Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-06-01
Rural ECONOMY.
From Mes Week,y Reg.ster.
REAL INDEpENpENcE.


REAL INDEPENDENCE.
The following excellent paper was read be
lore the Agricultural Society Of Philadelphia, in
February, ISIS. and will appear in their Sd vol.
OF transactions, which is now in the press.
The sentiments contained III this paper would
always deserve the serious attention of our ag-
ricultural fellow citizens, but they are more
particularly worthy of considerations at the pre-,
sent time, VIXEN, owing 70 the war, the prices
OF various articles hitherto deemed of the first
necessity, are necessarily much higher than u
sual
Observations on fhe Proprie.y efa farmer Eving
on the produce Of his ovn land, By Tanaes Til.
ron, III D.-Read FED. 8, 1918.
BELLEvuE, near Wilmington, Del.
Dear Sir.
have to beg your pardon for emitting
10 contribute TO the useful iabors oil your agri-
cultural society. In return for my negligence.
propose TO entertain you with subj, CT entire.
iy new Mnltitudes of writer's instruct us how
to raise corn. cattle. &c. but find none, of mo-
oerh date, who inform the farmer how to live to
the greatest advantage, on the produce of his
plantation. shall attempt this interesting
SUBJECT. with this single apology. that Ihope
you Will not accuse me of vanity or egotism.
from the frequent reference to myself. since
declare to you that my Objects to convince nv
Fellow farmers, the opinions and advice give
Are As practicable, as they are reasonable and
pron.aD'e. inoeed, lcannot communicate ideas
tnat have been strongly impressed upon nv
mind better, than by Interviewing some history
OF my domestic economy, since became far
Mer' together with the advantages resulting
therefrom.
Whea resolved to retire to my little planta.
ton OF about 90 acres, it was natural to cast n
.ou'' amongst agricultural authorities, Tor adj,
vice ana instruction. AS remarked above,
round many to advise me in the production of
gram, stock, &c but Virgil alone how to eat and
drink. Besides regarding his Georges as
standard OF agricultural science to this day, 1
was led To consider his Ecogues as recommend
ing agricultural lite, from The superior cap,ci.
~ Tor enjoyment it gave to its votaries, above
AL other employmsnts and, at the same time.
ssrecommendingit 10 husbandmen, to avoid the
iuxuries of the day and live upon the produce
OF their farms. The beauties of the poet are.
m my opinion, surpassed by the wisdom of the
philosopher In that memorable invitation of
nis friend to supper. hear him sing
--sunt nobis militia poma.
Nastan@ molles, ct pressi ctpia lactis''
-, Inc liberal translation we used to give this
Dill OF fare at grammer school, was, we have
mellow apples, boiled chesnuts, and plenty Of
-Furas and cream. volume might be written
on ills single text. I will ONLY remark. that
Roman empire, when the luxury and extraya-
Sahce OF that people surpassed every thing that
ever happened before or since and yet this
sage patriot advises, in manner the most per-
suasive and delightful, to live on home produce.
In this bill Of fare no foreign luxury is men>
Toned but only the delicious productions Of
Mantua
Have we not occasion Of similar advice in our
days and oh, my friend, that we could employ
the same influence for the best classics agree,
that macaenas the proud minister of the pow
erfui Augustus, thought himself honored by
Virsips invitation.
Independence has been the theme Of descant
from the days OF l776 to this time. During the
revolution, independence of government or self.
government, as it was emphatically styled, was
the rag, from Georgia to Maine At present.
an equal zeal appears for independence in our
clothing. And, yet, strange to tel, few or nca-
OF us think OF eating and drinking independent.
~ Is 1t not q Thousand times more ridiculous
10 send to the East and West Indies for break.
fast and supper, than to Europe for clothing
1t would seem il We were SO constituted as
to admit but one subject at time, into our
heads, and that one of dire necessity. We are
compelled to make our own clothes and PROV.
dence may in compassion to our weakness, by
cutting us oil from foreign iuxuries, oblige us
TO eat our own better victuals. All good men,
like Virgil, will be forward and early in pro-
noting reformation, equally important in pri-
vate economy and public policy.
Whatever apology the inhabitants Of cities
and towns inay have, for their obstinate sdhsr.-
. elBo tea, coffee, &c. surely farmers have none.
farms furnish much better food, and at
W. Low then are we to estimate the
le ocean at an expense and
~ the sole purpose OF in.
krty