Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-06-19
TRANSACTIONS OF THE AGRICULTU
RAIL SOCIETY OF VIRGINIA.
TCONTINuED.l
3-PaRers communicated by Mr. james
GernPtt. No. /.

No 3-Papers communicated bv Mr. james
GsrnPtt. ...No. /.
The real friends of that noble and truly vital
art. Agriculture, must experience the most
heartfelt qualification at the general impulse
which seems in some way or other 10 have
been recently given to agricultural effort. Per
laps II would be doing 10 great service to the
cause were we to pry too closely into the
cret springs OF this impulse, lest we mig ht dis
cover that fashion, or something equally versa
tile and capricions had full as great share in
exciting il as any more general and stronger
conviction Gifts necessity at this particular
period than what has ever before been felt n
mongus. BE this as il may, all those no view
agriculture the chief basis of national as
we'll as individual prosperity should be willing,
i think, TO avail themselves of present appear
anCes, and ITO use d homeIy phrase)" should
strike whilst the iron is hot" Let each exert
himself i'll tie mode whch he may deem best
with an activo, peTseveriDg zeal, and the force
of this impulse may not only be increased at
present, hut permanently augmented, altho' il
may have originated in causes ofan evanescent
nature.
We all know and feel hut too sensibIy that
our agriculture is at this time most deplor.
able state but the who would content
himself with saying that we suffer, because il
is so, might very property be answered as San
chO replied TO his master, Don QulXOte's con-
solutions, after the disastrous Drawing advcn-
ture; " in faith, master of mine, to tell me that
| am panied because beaten, is no great mat
ter"
The only enquiry which seems to promise any
material benefit at this time, is, now all this
has happenedl for when once we know the
causes of orr disease, I'VE are frequently mere
than half way towards the cure. Bat the pre-.
sent depressed condition of our agricultural
people rs malady OF so complicated nature,
produced and aggravated by so many different
causes, some of which arc almost beyond our
control, that for such TyTo in practical farm
ing as myself TO promise full Development
Of them all. would be an evidence of pTesump.
tuouS hardihood nearly equal to that ola young
dandy who should attempt to obtrude himself
on society as an accomplished physician, ~ en-
his whole preparation had consisted in three
months drug grinding ia the Ancient DOmini.
on, and half sessions attendance on the me
diCal lectures in Philadelphia. An attempt.
however, shall be made 10 ascertain some Of
the most deeteriOus which IL it has no other
effect, may at least, it is hoped, elicit similar
communications from some Of our brother
Inembers, who have both more experience and
more capacity for the task.
One oftho worst, il is believed will be found
among the propTietors of the soil themselves,
and those whom they employ mean their
overseers. Its opinion too fatally common,
that almost amy kind Of tw0legged animal in
the shape Of a man, with barely sense and loco
motion enough to perform that oId.fashioned
operation called fOggiHg to tell one kind of
grain from another; and 10 find his way ith-
ont guide to the next market town, has intel.
lect to make planter, farmer or overseer. No
sort of preparatory education. no previous
training, no kind efjourney under per-
sons already skilled in the art no natural pre-
ference for the avocatioB, is either loo ed for
or expected; but a man is frequently plunged
slap.dash into the culture Ct the soil where lie
is required TO succeed without knowing and
often without capacity TO know, any one
thing necessary to insure success. IN al the
liberal professions, with the marvellous cxcep-
ton Of politics, (Which requires more diysrsi-