Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1822-08-17

DEIiNEHE BY Rufus PEIIlBONE. Esq.
= TO the 81. Charles agricultural Soicety.
(Concluded.)
There are some persons, who oues-
ton the utility of agricultural societies.
The best argument in their favor, is, that
wherever these societies have been form
ed, agriculture has uniformly been i'm
proved. Sd'he face of the country has
been changed, in SO much, that the pass
ing traveller has been enabled to say,
without any other information than what
the appearance of the farms presented,
Here is the seat of an agricultural So
clety."'
The advantages of these societies are
numerous and evident. They naturally
excite spirit Of ambition, Of enterprise,
and of rivalship. They difuse know
ledge among the people upon agricul-
tural subjects They promote neatness
in husbandry. They introduce many
new Improvements, in seeds, plants,
trees machines, tools, and farming ulen-
sis, in the breed ofdomestic animals, and
in many other things which individuals,
alone, could not or would not introduce
They lead to an inquiry into the science,
'as well as the practice of agriculture;
and in that way not only promote the in
teresi and happiness Of the farmers, but
their responsibility aud usefulness. |
hope | do no, address any member ofthis
society who would willingly be ignoran,
of The principles ofthat profession which
hp hac rhnccn. hc, ,ua,,lI k., taJ
to follow the plough, as ignorant as the
OK that draws il, OF one of the most
beautiful, pleasing and useful sciences,
that can engage the attention OF the hui
man mind.
When the mind is once opened to be-
hold the beauties of this science, the re-
gions OF fancy and poetry appear far less
delightful. Ii un(olds riches which can
not be counted and pleasures that ne
Yer saiia'e. 1t cannot be expected that
l should enter into the mysteries of this
science on an occasion like the present.
My only hope is to induce you to study
it for yourselves. 1t is calculated, not
only to make you wiser, but better.
1t is peculiarly natural for The mem
bers of a society Of this kind, when con-
vened at their public meetings or at their
cattle shows to communicate freely up
on those subjects, for which they have
met-to relate to each other their expe-
Fence and practice on agricultural sub
jects-and to introduce 10 the notice of
each other, every new improvement Or
discovery which they may have made
Different opinions will prevail-debates
will ensue-s'Yd the mind will be stimu-
lated to inquiry and examination. And
4 when the mind is once stimu 'ated to in
4 quiry we may calculate on improvement
as certain consequence.
n There are many subjects intimately
connected with agriculture, to which
their minds viii naturally be Directed
and on which they will mutually aid and
L improve each other, in proportion to their
tastes, and the inclinations OF their mind
are various. One will have taste for
Botany; another will unfold the uses
and importance of Chemistry; another
will give you letter on general policy.
The attentive and observing husband
man becomes, as a matter of course, in
some measure Botanist. As he sur
veys his fields he cannot fail to discover,
the beauty, the order, the harmony, the
skill and continuance that prevails in the
vegetable kingdom-thc nice adoption Of
5every part, to answer the end for which
b it was designed. He cannot fail to see
and acknowledge the benifcence Of Del
Mty, who has furnished such ample pro-
fvision for our support. His hear, can
mot fail to glow with gratitude, when he
Eoonsiders tina. God has not limited his
Sgoodness to the supplying our wants
but has clothed all his works with ten
Thousand supernumerary graces, to adj
minister to our pleasure and happiness.
fThe eye which is necessary only to d.
irect our way upon the face Of the earth,
ifslmet on every side with the richest CO.
Klors and the most pleasing prospects,
EThe ear which is merely necessary to
fcnsble us to carry on conversation, is re-
sga1ed on every side with music and the
Smost pleasing sounds. Theswect warb-
Hing of the feathered songsters salute the
lcars of the farmer as he proceeds in his
Dorning and evening tolls. Even the
whistle Of the ploughman, the song o.
I'D milkmaid, and still more the swse1