The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1825-10-13
TMe PracticaA EarMAer.
run IMPROVEMENT OF AGRICULTURE.


The want of due estimation OF the pnr-
suits of agriculture, in many couh'r'es' -
Grand impeachment to its progress. =,
Where the cultivation OF the sou y -,
qarded with contempt, or as oehea.n Wv
attention of men Of standing and eauoa.ions
II will be entrusted to the mahaSe.nN ~
persons of narrow capitals, anu sui w :,
rover minds. Such prcjudices oPeI".se ~
various places. In almost every par VI ~.
United States they are fortuhaleY iap'oy
dissipating, and agricultural pursuits ~
.,;s.,.d ,s th.v should be, as the basis OF our
strength and prosperity, and there.o'e "o'
th,r II. attention of the wise and good.
Manv of onr citizens, who were distin-
eu;shed in the field and in the cabinet, are
now TO he found on their farms, devotihs
the;, time and attention to the occupation
of busbandrv. as the surest means OF gam
;np an honorable subsistence and OF dong
rood to the country, by thus encouraging ana
patronizing the first OF arts.
An idea: however, yet too generailv pre-
v.;ls that Young men and many OF those
who have fine landed estates, pust OF nc
cessitv. study and pursue some pubic pro-
fession, the pursuits of agriculture oeing 700
low and mean to engage thsir Talents anu
attention. , 4.
Agriculture. when skilfully pursued, is
calculated to call into action every noble
and improved faculty of the mind. and IS
canable of being aided by the most interest
ing branches Of the sciences, and IN the late
improvements which it has undergone, IL
has been shewn, that some OF its most I'M
nortant principles are derived from, and are
illustrated bv chemical doctrines.
This objection, therefore, that young men
would have no employment Tor Their tai
ents and learning, were they to engage in the
pursuits of agriculture, is entirely grouhu-
less.
Iconsider the insensibhity of the maagni-
tude of the subject to be the greatest oosta'
Gle in the wav of advancement, wh,ch aS'i
cnltnr, has to encounter. The hrst pre-
naratorv step towards its Improvement IS t
satisfv the minds, not only of the fasAer, bu
of the community at large, that 1t is an OBJ
iect of primary importance-and not attain
able. in perfection, by mere farmers.
this be not accomplished, efforts to nitro
duce any thing like system, OF prlnc'pie
will, be arduous indeed.
Farmers are truly called by the wisest o
writers on political economy-"the pro
ductive class" whilst all others are Jnsti,
STYLED. "the unproductive class OF the com
munity." q.
1t is not necessary to cite opinions Q
proofs, from great authorities, to shew, tina
whilst able and intelligent farmers eniars
the mass Of property and wealth in the Sc
ciety in which they live, they also encreas
greatly, the public security and happiness
1t is observed at once by every one WIN
passes through country productive an
neatly cultivated, that contentment' lnora'
and exemplary submission to law ana goo
COVE .nment, are strikingly conspicuous
But in a district inhabited by a negligen
indoIent. and ignorant population, the pit
ture is disgustngly and even dangeronsl
reversed.
So that it behoves every good citizen, tt
his own security, as well as from motives
patriotism and moral obligation, to assist
furnishing the means Of warning the ne.
ligent, stimulating the indolent, and enilgl
tening the ignorant husbandman.