The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-02-22

20 that uniform mode of cropping and exhaust
ing. Implements of husbandry have under
gone complete change for the better. Our
stock has received more attention, and increas-
ed in excellence. And the management Of
the dairy, to the credit of the female depart
ment be it said, has arrived to so high point
Of perfection, that the boosted skill Of Che
shire need not scorn a comparison with that
even of our own county.
For many Of these Improvements, we are
greatly indebted TO the establishment Of nu-
merous Agricultural Societies, or Associations,
in the various sections Of our country, which,
under the direction of intelligent and patriotic
individuals, have infused new lie and vigor
into this interesting branch of industry. But
much remains J~t to be accomplished; and,
although we have realized much from the
past, we have still greater things to hope from
the future.
There never was period, perhaps, when
the sons of industry had more cause to be en-
couraged; when so many circumstances con-
spired to promise them success. The spirit of
the times is peace. The civilized world begin
to turn with horror and disgust from scenes Of
bloodshed. The pubic mind has become
awakened TO more lively sense of the bene-
fits TO be derived from the peaceful pursuits of
20 promote the happiness of man, by improving
his physical condition. 4 spirit of inquiry has
gone abroad. Science has come forth from
her retirement, to radiate her light upon the
useful arts and all ranks seem animated with
an ardor for enterprise and improvement. In
our own country, not only have Agricultural
Associations been established, to extend inqui-
ry and advance the art Of cultivation not
only have books and periodical publications
been multiplied, to diffuse information and
enlarge our knowledge of this most interesting
subject; but grand schemes of internal i'm
provenent are daily going into successful ope-
ration, to facilitate the means of commercial
intercourse and exchange, and to give an ad
ditional value TO the productive industry of
the country. Circumstances like these are
calculated to stimulate the exertions of the
farmer, and to expand his views beyond the
narrow verge OF his own experience. Curl
oslty becomes awakened. New experiments
give birth TO new discoveries. Effects are
traced to their causes; and the knowledge of
each one is no sooner acquired, than it is cir
culated abroad, to become the common prom
erty Of all. The period. therefore, must be
near. when the art of husbandry, founded up-
on correct theory, shall be reduced to a sys-
tenn; when the farmer shall no longer be con-
demned to grope and plod his way, with moth.
ing to direct. save the traditionary practices
of his fathers.
Amid this zeal of inquiry, however, proiec-
tors may arise. Many idle speculations NAV
be entertained, and false theories yrunIuis At.
ed. These are incidental evils, that may be
expected to arise from free thinking and free
discussion. They are evils which have at
tended the progress Of the most accurate sci
ences, from the period of their first dawnng
TO that of their maturity. Indeed, every de-
partment Of life affoid instances. in which the
love of speculative refinement has involved
man in error, and led him from the straight
path OF useful industry. But, for causes like
these, all theoretical knowledge is not to be
condemned, or all inquiry abandoned. Prac-
teal skill alone ray be sufficient guide TO
the farmer, in conducting the ordinary details
OF his business; but, to enable him TO avail
himself OF every advantage which his situation
may present, to enable him to rise above eve
ry obstacle which chance or accident NAV
throw in his way, and prepare him for untried
difficulties, experience and speculation must
be combined.
Our speculations, however, upon the sub.
Ject OF Agriculture, will be in degree true or
false, as they are founded more or less upon
careful and extensive observation of facts.
10 this, as in every other subject, if false
premises be assumed, false conclusions are in
evltable. So far, therefore, as we can be-
hold facts, so far we may proceed with safety.
But he that becomes adventurous. and is no
longer content to keep IN Sieht of land and
explore the coast, but weighs anchor and sets
sail TO discover some other unknOacn aOOrid.
will soon find himself on wide perilous sea.
and in danger of being swallowed up in its
fathomless abyss. Errsrs in theory arise from
too limited knowledge of facts. more fire.
quently than from any mperfection in our
mode OF reasoning; and this is particularly
true OF the subject of Agriculture. Thus, the
doctrine, that the earth needed repose, or that
The land must have a jubilee or season Of
rest, and the still more ingenious theory of
full and his disciples, thai the plough alone
would invigorate the exhausted powers of ma
ture, are errors in hushandry that could pro-
&c only from a too imperfect knowledge of
The character oil soil and the economy of yeo
citation. II had been learned from experi.
ence, that land would not endure the same
tillage, and yield the same crop. wear after
year; therefore, it was concluded. trat Il
must lie fallew il order to be recruited and
because il was discovered that the plouob
would do much, it was hastily inferred that il
might do every thing. A more extended
knowledge offacts has served to explode such
errors. at the present day, by a rotation of
crops, our land is made to yield perennial
harvest; aud we have learned, thar TO re-
store wasted and impoverished soil. manure
IS as powerful an "Sent in the hands of The
farmer as the plough.
,Letnot the farmer imagine, however, that
every isct is TO be learned from untaught ex
perieace or observation alone. Many impor
TAM facts lie hidden and concealed, and re- |
Soire the aih Of the sciences to detect them. |
IN the art OF husbandry there are, to be sure. |
as IN every other art, certain axioms. which |
are OBVIOUS TO the most common understand |
lngs; me light OF science was not wanting 10