Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-08-30


the details Of husbandry; and have superintend-
ed and directed complex operations on several
farms, at the same time that he presided over the
destinies Of rising empire, IN novel, arduous,
and hazardous career Of military and political ex-
pertinent The following, copied from g Let
ter from Mr.. Jared Sparks to the Hon. Judge
Story" will present new motives, and fresh in
centives, to'every cultivator to initiate the viz
tues, and venerate the name of WAsnISoToN.
.Agricuiturat Papers. was no station
in which Washington took more delight, or the
duties of which he discharged with more zeal
and activity, than that of a practical farmer
His achievements in tins walk, were prodigious.
1t may fairly be questioned whether any other
individual in the country, not excepting the
most industrious and enterprlsing, who has been
devoted to this pursuit alone, has ever accom-
pushed so much. He was commander Of an ar
nv, and at the head of nation for few years
only at time, but day never passed in which
his farm was out Of his ,nind.-During the whole
war, he was planning improvements, directing
them, and often writing letters of minute nstruc-
tons to his manager. While President of the
United States. it was his standing custom to
write weekly, and receive weekly returns. in
which he required great particularly and exact.
ment and progress Of the laborers. l have be.
fore me volume of press copies Of letters, writ
ten in one year, during the Presidency, to his
manager and overscers. Some of them extend to
several pages, and they average more than one a
week. They are written in his own hand, with
its usually fair and regular character, and bear
every mark ofhaving been as much studied in
expression aud style as any of his compositions.
In some cases, and probably in most, they were
written and copied out by himself, before the
press impressions were taken.
Such was his habit for years, amidst the bur
den of his public cares. There is also before me
a curious agricultural document, dated days be-
fore his death. II is a pamphlet Of "a folio pag-
es, written in a close hand, containing instruc-
tons to his manager for the cultivation Of three
farms on the estate of Mount Vernon, the follow.
inc year. Each farm was divided into lots which
were numbered. In the pamphlet very full in
structons are given how 10 cultivate eUery lot in
the three farms during the next year, stating the
crops, with remarks on the soil, the products Of
former years, and the results of former expert
ments. Washington died, you will reco'lec,. in
the middle of December, and this pamphlet,
drawn up evidently with much labor and refiec-
ton, was already prepared to be handed to the
manager, at the beginning OF the year, prefaced
by letter of general directions, on the impor-
lance of method and forethousht in farming ope-
rations. and this, Notwithstanding he was him
self to be on the plantation, and exercise daily
supervision.
These instances are mentioned only as exam
pies; they indicate the habit, and it is unnecessary
to add more. For time he kept an agriculture
journal, and was engaged in experiments on ro-
taton of crops. noting down, for series OF years.
the crops of each lot, with remarks on the COM
parative success of different rotations. He was
at much pains to stock his farms with the best
breeds OF animals, and his grounds were adorned
with rare aud curious trees and shrubs, collected
from various parts Of the United States, and
from foreign countries. His correspondence
with Sir John Sinclair, Mr.. Anderson, and Ar
thur Young, on agriculture, has been printed
1t is not my intention to select much for pubica.
ton under this head, but such papers will be in.
cluded, and such illustrations appended, as will
exhibit IN their due proportions the character OF
Washington his farm, and his attention to the
humble concerns of life.