Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-05-08
ron THE Cossr1rar1ovAL WING

nations.
FoR THE CoNsr1TaTIoNAr WING.
VIRGINIA IUSBANDRY-No l.
Agriculture is certainly in a low state in yirr;oi,
This said in reference 10 the general condition of
the country, and does imply a denial that there
are many most respectable and s1ilfu farmers among
Foreigners of distinctions who have visited this State
have spoken in the most extravaganza terms of the ie
norahce azness and poverty of the Agricultural Class
OF the community Some OF eir pictures of the coun-
Try are frIghuu csrIcatures, but nevertheless have
strong traits ofresemblance to the orig inal
We have many advantages-advantao which in
vie us TO press forward, and excel in Agriculture
Commerce ~ Manufactures. Virginia has fine ha,bors
and large navg able rivers-she has rich lands well A.
dapted TO the growth of Tobacco. Corn Wheat. Bar.
ley, Oats, and Other grains Flax, Hemp and Cotton
She has lron Coal and Lead mines, and is well sup
Piled with valuable timber Land, here is generally
cheap-The people intelligent, Industrious free
from bnrdens1me taxes, and the farming portion of
them the proprieors of the soil which they cultivate
and the government life liberty and propertv
One would think that, with all these advantages Com
merce and Manufactures would flourish and stinu-
late the parent art; yein agriculture do not thrive
AS we ought, or as our ighbours do.
Why IS IT, that we have renamed nearly stationary
In agriculture, for many years. whilst in the arts and
sciences and the learned professions we have rapdly
improved? Why is that the farmer is content TO fol
low the sters OF his father and grand father whilst the
enterprise of the merchant daily seeks new markets
and explores unried paths 10 wealth-whlst the me.
chanc lays aside the tools and Implements but vester-
day 10 general use, and resorts inventions and
labour-saving machnery-whist the lights Of science
direct all other classes of men improved modes OF
action Id their trades and occupations Many and va
rions causes have produced this unhappy state of things
some of which will be briefly noticed
The too low estimation in which the occupation of
the farmer is held has been an impeachment TO agricul-
ture Such have been the general opinions and wish.
this subject, that if men could make their sons
nothing else, they would make them farmers The
truth is, that there is employment time talents
and labour. more honorable, and certainly none more
useful than that OF The agricu urst. 1t more than anv
other gives rational independence ofcharacter and in
integrity of heart Dururng all the anable and noble
social virtues It, more than any other, ties to
happiness and usefulness 1t shews his constant
and hourly dependence the bounty ofprordence and
is peculiarly calculated TO fill his hear with love and
gratitude to the gver all good One of the British
Poets, speaking of the tendency of rural life TO cncour-
age morality, uses the following beautiful language:
"T.e simplest which nature S pencil draws
Affords morality. The sioping lawn,
Where nature sleeps upon the velvet couch;
The hill first favoured with Aurora's kiss
And lowiy vale, where plenty feeds her lambs
Convey their iessnns TO rejecting man"
An ancient poet has said, that, yhen Justice babe
adieu to this lower world, she left her last footsteps
.nong the hardy cullvaors of the soil
"Exrema perllns,
Juscia excedens ferris, vestiga fecit."
On the subject of the Importance of agriculture
very appropriate remarks may be found in The
a. Edition of the Edinburg Ency clopedia vol lS
part st page 205 agriculture said the of thai
arclel claims preemnes above Manufactures and
Commerce. from It's seniority and superior usefu
and, to expression of the celebrated Suly may
be regarded the breasts from which the State
lis support and nourisbment Manufactures and Com
originally owed their existence to agriculture
aud the people employed in carrying them on, must
con;tantiy be fed by those who engaged in the pa
rent art Agriculture therefore, may be considered
Of the FIST importance To mankind; because their
temporal welfare and prosperity depend on receiy ing
regular and sufficient supply of the various articles
cultivated by the agriculturis" Unfortunately we
do not think highly of the pursuits of Agriculture
the poets aud enlightened practical men have: but
greatly moderate This ennobng employment. Con
seqnently il languishes. The industry and enterprise
which ought TO have been employed in farming, have
been bestowed on less worthy objects
The too high estimation Of the learned professions
as they commonly caed and the preva iIn, de-
sire Of parents to educate their children for em have
produced injurious effects agriculture They, who
able to send their sons to college university
generally make them lawyers or PHI sicans. Consc
quenty these professions overstoclSed: and in al
most every county the State crowds of young
men, who are (nOminriy if nat reukyl lawyers and
physicians. Having been educated for those profess
sions, their habits OF thinking, and habits Of
life, in great measure disqaaify them for engaging
heartily in the suppose dull pursuits of the farmer
They surrender the management of their plantation
and slaves TO ignorant oyeTseersmore ignorant OF the
principles Of agriculture than themselves, ard
often ~ hout experience The present depression of
the farming interest, and the useless multitude of
employed lawyers and doctors, demonstrate the folly OF
every mans striving TO become lawyer or doctor.
The case with which men get into public office iu
Virginia, and the ipordnate love of Office and honors,
are mpediments 10 agriculture. Here. the road IS as
IL should be- open 10 every man. OF course many
travel it--upFortunately too many. Young inen Of
small property land who cannot afford TO lose time and
opportunity OF promotion IN their temporal pursuits
soon after they leave schools and colleges begin 10
seek the favor of the people and climb the ladder o
ambition. Their livesare devoted to politics, and ag-
ricultufe and other useful occupations are robbed
the talents which should adorn them. The community
suffers by this; for many men, who would have been
valuable citizens, If they had devoted themselves to
agriculture, have been drawn into the vortex of poll
tics, and lived and died, leaving behind them not
vestige of good done to their fellow
All the causes above mentioned have prodnccd {
distasis for rural lie, and the simple, uniform and nu
ostenatious duties of the iIusbsDdmau. 1t is strange
that the cultivation and improvement Of the earth,
the augmentation Of the means of human subsistence