has recently published a pamphlet of ninety-six pages with the above title. The list is very large, including every variety of things needful for the farmer. Representations are given of all tools, implements, &c., and directions how to plant or sow the seeds; and, in fact, we can discover no deficiency. We have no doubt that a visit to the warehouse would satisfy all that nothing was deficient there. Plantation and Farm Instruction, Regulation, Record, Inventory, and Account Book: for the use of the Manager on the Estate of and for the better Ordering and Management of Plantation and Farm Business, in every particular. By a Southern Planter. 4to, pp. 126. J. W. Randolph, Richmond, Va. We have received a copy of this work, which is designed as a record of the daily service performed on the plantation or farm, with every item of expense for labor, cattle, tools, purchases of clothing, provisions, &c., &c., and of all sales, with annual and quarterly inventories. The form is concise and methodical, while it embraces every thing appropriate to such records. It is well executed, on good paper, and must prove very ser viceable to those for whom it is intended. OUR CORRESPONDENCE. CORN CULTURE-MR. DURAND'S MODE.To the Editor of the Plough, Loom, and Anvil:-The May number of the Plough, Loom, and Anvil is at hand, stored with its usual amount of interesting reading matter to the planter. In the present number I find a very interesting article on the 'Culture of Indian Corn,' by L. Durand. I read his article with much interest, as it treats upon one of the most important crops that is cultivated by the Southern planter, from the fact that it is almost the whole reliance of the cotton planter for his bread, and feed for horses and mules. I would be glad to learn of Mr. Durand his mode of curing corn after it is cut. I understand from his article, that he cuts his corn in hard roasting ear, without, or before pulling his fodder. Does he stack his corn immediately after cutting, or does he permit it to lie a few days before stacking? In short, I wish to know his whole plan of saving corn after it is cut. His answer to the above will be thankfully received by yours, &c., WM. M. BAGBY.-Hickory-Ridge, Marshall County, Miss., June 12th, 1852." Will Mr. Durand forward an early reply to the above?-EDS. AGRICULTURE IN VIRGINIA -Another correspondent from Dearborn county, Virginia, under date of June 1st, writes as follows: "We have now organized an Agricultural Society in our county, and, as the people take more interest, they will investigate the subject more, and wish to read more; hence they will seek the best authors, and I know of none that will suit better than the specimen you sent me." [The names of three subscribers accompanied this, with the cash.] PROGRESS OF MECHANICS.-I received from you, a short time since, a circular, soliciting my services as a contributor to your excellent Journal. Having a few moments' leisure, I will give a few general thoughts on the important subject which the name of your journal suggests, that of the Plough, Loom, and Anvil. As we look forth at the present time on the improvements of the age, we are often astonished at its rapid progress in the sciences and the arts, and we are led to exclaim, This is an age of wonders! Let us look back for a few years only, and contrast the past with the present. It was but a few years since that every thing had to be done by hand. The mechanic had to forge all his varied work with sledge and hammer. The manufacturer had to fabricate his cloth by the hand-loom and spinning-wheel. The farmer in like manner planted his seed, raked his hay, and reaped his grain by band. But now, by the aid of machinery, the mechanic can forge the most ponderous shafts and the largest anchors with more ease and at a far less expense than formerly. The manufacturer, by the aid of this powerful agent, lays aside the spinning-wheel for the spinning-jenny, the hand-loom for the power-loom; and thus, instead of coarse homespun cloth, we can have the finest fabric, and at a much less price. The farmer, by the aid of the horse-rake, the cradle, and seed-planter, can accomplish much more labor, with less help, than in former times. I will give you, by way of illustration, an account of a visit I made to one of the largest axe manufacturers in this country. It was in Collinsville, Conn., where some three hundred workmen were employed, turning out daily 1,000 axes. I arrived there in the afternoon, and found a village counting some 300 inhabitants, and all deriving their support, directly or indirectly, from the manufacture of axes. Entering the forging department, I was almost stunned by those ponderous trip-hammers, yet all was moving on harmoniously and systematically. Passing along, I came to the grinding department. They shave them off by machinery, and afterwards grind and polish them. Again, I stood in Lowell, and visited one of the largest mills there. It was the Merrimac Company's. I was informed by the Superintendent that this Company employed two thousand two hundred operatives in their various departments; and as I passed from building to building, and from room to room, I could but contrast the present with the past. During the past season I have visited the western portion of our own State, and have been much pleased with the improvements in farming in the counties of Worcester Middlesex, and Hampden.