Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-03-18
THE LATE COL. JOHN TAYLOR. OF CA
ROLINE VIRGINIA..

NAAhN u LA
THE LATE COL. JOHN TAYLOR, OF Ca
ROLINE, VIRGINIA.:
SSe'ch OF his character az an Asriculturst, ex-
ractedirom the manuscript Introduction to the
work recently proposed to be published on the
"Husbandry and horticulture of the Middle
Northern, and Eastern States,'' sc. BY James
Nj. Garnet, of Virginia.
- The first very successful attack made up
on the strongholds of this once very numerous
family" the Goodenoughs," was by the patriot
&c Col John Taylor, of Caroline, in his excellent
little work called g Arator." This awakened,
every where, the dormant spirit of Agriculture,
winch very soon began to exert and display itself
IN the creation OF Agricultural Societies in various
parts OF our country, where such things had
never before existed; and in many well-di-
rected efforts for tertilizing our exhausted soil,
and deriving from its judcious cultivation, all the
various comforts and luSures, which it is so high
; ~ capable Of producing. There were not
lew who saw, with no small degree of wonderment
. that an excellent practical farmer, one who
; hau made great deal of money by it too could
actually write book about without being tempt
ed into ruinous experiments by so perilous an
Undertaking This book very rapidly passed to a,
fourth edition; almost every body read il who could
read;many began to adoptrhe methods recommend
co. ana although some were disappointed, yet,
am very sure IT was more owing TO their not max
ing sufficient allowance for difference of SOIL stu
anon, q other circumstances, betweeneiheir farms
and Colonel Taylors, or TO certain interpretations
OF their own, the failure of which they willingly
iau upon Arator, than TO any erroneous advice given
IN the book itself The good produced by it, so great
~ overbalanced any mischief resulting from the
Observation-Disclosures and misapplicaton of few that;
hfator VIII continue to be gratefully remembered
Dy every friend 70 agriculture as long as it shall
De esteemed virtue among TO cherish the
memory OF every true benefactor TO his country |
ma, ~'ne Taylor WGs such, IN an eminent
degree, both W precept and example, is now ac-
knowiedged on I'll hands. HIS Uictoyies although
Ixvh.
who achieve them victories recorded in the
blood OF their feow->reatures-have vet been
such as unquestionably Contribute much more to |
human happiness: for they have been conquests
gained over prejudice and ignorance He de-
nonstrated by his actions, well as his words
the capabilities OF soil; the resources of our
profession; the best methods OF auEinentng them;
and the way 10 diffuse comfort plenty and indie
Pehuehce, throughout an agricultural community.
he proved incontesiby, the comparative ease with
which fields, abandoned for their utter exhaustion
could be restored TO their original fertility and in
deed, carried beyond it. He inspired his agricuItu-
raj brethren with laudable spirit of emulation,
and elevated the character of our yeomanry to
mat station oil pre-emnence in utility, to which ii
mas SO gust claim, from their furnishing the means
oil subsistence to all other ranks, orders callings
ana professions. In word. he did more for the
cause OF agriculture, at least in the Southern
done. -
ms tribute OF regard for the memory of one who
hohored me with his friendship for thirty years of
my me- VIII not, hope, be deemed irrelevant in
Work devoted to that cause which he so eminentIy
contributed TO promote In noticing the progress of
agricultural improvement among us to have passed
IN siIehce over the name of such q n,an-one who
tnsyJustly be considered the prime mover the eff
cientsource otthis mprovement-would have been
not less repugnant to my ofjustice than pain
Iul to the feelings ofmy heart ''Thatpraise s. hon
OF should always be given to whom they are due .
IS a maxim which should never be neglected any |
Where' but especially under a Government whose
very existence greatly depends upon applauding
ana reWarding talent & merit, in whatever mode
theymay be displayed"
10 prove the rarity. some sixty or eighty wears |
ago, even OF printed essays on rural affairs flor
writing books on these subjects was entirely out Of
the quesiion0 remember TO have heard, when a !
0oy' that certain member of one of our 0,tan- |
9dHI great families, adyentured to publish in the
only newspaper then in Virginia, edited by Dixon
ana Purdie, an elaborate essay on sheen. This
ooiu achievement Immediately acquired for him. |
WIN many, the reputation of very great very ex
traordinary talents; while the Goodenoughs pro- |
houhced' sun more authortatveiy that it was a !
clear proof the poor man had got Sc kirk in his |,
Drain How he might have Jared in these present
u'nes' have no means of Judging, as his ESSAY
very soon became nothing more than waste paner |
certain II Is, that the sheep of my dear nafive
State, when can first recolIect NOTICING then !
exhibited not the slightest symptoms of having de-
rived any benefit from his benevolent exertioHs in
oil hcb N'NSAHASAi9