Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-07-11


,inia cultivation.
But, let our improvements be made; let the great
exporting towu Tor our STATE be within its limits;
ehen will there DC quick and e'cctua demand !
Tor all these products. Tho great exporting mer-
chants OF Norfolk will send their agents. as we have
already observed, UP our rivers, and will always be |
disposed 10 give the iaircst prices; the farmer can
suit his cultivation TO the nature OF the soil,
certain that whatever he may produce will find
alwaysa ready purchaser and even it does not,
still he knows the state OF tie y or!oiS market and
can rely it.
This state of things, then, will have most pow
criul tendency TO produce that division OF ahour in
Agriculture, the beneficial effects OF which Adam
Suiith has so ably pointed out, and along with il
an increased activity inirade Ii has been well OBJ
served by Mons. say, that products form the real
demand tor products. The hats clothes & food which
the shoemaker buys, must depend on the number
OF shoes which iic makes, ana rice Now,
il evident the more v,,nSnhc productshe great
or the activity OF interchange. And activity of
Commerce has slways been found to be the great
spring OF Improvement. But, let Us more re-
cur to fact 10 prove the Importance OF our deiuc-
tons.
Humboldt, (in his Essai poli,i1uc sur la Nou
vsllc Espagnc,) says, = doubt whether there ex-
lists another plant upon the Globe, which, upon SO
small space OF earth, produce such cOasii-
cradle mass Of nourish,ucnt, the Banana tree.
in a country eninen,iy fertile, the legal arpent
cultivated in Bananas, ct the large kind. can ncu-
iish fifty individuals, bile in Europe the same
dent will not yield i'll wheat, than enough.
tUr two indiv iduals 1t i cultivated, too al but
little expense. Yet strange 10 tell, he describes
those Banana districts % III poor, miserable
eiiion And the Spanish Co'ouist is often heard TO
repeat, 'hat prosperity can arrive in those dis
tiicts, bu. OH the destruction OF the Bananas"
Now, what is the real of the great III stress
which Is exhibited i'll these Banana district,
which would at first appearance seem to have the
bounty Of Providence lavished upon them, in the
fertility OF the soil? Ii is, most surely, 10 be as
rrbcd TO the want OF active Commerce, both
Al M n tla pt ,
market, the Banana alone, the staple ofiile in those
districts, will be cultivated, and that only in such
quantities as will supply the home, or even farl-
iy consumption. One of the great stimuli TO pro-
duction, is wanng the division OF labour does not
take place; and the farmer sinks into Incidence
and Indulgence, and becomes the listess, inactive
being of the moment
Thus il is, so often large districts Of co,.,
try, blessed with all the bounty OF Heaven and
yet remaining ill poverty and ignorance, its gene
raj concoinitant. The only way in which these
districts are 10 be awakened from their let!iargy,
Is 10 communicate impulse TO their trade, both
:iland and external. Commerce. is the great pana-
cea, the universal remedy, which will be sure to
remove all these bcsettipg evils from the body po
ii.ic.
Thus we see that the activity of trade conse
qnent the Virginia improvements will the bet
ter enable the farmer 20 suit his products TO the
nature OF the SOIL and Ills Will give rise 70 train
O! great and beneficial consequences.
Dutagain. change, from the same cause, may
be expected III the rotation succession OF crops
which will act as great Improvement in cu,iva-
ton. Experience has shewn, that almost all land
will deteriorate, when cultivated constantly and
exclusively, from year to year, III either corn,
wheat, or tobacco. Now, IN a sparSely populated
district, where these almost the only products
the rotation in crops can be made only in these ar
'icles; and hence, every third OF fourth year. the
land innst be rested, and tranpIed down Ly cattle
Now, the experience OF various parts OF the Grid
has shewn, that land may be kept in constant cul
tvation. and yet not tcterorae; provided proper
rotation Of crops be observed. Thus if we shall
cast our eyes TO Europe, shall find that the |
Valley OF the Arno, the extensive Plain Of Lom- |
hardy, some portions of the Banks OF the Rhine, |
the Carse OF Gowvie, Kept in constant cu,-
tva!ion, and yet have not worn out The whole'sc-
cret Of this consists IN the proper rotation of crops
There is no branch OF human industry that re-
guires more judgment, nor any on which tie pro-
ats of the farmer more depend, than the order in
which the several corps are made to succeed TO
one another And it has been laid down gene |
raj rule, that cu!iterous crops, ripening their seed
should not be repeated without the Intervention OF
pulse, roots, heritage, &c.
Now, this rotation OF crops will never be intro
duced, how necessary soeycr 10 a proper cul,iva-
;ion without market for subsidiary products The
farmer might lind IL advantage To Ais land TO
cultivate rye, barley, oats, peas and beans, pota-
toes, turnips, &c. but there Is regular demand;
ga good market ia the State for these products.
Hence, lie will not cultivate them: and the i'm
proved rotation in crops is .hus prevented.
But, when the imprCv ements OF Virginia shall
communicate an impulse TO every department. Of
industry; when an extensive market shall he fur
aisLed for all things i'll own STATE; then may
.ge look with Certainty Cor this beneiicil change
in tillage, but not TIL then.
Your committee will not onge! dctain you by 9th (,
er beneficial changes which may take place in the |,
Industry of the Lower Country; such as, tho great
quantity oflaboug which may be most advantage |
Ously employed in procuring fish and oysters from
our bays and rivers for the increasing market OF
;he West; nor with the manner in which the mer-
chant may be benefited by Tie division Of labour,
aud greater activity ot trade, flowing ii ON incTeas
ing capital and increasing population.
They will conlude this branch OF inquiry, !
by a mention Of the improvement of land. and |
ugh price which will be paid for it, III
consequence of rich merchants yesiiug their re-
tundant capital in the purchase Of country farms
The merchant in his mercantile operations, is |
always less at the mercy Of fortune. Il |
immense capitals in lp5 branch Of business be
quickly made, they be quickly lost. The rich I
merchant is, therefore, generally disposed to vest
a portion OF his capital IN some safe investment
that he may always have provision against the
Jay of adversely. Tie purchase Of land will gene
rally be his choice; he would like TO have farm
in the country, to which he retire during the
dull season OF summer, This Increased capital in
the land market cannot fail 70 raise the price OF
lands. Moreover, tie merchant is often the best
inprover of aI:i. He generally has a good deaf OF
the pride OF tlie tOwnsInan-hc desires to eve
~ thing neat and elegant around. He would take {
Delight in improving his land. and rendering his
cultivation neat: he has too redundant capital
with which all dis may be effected
Your committee will now proceed TO state, that
should flIe contemplated improvements be made
Virginia will quickly become "A Manufacturing
State. We have already siIewn, that capital aud
population will quickly flow into Va. these two
vf the grcatcgt requisites Cor Manufactures.
The natural advantages Of our State are equal 10