Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1830-06-23

FARMING.

u ono half Of the zeal, energy and
erpenss that blots SO many gazette,
with low and coarse abuse, setting the
community by the ears for the sole gain
land the paltry purposes Of few dema'
Igosues and Office seekers, were bcstow.
ed on tho advancement Of agriculture;
if the people were half n ambitious "a
improve and beautify their fields, rs
they are Ia settle the nation; and hall
as angry with the thistles and thorns,
and poor fences, as they are with their
political opponents, who probably wish
as well to the country as they them.
selvcs-we should have more produc-
tive fields, less complaints Of poverty,
more ability to be charitable and mum
hcent, and abundsntly more good feel.
ing. From Pittsburgh to New Orleans,
the son ploughs as his father did before
him, and the great mass Of farmers are
as stationary in their theory as they are
in practice. Niue in ten of them be-
lieve at this moment, that book farm
ing 10 tho mere useless, visionary
dreaming Of men that know nothing
about practical agriculture.
We would tell them that England is
the garden Of Europe, simply because
almost every acre Of ground is cuitiva-
ted scientifically. and on principles
which have been brought TO the test OF
the most rigid aud exact experiment.
We would tell them that New England,
OF whose soil and climate they are &C.
customed to think. ~ consigned by
Providence TO strrility and inclemen-
cy, is the garden Of the United States,
only because the industrious ard cal.
culatiDg people do not throw away their
efforts IN the exertion Of mere brute
strength--but bring mind and plan,
aud system. and experience, to bear
upon their naturally hard and thank
less soil. On every side, the passing
traveller sees verdure and grass, and
orchards in the small and frequent en-
closures OF impcrishable rocks, and re.
marks fertility won from the opposition
OF the elements and nature. After an
absence Of ten years, on our return to
that country, we-Sere struck with this
proud and noble triumph, conspicuous
over the whole region.
The real benefactors Of mankind, as
st. Pierre so beautifully said, are those
who cause two blades Of wheat to ma :
ture where one did before. The field
ought to be the evening theme of Ame-
ricans, who love their country. To
fcrtiiize and improve his farm, oush,
to be the prime temporal object of eve
~ owner OF the substantial soil. All
national aggrandizement, power and
wealth, may be traced to agriculture as
ITS ultimate source. Commerce and
manufactures are only subordinate re-
suits Of this main spring. We consi
der agriculture as every way subsidia-
ry, not only to abundance, industry,
comfort and health, but TO good morals,
and ultimately even to religion. We
shall say and sing, speed the plough.
We shall always regard the American
Farmer, stript TO his employment, and
tiiling his grounds, as belonging TO the
first order Of noblemen among US. We
shall always wish him bountiful har.
vests, good beer, and moderate use
OF cider, and if he will rear it himself
OF the grape, but none of the pernicios.
sladness Of whiskey; and We shall in.
woke upon his labors the blessings o.
Cod, and say Of him. peace be With
in thy walIs.'-I Jt'esfern Reuier.
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