Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1824-03-25
ADDRESS

N A. I'm IL - y
Delivered by the Hon. Hugh Holmes, Pres-
Gent of the Frederick Agricultural Society, At
their meeting in Winchester on the Orb inst.
1t is subject, fellow citizens, of
graduation, to mark the spirit of EN-
uiation, manifested at the last meeting,
in competing for the premiums dstrib
uted for the first time, by our society
Ii, in infancy of our Institution, such II
spirit has been awakened, what may
we not expect III its progress to nstu
riiy, and the eXcrtion of its energies to
proven. that spirit from slurlbering in
% the torpent state in which we found
ii at our announcement? As we are
bound, collectively and Individually.
by the ties OF patrio ism, benevolence
and philanthropy, to encourage and fos
ter improvements in agriculture, and
the arts connected with it, So we have
incurred responsibility to the public,
to use every exertlon. tending to the
fuIflment of these objects. Agriculture
was the srst employment OF man, coe
val with his creation, and by com
.rnand Of God, who required him to
subdue the earth. Is it net, then, a
holY office in which we are engaged ;.
aiding and assisting in this great
work, commanded to be done, by di-
vine authority? Although thus fortif
ed, we do not claim for it a superiority
which will DO injustice TO other employ
ments, sprlnglng, in the progress of
society, out OF its density Of population,
and natural advantages for acquiring
wealth. No, We seek only an ancil
larry association with commerce and
manufactures, preserving an equll
brium of interest, so far as COVER
ment holds The balance, Without far
Their touching the question which seems
now to agitate our national councils, L
will proceed TO present "a few ideas
more Immediately connected with tie
object oflhis address.
Curtalllng the expense of tTanspor
tation of crop TO market, adds TO the
neat value Of that crop, and also to the
sod which produces it. Whatever
may be the facilities employed, either
turnpike roads or canals, a reduction of
one half of the present price of carriage,
where such conveniences do not exist,
may fairly he estimated to follow. A
well cultivated field OF wheat, may pro
duce twenty bushels, which will make
four barrels of flour, the carriage OF
which TO market, from this Valley will
&c at least 81. SO cents, per bar
rel. Butthe reduction ofone half, from
the Improvement of roads or canals, is
rs cents per barrel; therefore there
would be a saving of three dollars IN
the carriage Of the produce ofthis acre
to market, to be added to instead OF be
ing sublracted from its present value,
thus proving the first branch of the pro
position.
The saving of three dollars per acre
annually ,'adds' to the value of the cul-
5iuatea acre, that sum Of which three
dollars is the interest, viz. $50 But
ifthis seems to be an incredible result,
(and il is admitted 10 be so, as it re
CARDS the entire tract or plantation.)
strikes off five sixths for the idle shifts,
varieties of crop, and woodland, and
there will be left 1888 per acre, ad-
ditionai value to the entire tract Thus
it will be seen, gentlemen, how the
functions of the arteries and veins Of
the human body, contributing to It's
health and existence, correspond with
those OF roads and canals IN the body
polite, preserving its salutary. state
and yet we have hitherto preferedto la
Dor under a consumption Of nearly
onetourth of the product of farms, sooner
than incur a present evil, for distant
good, by beginning the great work OF
improvrment. Wh"n interest, because
Sndirect, ceases to be the impulse to