Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-01-21
os-Neither House of Congress sat on Saturday


'''n TO the Report of the Committee of Apricuuro
on the proposition of Mr.. Barbour to es,bI;.,,
cultural Chair in the Universi,y-ap ;deo ,vh.. .
understand was part of the original plan of tho, r.
S''tution' conceived by Mr. Jefferson
| Inc committee of Agriculture and NIarue,..
- TO the resolution to them referred
gu INTO the expectancy of providinp funds for
lie a OF proiessorship of Agriculture at
OF Virginia, according to the or c,,1
ps, hereof and for the purchase of small troct ~
IN ~ os used as pattern farm: and have come IN
'"e 1r dso;nowing report and resolutions thereon
Inns enquiry naturally divides itself into two bror
Ches-hrst, as to the Professorshjp of Au,;cnI,,
anu secondly, as to the pattern farm and vonr Cow
inlttee asks to be indulged whilst if briedy 49,;
e iedsoi's Oh winch It's first resolution is founded
professorshlp of Agriculture at the Con,mo,,
Weaths University, central as 70 population md ,
i,1ory; "ouin nave an Immediate tendency to elevate
the character OF the cultivators fthe soil IN Mac
the science of agriculture on an eou.I f,; 80 20.
other arts and sc ences; to unE md
ured connection subssting between this and 81
sciences by which each derives aid and sprno.t g.
he o'ners and to explode the fatal error emanatnr
from undue prejudice and deror3tinp from, III, ls
oiest pursuit OF man. that the aoriculturaIis L
enough when he knows how to sow and when ~
up Inc Professor would, by corresponding with
. most hteingen' and successful agriculturalis,s IN
the state collect information of all their expermens
and be able to point out the cause of their falurc ~
success with their advantages, and the applicaI;t
OF the same principles 10 other branches OF aprcnl
liz HOHiu III ike manner. ascertain Will
cision the properties OF our soil and sub soil and tho
character of our climate, and thence he enabled ~
indicate superior and preferable modes ofcrItrro =.
those now IN use, and new articles of Agricultural
products To The growth of which our coun,rJ, i.
adapted 10
Virginia is the oldest of the confcderated s,to+os
o venus 10 none III ma fura fertility of SOIL geniatv
OF cinate or value and variety of product to which
may oe superadoed her noble rivers, BOUNDING iptor
secting and penetrating every portion of her tssrt
AND she mas been, and is almost exclusively nm oor;
cultural country ct these great physical advonf,
ges have not produced correspondence borofta ct
is not prosperous; agriculture itself Iongnsbo J
all The interests dependant on it. There nust h.
causes which have operated to blight such natural
advantages ana to ascertain and remove them
would be an achievement in legislation const;tv,;.
embarrassing epoch in history
{lhe first IN point ofimportance of those oauses on
which YOUR committee would comment as connected
win the present enqulryis the low estimate in which
this pursuit held The attention of this con,m,n
ty Is disproportlunaby attracted TO what are rrau
tously termed the learned professions: The mind
dazzed by the brilliant success of a few who
uniting uniring industry, and unwaveriDg nor
severance with superior natural endowments have
attained lofty emnence IN their profession and in the
consi Grafton OF the country overoos the fate of that
large1sJority who failing in their professional ever
ts, pass their days in hopeless poverty and obscrt
OBJECTS OF comm'seration rather than of emulation II
overiooks too the important fact that those profes
hand the fields of agriculture, boundless various and
open, invite their application; and promise annie no
industry ~ s'u
The depressed condition of agriculture NAV no a.
'outea IN no small degree, to another confederation
"hch Is botn tbe cause and effect of the preceding
-each contributing in its tnrn to The confrr,oion
and p"Tpeuity of the other. |, will readily ba nor
ceived that your committee allude here to the co,
error that an agrlCulturalisi may not only
without iniormation but that knoWIedqe n,to.s,agI
units HIM Tor his pursuit. Perhaps no country nm
less. our sister states to the South and SN,,tI,
west be similarly situated) has been more ini,r
cd ny this mistaken impression--for sapinion if
should not be termod-and this ninrio,sssnd 5oo.r.
ding refection-for it saps the foundation oF 5,r
suit most suitable to freemen and assails tho in,oI
lectual- character Of the better part of the b,na
Iamly-tnan virginia. But 1T is more eyre
g'ouS than general Information and knowledge emil
neny contribute to success in every walk of life. ond
are scarcely less useful and necessary the aercu!tu
a'St thah TO others To conduct his operations adyau
tageousy, the farmer should be familiarv acnaintad
with the princpiples of his pursuit and with the
practices OF the most eminent for their skill and
success in agriculture. Simple these are ip-
posed by many 10 be, a comDetent knowl dge
OF them Is attained only by minds stored with urea,
variety OF information, and after years of study oh
sarva'1nn. and experience He should be acouainted
with the properties Of the soil and subso with the
character of the climate, and it's influence on the
objects of his and abour the elevation and as
pect of his farm. he meiorating and eXhausfno in
Huence OF various products; the proper rotine of
crops; and with endless variety of subiects COR
necred with this noble sccnce-erd although
strong head may, untaught achieve much vet how
infinitely advantageous to such an one would it be- to
commence his practical career with full knowledge
OF It's principles and the practices Of his predecessors
AND contemporaries at home and abroad
Vther considerations support the cIarns the lead
ing object of the resolution to favourable conside
ration. The fund for the cncour8 cement and diff
sion Of Literature formed. to a considerable OK
tent, fromthe contributions of agriculture: but the
small disbursement requisite for the endowment of
This protessorshp, would be ivss than the return Of
The oiialfo the soil that produced !; Reason and
Justice unite to demand for this important branch of
knowledge equal aid to that dispensed to others-for
It's superiority over other interests is so paramount
that they deserve claim 10 consideration as they G1s
ter and advance this; aud it is comprehensive that
every other interest essentially depends on this and
reflect IN their condition that Of agrculturcS
Your Committee has not however the mems of
asccrtaiung the eXpcnce attending the establish
ment Of a Proessorsbip whether it. nav be more
Than portion Of The salary Of the Professor though
It IS informed from respectable source, that that
will probably constitute tho amount Of the cxncnce.
Besides it may be advisable unite this with eomc
branch now taught there; that Of Natural Philosophy
or Chemistry for example. Hence your Committee
would recommend the subject 10 the consideration of
the Rector and Visitors and request them TO present
pIan most judcious Cor economy and efficiency and