Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1818-01-13
The improvement Of agriculture.

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grand impedimentt to its progress.
Where the cultivation of the soil is re-
garded with contempt, or as beneath the at
tention OF men of standing and education, it
will be entrusted to the management of per-
sons oil narrow capitals, and still narrower
minds. Such prejudices operate in various
places. In almost every part of :he United
States, they are fortunately rapidly dissipa-
ting and agricultural pursuits are viewed
as they should be, as the basis of our
strength and prosperity, and therefore
worthy the attention of the wise and
good.
Many of our citizens, who were distn-
guished in the field and in the Cabinet, are
now 10 be found on their farms, devoting
their time and attention 10 the occupation of
husbandry, as the surest means of gaining
an honourable subsistence, and of doing
good TO the country, by thus encouraging
and patronizing this first of arts.
Agriculture, when skilfully pursued, is
calculated to call into action every noble and
improved faculty OF the mind, and is capable
OF being aided by the most interesting Bran
ches of the sciences; * in the late impro We
ments which ii has undergone, ii has been
shown,that some ofits most important prin
ciples are derived from, and arc illustrated
by chemical doctrines.
| consider the insensibiIity of the magni-
tude Of the subject to be the greatest obsta
Gle IN the way OF advancement, which agri
culture has to encounter The first prepar-
satisfy the minds, not only of farmers, but
ofthe community at large, that it is an OBJ
Iect of primary importance-and not attain
able, in perfection, by mere farmers. If
this be not accomplished, efforts to intro
duce any thing like system, will be arduous
indeed.
A Farmer should be considered by him
self, as well as by all other members of the
community, as one placed in situation 10
perform the most beneficial services TO the
public, by exercising a calling in which all
other citizens are peculiarly Interested
He may be personally no better or worse
than others. But the art in which he is
engaged, is the most essential of all others,
tothe general welfare ; an ait which should
be encouraged and supported by all manner
OF citizens. Agriculture having been not
only the first OF ats, in priority of time, but
the first of arts, in the estimation of the wi
sest and greatest men in every age, should
ever be deemed the first object, both of
public and private attention.
Power, especially that delegated by the
people, should extend its arm, and open its
hand, tor its aid and projection
Wealth should unlock its Golfers for its
ncouragement--science and every mental
requirement should be literally bestowed,
when instruction is required, as it always
has besn by the tillers oil the earth whose
occupation, in great degree ,secludes them
from opportunities of gratifying science,
knowledge, and capacity for philosophic
research. Commerce should yield TO the
support of agriculture, share of those
profits whereof it is the source and manu-
factures should besrow willing tribute to
the art on which their existence depends
Those who devote themselves to learned
professions, should render to il both hom-
age and contribution. Their usefulness or
gains would be small indeed, among shep-
herds and hunters-and those were, for the
most part, the employment of man, before
agriculture widely diffused its blessings,
and mainly contributed, not only to the civ
ilization, but to the happiness, wealth, sub
sistence, and safety of our race. Those
who minister at the Altar, and are our in
straciors and examples in our most exalted
concerns,are also bound to animate, instruct
and encourage the cul,iva,ors Of the soil
Many ofthem, IN other countries, have been
highly meritorious, both in precep, and ex.
ample, on this subject. And they peculiar
ly know, that he exercise Of this art is ven.
erable Tor It's sntiquiy--was enioined by
dlspensation OF Providence, and established
by an ordinance OF Heaven.
On US, whose happy lot is cast in free
county, the extension and announcement
Of agricultural proyement, is most i'm
pressively incumbent. Montcsouieu OBJ
serves, that " countries are not cul,iysted in
proportion 10 their fertility, bot TO their
liberty
II is observed at once, by every one who
passes through country productive and