Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1830-05-13
wAsHINGToN's AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

WASHINGTONS AGRICULTURAL NOTES
NUTwITHsTASDIEG the numerous public avo
cations & duties, III which Washington was en-
eaped for a large portion ofhis liielt is known
that 10 no one object did he give so much
of his time and attention as TO Agriculture. The
frequency and minuteness of his directions to
his managers on this head, and the unceasing
correspondence which he kept up during his
absence from Mount Vernon, are truly aston
ishing, vi hen il is considered in what important
and absorbing interests his MUD was perpetu-
ally occupied. We have selected a few par
tcuars from his manuscript papers, which, Al
the same time they illustrate his agricultural
habits, may in part serve as practical hints, or
salutary maxims. TO farmers in general
dmGr. dtmnnnc.
/. Directions 10 the Manager ofhis Farm
A system closely pursued, although it may
moi in all its parts be the best that could be
devised, is attended with i1numerable advsn.
tagps. The conductor OF the business. in this
case, can never be under any dilemma in hi,
proceedings. The ovelseers, and even the Ia
borsrs, know what is TO be DONE aud wba. they
nre capable of doing, in ordinary Seasons
The force to be employed may be IN due pro-
portion TO The work which is TO be performed,
and reasonable and tolerable accurate esii-
mate may be made of the product. But when
no plan is fixed, when directions flow from day
10 day, the business becomes mere chaos,
frequently shifting, and sometimes at stand,
Tor want of knowing what 10 do, or the manner
of doing it. Tins is occasioned waste of tune
which is of more Importance than is generally
imagined.
Nothing can so efIectually obviate the evil,
as An established slgfem made known TO all
who are actors in it, tina, all may be enabled
thereby to do their parts to advantage. This
gives ease to the principal conductor OF the
business, and is more satisfactory to the persons
u 10 Immediately overlook it, less harrassing TO
he iSborers, as well as more beneficial TO the
employer.
Ir,on this view ofthe subject, the principal
,a.,ics which you can render me, is tn explain
y. ,,,o ovs,seers iwho will be furnished with
d,niica,,s, The plan, in all its parts, which is
her.afer detailed TO hear their ideas with
resnect 10 the order ~ which the different SORTS
If work therein poi.!ted out shall succeed each
other for the purpose of carrying II on 10 the
hest advantage TO correct any erroneous pro-
iects they may be disposed 10 adopt ; ana men
IN see that they adhere strictly to Whatever
NAV be resolved on. and that they are always
(except when otherwise permlted) on 'hcr
farms and with their people. lbe work unoeI
such circumstances, will go on smoothly, ana
that the stock may be we'll ted, Uttered, anu
taken care OF according to the directions, 1t
,y;Il he necessary To inspect the conduct Of the
oyerseers in this particular, and those also
whose immediate business it is 10 attend upon
chem with a watchfui eye: otherwise. and
generally in severe weather,when attention and
care are most needed, they will be most neslec'
ted. -,
Economy in all things is as commendable IN
rho manager. as il is beneficial and desirable
IN the employer and, on a farm, II shows nseii
in nothing more evidently, or more essentially
than in not suffering the provender TO be was'ed
bui on the contrary, in taking care, that every
atom, of il be used TO the best advantage; ana,
likewise, 10 not permitting the pioughs, mar
noes and other i'm plem mis- of husbandry, ana
the gears belonging 10 them, TO be unnecessa-
.;I,, sy,osed. trodden under foot, run over by
oar,s and abused in other respects. More
oood is derived from attending 10 The mlnui'9e
Of farm. than strikes people at first view and
ovamininy the larm.yards, fences aud looking
INFO the fields to see that nothing Is there on
wbat is allowed 10 be there, IS oitentImes Tue
means of producing more good, or at leas' OF
avoiding more evil, than can be accomplished
nv riding from one working party, or one
.,,.s,er TO another | have mentioned thes'
't;nSs not only because they have occurred te
no hut because, although apparently TITLES
W., ,rove far otherwise in the result.
To request that my people NAV be al tbei
,vor, AS soon as it is light, work I'LL !, IS darn
and he diligent while they are at 1t, can hard'.
he necessary, because the propr,efy oil mus
strike every manager, who ATTENDS 10 my 'n'e'
est. or regsrdshis own Character ana VINO, .
cao,;nc, must be convinced that lost labor
' nnrar IN he regained. The presumption IL
ne, avsrv Iaborer does as much in iwenty-fou
10 s'" ~ his strength, without endangerlng HI
o,,h ~ constitution, will allow. But there
n.a. more in wha, is called head wotk, Tia
~ ~ tbe manner of conducting business, thai
- - ;mbqii,ed, For take two manager