Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-06-26

RICHMOND. JUNE 70.
! KANSACTlONS or THE. AGKICULrU.
RAJ SOCIETY OF NIRGv>fA.

Which several of the other arts are Hesitate.
On the other hand, when viewed prospective
~ II seems susceptible of almost infinite i'm
provement inthc variety. structure, aEd Shil;nl
adaptation Of its implements; in the augtnen
ration of its products; and IN the eiminutno
BY .,bor saving machinery, OF The numerous
exsences necessary 10 carry IL on, compared
with the multiplied means of defraying them.
Agriculture being the great laboratory ct hn-
man subsistence, as well as the prolific nurse
of every species OF domesticated animal, the
natural stimuli constantly operating 10 prOpe
her forward, are sufficient tn maintain pow
erful counter action of althose various causes,
which al different times, and IN a diversity of
shapes contribute to annoy and depresS her.
Sometimes however, they occasion her 10 sick
Ell aud 10 laneuish most dreadinlly; yet am
persuaded in most cases, il is rather attribute
bic 10 the supineness, apathy, or ignorance OF
her sous; perhaps 10 too great confidence IN
their own strength, than To amy real, intrinsic
powerin these causes to lI9nre her tar, without
her acquiescence. Sir X. Walpole has some
where compared the agricultural class TO
sheep, the mercantile and mechanic classes TO
hogs. The first, he says, always come quietly
10 be she, red a. often as you please bat touch
onlv brstle of the Others and the whole stye
II tu an iproar VI ould the cultiyatorS of The
soil only act together. as class, and take such
notice of every thing calculated to inlure
them rs they might take, nay they ought
10 take this sarcasm would cease TO be just,
aud many OF the uost serious obstacles TO their
success would not Oaly vanish, but never again
exist Much might be said on TINS view of the
subject, but tOi bear, lest il might raise some
other bristIes, even more eXcitabe than those
just alluded to; mean the bristles of the poll
ticians. with so many causesto hope, and so
few 10 despair, ii appears TO fne, that none OF
the enune rated obstacles to the improvement
of 0ur rural economy in general, and OF our
agriculture in particular are so formidable as
TO discourage the planters and farmers OF the
ancient dominion from the most jealous and
continued endesVors TO overcome them. The
time too necessary 10 effect this victory is far
shorter, than those who have never made the
al I.4En Al sesrtF,n nj n yAua
pie, the obstacle arising from the impoveriSh
meat of our soil, which ma! be considered, as
the most appalling of the whole, would be
found by those vino could summon only cour-
age enough TO make a beginning, very soon To
yield 10 lulicious use of draining and ncos-
ing, of the plaster, clover, maturing and
pioughlng. This is not mere matter of opin.
iou but ii is fact confirmed by the univ ersai
experience of all those, amounting 10 many
thousands, who have tried the above me thods
of improving the SOIL single Experiment
made last year by myself with plaster upon
corn, ploughed in as the land was broken up,
at the rate of about one hnshel to tile acre
produced in that short Time, an increase in tho
quaint ty of grain, ascertained by accurate
measurement, of nearly thirty per cent and
have heard OF similar results in several other
well authenticated cases. The above method
of applying the plaster, seems now generally
admitted TO be the best. single clover lay,
with one or two dressings of plaster, rarely
fails 10 increase the succeeding crop in a still
greater degree, than the one above mentioned.
reciaimIng exhausted lands, that many eXteu.
sive districts Of country may I've seen in
several OF our upper counties, which only "a
tew years bach, myself have known were
barren wastes. Yet soon as the efficacy OF
the plaster Was generally credited, these very
wastes were bought up with avidi;y and were
soon covered with luXuriant crops of grain OF
grass here Is this great encouragement too
which should never he foi gotten, in the appIi.
cation OF the several means Just stated for fer
iillZing the soil; that the inprO vement goes
tnt ID. .saf lat
erosion; the preparation for each successive
crop adding fully IN that ratio 10 the capacity
OF The soil Tor producing such crop Much
may be done IN this way by individual exer-
tton bat the most rational means of effecling
some real aud durable beuefiL 20 our rnral
economy seems to.be the formation, and stea-
"y, zeaious support OF agricultural societies,
10 be made MP Ill due proportions of practical
and bookiSt farmers, who have a real fondness
Tor tue avocatiop and who in this way alone
can become better acquainted, more tolerant
and charitable towards each other; and more
hk6lyto br'ug about an interchange of each
DINERS knowledge IN mode mutually benet1-
cal TO both. Agriculture in every European
country, It is believed, will be fonnd TO have
houtiShed much in proportion to the number
OF tie societies established for its encourage.
nIent. Much, II is true, must depend apon the
manner in which they are conducted but this
may generally be with safety confided TO the
intelligence, the views, and The obvious inter.
sStS OF the parties concerned. Some few hints
however, OF general nature, seem not rrele-
want 10 tle present occasion. The members
OF snCh societies should study their profession
Iiot only as practical art, hut as "a science :;
ihey should regard it too, not as d mere fash.
loh, but as tbs snTest, the safest road TO indiyi
dnai, as well as national happiness They
should encourage each other 10 write to col
itct from all quarters, well authenticated state.
mentS OF all such agricultural experiments as
promised 10 be useful to disseminate a knov
ifdee OF Them to keep II condensed register
q! their own modes Of culture with their re-.
suits, as accurately aud precisely noticed as
piactcdble and to use such other means AS
may tend 70 form a body of hHsbandrv for our.
serves instead OF being indebted TO foreipu
books, which often misead us, for most Of
"hat we know on this subject Lei me not be
understood here as designing to cast any zen.
sure upon the agricultural books of OtlIcr conn-
lIteS. There are many admirable ones cspe-
'tdlly III ont Own language. All meant was
Ihal we often deceive ourselves BY endeavcrinr
20 auOPl ~ every particular, without making
proper allowances for difference of soil, eli
il"te ana other circumstances, practices in
HuHpdhury recommended in foreign books aud
"n'ch wtthOut doubt may he perfectly " ell
d'apt'd 10 the countries for whose particnlny
"nr they were devised. Much good, [ think,
Higi also be dOue in our societies by cansin,y
"en executed models Of such approved mule.
nlth'S OF agriculture, as are not common TO be
''"t dhd distributed TO such persons. as would
10 nOst likely to bring them into general use.
icilnHi4ms for objects iudicously selected,
S"t likewise ala the cause considerably.
Haricultural societies jhus constituted aud
Gus supported, would not 0Hiy create a gene.
Id' spirit Of laudaDIe emulation between
s!elr own members; but would gradually dit
wi among The community az large, similar
va 10 excel Ii all those practices ~ hIch lend
10 adOrn the uOw almost naked bnsoyr Of our
hioiher earth with blossoms :ruifs and vcr.
,lufe to multiply our focks and herds: and
~ uediiZe NE promises Of b. Eucous God in
slHng Us land flowing with milk and bo
IL mn atcf g 4. .ft