Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-01-21

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Part of public functionaries. to IMPROVE and ,dn
the agriculture Of this State appear To b,v Ino'
confined principally to two periods first in the eorI
settlement of the Colony, when rewards far ,,,.;!
products of agriculture, were offered bv C,oro.,o
and Commanders with he twoold view of 1ot,cb;no
the emigrants from the allurinr attractions of h
ting fishing, and searching for the precious metals
and of attaching them the interests of tho so;I
of regular orderly life. Secoaaly shortly precad;n,
and immediately subsequent tethe Revolntion ,sben
similar means employed for the purnosa of nrn
parlng the country to sustain the arduous sruooe !,
winch IT was about to engage and to sacura rooI :,
dependence, after that of the nation had been su
cessiully asserted But for the last fartv voars o1,
little seems To have been done, or attemDtcd hv .bo
pubic authorities OF the State, to Improve The inter
est However curious and Instructive the enou;ry
which would trace and developc the cousas ,,ibici,
dverting the attention OF the people, and public an
tofses OF the State, from the advantages to be de-
rNed by lueclous legislative measures and nvest-a-
toDs IN behalf OF agriculture left it. and IFS interests
TO the unasslsted efforts of individual inclination
means; yet, such enquiry. valuable in its noco is
el 70 the duty at present occupying the laborrs of
your Committee. But thc consequences of ncclec
ted agriculture, are to he in all parts of tbe
state and IN none strkinrly then i'm tho oLIas,
NO FERTILITY OF soil, o. other natura. advantaOes brve
been able to wths and the continued use Of inudi
clous and mprovcont cultivation. Land once fertile
and productive is now cxhauste and though s;iscnn
tioe OF resusctatlon the requisite aGricnlt,ral
knowledge and skill are rarely to be found An i'm
PoVerished SOIL Yields scanty and inpoverishipr nro
mi tod.
they are seen and ie-many of our ciznps n re ,Io,
doning the place of their nativity, and seel,in,
homes in the far distant West finder snc5
circumstances the enquirers emphaca address them
selves to every rejecting and patriotic mind ub,
does agriculture anguish and what is the remedvp II
mas not arisen IRON governmental nerference-f,r the
authorities OF our State have for forty years re-eIec
ted this great interest; and the coni;tion or
the wandering tribes around u.s. the result Of danepd
ing on the unassisted efforts of individuals and the
more prosperous agriculture of som, of orr e;e,er
States possessing inferior natural capacities strlin
y illustrates the benefits accruing from wise
and Paternal legislation this subject These con-
sideratIons unite in recommending perseverance tn
our exertons to revive and stimulate agriculture but
admonish us to the exercise of liberal allowance for
differences of opinion, and to crcumsDecon in the
choice OF means. The present generation of this
State has not had the benefit of the provident agency
of Government in guiding fostering, and stimuIatinr
agcuiturai enterprise; nor have they had an opporu
hiy ot personally witnessing the sautary influence of
government, IN this respect, in our sister StatesN
Hence the best intended and best conducted measure
IN behaf OF this paramount interest NAV without
great prudence and forecast, by being msapprehend
ed retard' instead OF advancing its real and perma-
nent good. f
Having negatived the second branch of tbe er,ui,,
which has tor ITS object pattern farm, your commit
tee contents itself with remarkng that it nercevee
at tins time advantages likely to result frcm it that
would justify the expense '''N'
Resolved therefore, the opinion of this Commit
Tee that the rector and Visitors of the University of
u Is State be requested to present. in their next annr.
report, plan for profeasorship of agriculture wifi
a statement of the necessary and probable eynensa
thereof. Fe"'e
Resolved, Also that it IS inexpedient at present o..
provide funds for the purchase of small tract of nJ
to be used as pattern farm. '''N