Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1831-02-03

Manufactures, on the propositions submitted
BY Mr. Barbour, t. establish an Agricultural
Chair in the CEiversity, and to purchase a
small tract Of land to be used as pattern
farm. (I'his Report we published few days
ago, and the reader will bear in mind, that
the Report Of the Committee approves the
establishment OF an Agricultural Professor
ship at the University. but dissents from the
proposition for Pattern Farm
Mr. Barbour addressed the House at some
length, and with great eloqnencs. on the
| state of Agriculture generally, and IN con-
ciusion moved as substitute for that part OF
the Report Of the Committee, negatlying the
proposition for Pattern Farm, the following:
On the second branch Of the resolution
the expediency Of purchasinga small tract OF
land, to be used as pattern farm.
Your Committee beg leave TO remark that
this ha. long been a favOrte plan with some
OF the most enlightened Of our citizens, who
have urged in It's behalf, that connected with
the Professorship on Agriculture. it would
present at once the best theatre on which to
test the principle, that might be taught by
the Professor; and this too in the presence
Of the students Of the University, who are TO
be the future men Of Virginia-and who on
returning to their respective homes, would
carry into every part Of the Commonwealth,
the benefits Of their observations. Here too,
seeds and grains from every region brought
by sur sea faring brethren, (who have AREA
dy displayed a laudable zeal in this particu-
lar might be cultivated, and their utility
ties ted On this farm, the vine and the null
berry might also be grown; our soil and eli
mate il is confidently believed, are friendly
to both--and the advantages of their culture,
if this belief is well founded, are too obvious
to need illustration. The various implements
OF husbandry might be greatly improved
inventions IN Ia Dor saving machines, might
be subjected to sxpcriment-the useful re
commended and the useless rejected; and
thereby our citizens relieved from impos-
lures now practlsed upon them by quacks
who take advantage OF their credality. Here
too, stocks Of The best breed OF useful ami
mails, might be reared and distributed thro'
the State-ln fine il is as impractcable AS
unnecessary, TO enumerate the advantages
that would result from the proposed estab
llshment under ludicious management
Ii is commended that the only objection that
can be urged against such an establishment,
is the expense. The amount of that, would
depend upon IFS scale: 500 acres OF land ~
The most that has been proposed-the pur
chase of that, aud the necessary stock and
implements, would not exceed 10000
The labor necessary to carry II on, IT has
been suggested, might be obtained by fuliiil
ing the design of the fathers Of the Literary
Fund When the first act passed, creating
that fund, it was understood that poor
youth, distinguished by his promising eapa
city. wa. to be selected from each SENATOR
al District, by the Delegation thereof, in
both Houses Of the General Assembly. and
to become the adopted soHs of the Common
wealth-these might be placed on this farm,
and by alternate labor and study, practically
executing the principles that might be taught,
become the most Intelligent agricuiiuraIists
Of The age, and the most useful men in the
Commonwealth. The products of the farm,
it is urged, would he equal to its current
expenscs.--The whole amount of money to
be expended by the State, would be the ORR
ginal investment. and the friends of the
measure, ask, is it unreasonable on the part
OF the agrlcultHral,sts, who have contributed
at least; three fourths of the whole amount OF
the Literary Fund, to require that the one
hundred and iliifeth part may be applied to
40 object promising such vast returns TO
them?
They further add, that in this State, we
have forty millions Of acres of land; which,
with improvements, may be estimated at
tive hundred millions, and the labor and
stock employed in agricultural pursuits, may
be fairly rated al one hundred millions, max
ing the entire agricultural capital, three hun
dred millions The gross annual proceeds
on so much Of this capital, as is conducted
with skill aad industry, may be pretty safely
estimated at six per cent-while the proceeds
OF the residue of this capital, diminishing in
proportion to the decrease of skill and indus
try, finally fall short Of even meeting the
actual demands Of the annual expenses and
the capital itself, is often consumed. If the
whole agricultural capital was conducted iu-
diciousiy, the proceeds, according to the a
bo,e data, would be eighteen millions aanu-
ally its real proceeds are very far below -
An improvement which would increase IFS
proceeds, even one per cent, would be G.
quail 10 three millions annually.-It can
therefore, scarcely be doubted, but that the
proposed farm, ii established, will, by the
new lights it may dispense, return the in
vestrent many fold.
As however, tki3 proposition has been sab
mltted for the first tine 10 the consideration
of the Legislature, and as the Committee
has referred the expedicncy of establishing a
Prefessorship on Agriculture, to the Rectors
and Visitors Of the University, they think it
expedlent without compromising themselves
as to the business of the reasoning urged in
its support, to give the same direction to this
subject
Resolved therefore. That the Rector and