-Yours respectfully, JAMES ROBINSON. New-Bedford, (Mass.) June 2, 1852. THE CULTURE OF INDIAN CORN.-[We have received a reply from our correspondent, Mr. Abednego Robinson, of Portsmouth, N. H., in answer to that of Mr. L. Durand, of Derby, Vt., who objected to his statements in a late number of our journal. We give below all that claims to be new, in the form of statement or in the foundation on which his belief rests:] Editors of the Plough, the Loom, and the Anvil:-In perusing your May number, I notice an essay on the culture of Indian corn, by L. Durand, in which he frequently alludes to an essay of mine in your number for March. He seems to doubt the truth of my statements, without expressing any desire for information on the subject He has no faith, apparently, in anything but common practice;" and he recommends to me to look back into Judge Buel's pa pers, to find evidence that corn will not shrink if cut up when the kernel is just full and glazed. Gather a few ears and expose them to the sun and air, and test the question. Corn and grain are alike in this respect. One of my tenants would cut up his rye when full and large, until I persuaded him to desist, although, when it was threshed, we judged it had shrunk one half. L. D. suggests that I convey the idea that cutting up and shooking is the old method. I made no such assertion. I ad mit that the same effect is produced by cutting the corn up, and leaving the stalks on; the stalk robs the ear. L. D. makes another mistake. He says: "Then you have the land entirely clear for spring work, which is not the case when 3* corn is topped, as the bottoms are in the way and much fodder is lost." I have farmed it in New-York and in Pennsylvania, and farmers there always found a way to save their corn fodder in much better condition than letting it stand in the field until the corn was so glazed as not to shrink. L. D. refers to the experiments of Judge Buel, as indicating that corn increases both in weight and bulk, by cutting it up and shooking. But it seems a very singular mode of growing fruit, to cut it off from the fountain from which it obtains its nourishment. Must there not be some mistake in those experiments? Is there any difficulty in the perfect maturing of native crops, which are without cultivation, and in which the stalk always remains uncut? As a general rule, I have no faith "in half-hoeing," or in ploughing sward ground only three inches deep for corn. And here we agree. But, on burnt ground, a good crop can be raised without any hoeing. L. D. seems not to understand my meaning, in the article which he criticises, and I commend to him another examination of it, before he undertakes to refute it. 66 OURSELVES-INFLUENCE OF FOREIGNERS. -We have received a letter, bearing date May 25, 1852, from a gentleman in Alabama, from which, though not intended for publication, we venture upon giving our readers the following extract. The writer says: the Loom, and the Anvil, and the excellent I state that I have taken The Plough, work of its predecessor, from the beginning, and I know with great advantage in every respect. The splendid, and still better, prohighly estimated by every inquiring mind found investigations of Mr. Carey must be that really wants to know, not what party has the ascendency, but what is the truth. ity and candor is all-important to our counThe subject he discusses with so much abilside of Holy Writ, it is, that we have had try; for I believe, if there is a truth on this vastly too much to do with foreign nations; and if there remained any doubts of the mad excess to which our thirst for the productions, the fopperies, the extravagances, and, I regret to say, the profligacies of foreign nations is madly carried, an honest exposé of our commercial relations and intercourse would settle the question. "I have made exertions among our agri culturists to get this work circulated for public good, and shall continue them." LAND GOOD, BUT NOT INEXHAUSTIBLE— CROPS, WEATHER, &c.-Another correspondent, from Fort Snelling, Minnesota, under |