Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1836-07-04
ADDRESS

w 'fo ''fh ott 1919.
GENTLEMEN At Your last meeting resolu-
,loh was adopted, requesting Your President to de
'Net an Address on the objects and utility of Az
'iCuit"ral Societies. When look over this in.
tciigent assembly, perceive that ii is composed
OF those, vile are much better qualified than | am
To discharge this duty ;--rhosc who are able 10
mpart information 10 me, instead of rccciyinp IN
tercsl or instruction from any thing that can say.
ms is the FIRST annual meeting of the Buckinp-
nam Agricultural Society, and my most ardent wish
II, mat each succeeding ANNIVERSARY may be hail-
ed "ltha deeper interest and u hsclicr zeal IN the
cause oi agricultural Improvement. Could | Nat
Ter myself that my powers OF mind were aieouatc
TO grasp and exhibit in proper point of view tins
great subject, and To mpart To II those attractive
charms 10 which it is entitled, should enter upon
the task assigned me with greater confidence and
might be encouraged to hope To draw some new vo-
tares to its shrine. But | am conscious, that. from
my limited abilities, am unable to present tins
subject IN as imposing attitude as lis importance
demands And when take a survey of the wide
and extensive field before me, am almost tcn,pt-
ed TO shrink from the undertaking; but as il has
been my course through life never to shun any du-
! " that mi Int be required of me, ! shall, in plain
and bret, though fear, an unconnected and nnin-
tereStIng manner, attempt 10 perform the one
which you have imposed upon me. In the per
Torrance of this duty, throw myself upon your
kindness and indulgence, trusting that my zeal in
good cause may compensate, III some degree for
my many impcricctons.
In speaking OF the oh ccts and utility of Aericu-
ura Societies, called for by your resolution, sup
pose, may be permitted as there is a close CON
nrNion between them, to speak of the prevailing
defects OF Agriculture, and TO point out what
may consider the remedy This branch of the
subject is OF the first magnitude whether taken in
physical, moral political national point of
view. To know the defects IN the present systems,
and to ascertain the remedies, constitute the main
ends for which our association organized.
will proceed IN the first instance TO speak of
the advantages resulting from the formation of Az
ricnltural Societies. their objects and utility -
next the importance of the Agricultural profession
compared with other professions and then point
out some of the material defects in the systems of
Agriculture, and recommend remedy.
With regard 10 the objects aud utility of Agri-
cultural Societies. II may be observed, that they
have tendency to excite greater interest in I'M
provement to bring together the Agrculursls of
the country, thus enabling them to compare their
views, 81 that the information possessed by one,
may become common TO all. 1t is the formation
of ONT stock company, the dividends of which
are TO he drawn in the shape of increased know
ledge ON the great and interesting subject of Agri-
culture. By your Constitution, annual contri-
button is to be made to the fund of practical nior-
nation. From that valuable clause in our Consti-
tuition, requiring from each member an Essay on
some subject, connected with Agriculture ex-
pect to receive much benefit, and that the public
will be laid under heavy obligations Let this
QUESTION be strictly complied wth and much good
will result, not only to the members, but to their
nciehbors and to the county. 1t notorious fact
neghborhood others speedily its advantages,
and are excited 10 follow his example. In those
different Essays required OF your members, we shall
not only have theory, but practice. Thus each one
pays his inStalmentS nlo the common stock, and
meet together and draw their dividends in com
pound ratio as one To the whole number this can
not but be profitable stock. The dividends which
we shall draw, will be more than equal to the re-
QUESTIONS made upon us then this ought to be
sufficient inducemcnt to make IFS all punctua in
paving up our annual insalmcnts. In mntipli-
city OF counscllorS there is wisdom. The wiSest
and most profitable Agricultnrist amongst us, will
receive LARGE dividend in the increase OF his stock
of inormation No individual possesses as much
information as is dillu>ed through the whole mum
Der of members +; here, then, are some of the ben
o6ts resulting from the formation OF Agricultural
Societies. But these are only part OF the adj
vantagcs connected with Agricultural associations.
might specify many others The Cattle Show,
connected with them, will certainly have the Ell
feet of creating spirit OF Improvement IN the
breeds of cattle. OF all animals, the COW is per-
haps TIE most valuable, whether considered in re-
ference to the milk butter and beef with which our
tables supplied, or in reference 10 the OK upon
the farm, or in carving its produce TO market.
And after he has performed his full quota of SER
vice on the farm when put into the stall, he is even
then more valuable than ever.
This, then, is another important advantage of
Agricultural Societies. might continue and
speak of improvements in all the domestic animals
that are useful to man, the horse sheep, hogs, &c. ;
the improvement in which is intimately connected
with the objects of Agricultural Societies.
But will pass to notice, IN the next place,
the importance of the Agricultural profession, COM
pared with other professions.
Gentlemen The subject to which am about
to call your attention, is of momenous interest.
The Agricultural profession is OF more importance
than all others 1t is like the main spring in a
watch, which puts the rest Of the machinery III mo-
tion-it is like the main artery in the human sys-
TEN, which pervadcs and gives life to the whole
animal constitutional may be compared to the
spinal marrow, which, if broken, causes the decay
OF the whole system, The Lawyer, the Physi-
cian the Merchant, the Mechanic and Divine, all
receive support from tis profession.
| Behold the seas covered with shipping, and
their sails spread to every gae-all set IN motion
all supported by the Agricultural proiesson.-
/ Then we not, ought we NOT, TO tcel a deep in
terest in elcvang this profession to ITS proper
rank Can there be oncspark Of patriotism burn