Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-05-11

nisstateent Of the fact TO say, that our farmers ar,
generally ignorant foreigners have described them
In spite of all difficulties, they are surpris;nrIv ine,
igent Among them are 10 be found the first men i,
the State. Among them, is the venerable James Ma
diSon who thought II no condescenson preside (a
he lately did, the Agricultural Society of AIbc-
marie: aud is, 10 all ntents and purposes an IN,
GuStriouS pi';s.ina Farmer.
1T, Notwithstanding dscouragemens and obstacles O
formidable character, farmers are respectabe il
information and skill we may nationally suppose tina
they would excel if preparatory instruction was hes
towed them in the degree those vi o!Ioy
different empoyments No reason can be assigned VIII,
they should not be educated for the peculiar duties
their stations We have schools fer the soldier and Tho
SAILOR and the mechanic serves an apprenticeship to hi
trade-schools for the lawyer, DOCTOR legislator ant
statesman: let us establish them for the agTicuu isl
If il should not be thought eXpeden TO establish sepa
rate schools for teaching agriculture theoretically
practically, let US make it the duty of instr uctors
public and private seminares of lear ming TO cornmuu
cate to youth in the course of general Instruction.
knowledge OF the principles of this useful science AM
some experimental acquaintance with the practical! opc
raiions on farm. We shall then, and not till then
witness the good effects of instruction on that class
men, who are, and will be- the most viItuous j,
the community. Although in Virginia are careless
aud siothUi, every good friend TO his country mus
rejoice to see tie work of reform progressing among
our neighbours, who members of the family
states IL has been proposed, to establish an .qr,icvL
ttJat College in the neigbourhood of Boston, under the
auspices OF some eniighted men, Whether this college
has been established and is Unsuccessful operation
or not is unknown 10 te-4ssIer The regents of the
Oh'cershy NJ Ne,c York, about year ago. recommen-
ced the establishment of school of agriculture,
chanics aud the useful arts TO be connected with each
college on the Saten which popular lectures shou Id
! be delivered chemistry, agriculture and me-
chancs A worthy citizen has been using laudable
eloits 10 establish in Pennsylvania Agricultural i1s
tuoS, IN the plan CT those u the Rev Emanuel Eel,
lenburg at !Iofwyic, Berne in S,cR.crland. lie
says in letter TO Mr.. Felenburg in Oct 1925 THE
union OF religious, moral, scientific and classical in
struction In Institutions in lie country, which would
tyifl, those rapc Of
and practice of agriculture and rural ccono.;cbs on
the plan of Hotfwyle, in of our sister States is
deemed by many of our most distinguished citizens
great desider0tum ia tie u. Satesn These efforts in
different quarters of the Union, improve agriculture
are indications OF happy change taking place publ,
opnion The men who seek To effect this change art
inaorntorS, and will encounter prejudice and 90
position; but every enlightened wel-Iysher of In.
country say s-CIod Spce3 them.
Another particular in which VIC are deiicint is Ma
aur7nS. Every farmer has within himself the mean
OF improving his land to almost any degree. His wo K
ing beasts, pleasure horses, stuci, of all kinds-m
woods-tlie ofia of his corn wheat and other grains
tie proper distribution of his farm into shifts and sui
ferng nature 10 aid him by clothing the Earth witt
observation-disclosures Judicious poughing-ashes -narle
which abounds in many countes-the rich manure
found every where the traces of old fences and the
surfaces OF marshes and other parts of his land which
can never be brought into cultivation furnish mex
haustibe means of enriching his land. When we ado
TO these, plaster, lime and other uanures which are
cheap, it is truly astonishing that SO little effort is
made to improve our soil and give new life and yiro,
10 our wasted aud worn farms. On the subject o.
TnanurIns the reader is referred .4Jrator vaIua
Bile little book written by Col. John Taynr late of Ca
roline county, Va. This gentleman was in his native
State the Patron Of agriculture, and, in that charac
ter, the benefacor of his country. The manaremen
o! almost every large farm, in middle and lower Yir
glnla bears testimony, shape or other TO hi
talents and usefulness farmer. They who have no
adopted hs theory and practice, have derived benefit
from the PRONUNCIATION OF them. lie visonar,
theorst, who sought distinction by becoming the Eoun
der of sect wild and visionary as himself bul :
man of solid judgment. Facts were the firm ba sis o
all his reasoniDgs and experience his sure guide &c
truth To him the reader is referred for information
on manurng-thc necessity OF il, and the means and
manner OF it,
The constant cultivation Of land and taking from il
heavy crops must impoverish it, unless manures come
TO IFS relief Stnnlanis cordias must support anc
revive dropping nature. Some crops much more OK
austinS IMAM others; aud III proportion TO the tcndenc,
of the crop to exhaust the land should be the pains Ia
ken to restore and improve il. No farm can be ndi
ciousy cultivated, without attention to these things
| Another obstacle to Agriculture in Virginia is
he Of Stare 5o. No fact Is more susceptible o
clear proof, and has been more clearly proved
! Than that the labor of free cheaper and in a,
! respects better, than slave labour. practical illus
traion of tie truth of this proposition is, that ht
members of the society of Friends are generally
10 this slave holding state thriving and pTosncr-
GUS Pecuniary disresses and embarrassment,
are seldom heard of among them In an equal NUN.
Der of slave holders, there Will be found many too in
do!cnt 10 work, who have lived beyond their income
or engaged in wild specuations which have reduces
them 10 poverty. To the above unquestonable fac,
! add the foIlowing:-The members of the society @
Friends although they perform much manual Iabou
on their farms, are generally intelligent am
respectable than equal number Of slave holders be
longing to any other religious Society. These distn
gushing traits to he ascribed in a great measr
10 the single circumstance that the Friends will no
| hold slaves, or employ them as abourcrs
| We however have slaves, and must exercise sount
Judgment in tho and management of them and use
their Iabour-tfIa, is TO say cloth and feed them we'll
give them comfortable houses-give them REGULAR
and constant empIoyment-leep them in due subordi-
nation and treat them with humanity. mild treat
ment Is The best policy. The humane master reap:
most profit. But it is impossible, by ans system o
management, 10. place slaye.labour ON an equality
with free labour.
The spirit of emigration Is another difficulty, wit
which we have TO contend This is in part caused ty
and in part causes the languishing condition of agr