PROGRESS OF AGRICULTURE. 13

knowledge, and encouraging their pupils to plant nurseries of their own, as in many cases has been satisfactorily done. In other parts of Germany, the community and schools of every village are supplied with suitable nurseries, placed under the charge of the teachers.

In respect to the improvement of horses, it may be remarked that, in addition to the public studs, the societies hold annual shows, estab- lish horse markets, depôts for stallions, in several districts, keep well regulated and extensive pastures for colts, and also have race courses. The Society of Berlin, for the improvement of horses, publishes an annual report, a“ Coursing Almanac,“ and the general Stud Bock, containing the pedigrees of all the full-blood horses in Germany.

In addition to the societies before mentioned, it may be stated that there is also the Itinerant Society of German Agriculturists and For- esters, including not only members of Prussia, but those of all other German States. This society, now in the twentieth vear of its exist- ence, bears the character of a National Congress, Which investigates and discusses all subjects having a general scientific and practical tendency to the improvement of agriculture. At various points they have stations for experiments in agricultural chemistry, physiology, c., for the purpose of settling important questions proposed at thein annual meetings, which are held alternately in the principal cities of the confederation.

ENCOURAGEMENT OF AGRICULTURE IN THE UNITED STATEsS.

In tracing the progress of agriculture in the United States, let us revert to the condition of the country when frst visited by Euro- peans. Then, this art was only practised by the wives of the Indians, in limited areas of tobacco, beans, pumpkins, and maize, without the aid of domestic animals, or any implements, except clam-shells, the scapula of the buffalo, the antlers or horns of the deer and elk, and pointed sticks of wood. At this period, a large portion of the soil of our territory was charged with an abundance of humus and earthy phosphates, the accumulations of ages, from the decay of primitive forests, other vegetation, or of animal remains; and it is a question worthy the attention of agriculturists and political economists, whether there was not absolutely more wealth invested in our soil, in fertilizing matter, at the time Columbus discovered America, than there is at present above the surface in improvements and invest- ments of every kind. European settlements began, and civilization gradually extended, heralded by the sound of the woodman's axe and the crash of trees. As the country becamne more and more settled, considerable tracts, situated in what now constitute the Atlantic and Gulf States, were cleared, laid open to the sun, and converted into luxuriant meadows and fertile fields of tobacco, cotton, sugar-cane, and the Cereal grains. Meanwhile, most of the soluble phosphates and other elements of fertility, which originally existed in the soil, were exhausted by injudicious cropping, or from neglecting to return