Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1837-02-07
ITS AGRICULTURAL FACILITIES AND PRO
DUCTIONs,

|
a rival. Nature has grouped together in
a most admirable form, such an excellent
combination OF advantages that the labor
Of the farmer is greatly diminished, whilst
the products OF the soil yield an equal in
crease of abundance. I he timber and the
prairie is so equally divided, and so convcn-
iently arranged for use, that for all ordina-
ry purposes, there is sufficient timber 10
supply the demands of farmers. In some
pa:s of the state in which travelled, this
remark is not applicable, because there
noticed great preponderance of prarie.--
This can cas- lily be remedied by an artificial
growth OF timber, which in less than ten
| years is fit for use. In the region Of coun-
! Try west of the Illinois river, The praries are
smaller in extent, and consequently have
ample abundance OF timber Tor building,
| leucing, farms and fire wood.
The soil, generally, in the state is Of an
/ inexhausable fertility. II has 4 dark, rich
| appearance, and extends downwards from
| tive to three feet. Ii may he denominatcd
self renovatng soil. When the top loses
| its productive qualities, a new and deeper
strata OF soil can be thrown up by the
plough, and the older one thrown under,
until It's whole depth is brought toward the
! the surface, and its strength contributed TO
enrich the Golfers Of the proprietor. |
! heard this theory suggested by an expert
enced farmer, and it occurred to me as one
based upon sound philosophy. The soil is
adapted 10 the production Of all sorts OF
grain, and repays the labor of the cultva-
! tor with hundred fold interest. To show
! the readers OF the Journal the immense di-
intuition OF labor i'll opening and cultivat-
| ing farm, will state the case CT gentle
man who emigraied twenty-seven months
since to the farm on which he now resides.
He and his three sons began to fence and
plough his ground in the spring Of 1884,
! and this year he had under cultivation las
acres Of different kinds Of grain, and $40
acres under fence; besides in the mean
! time, having built two comfortable log
cabins, with necessary stabing. The pro-
duets of his farm this year viii be about
five hundred bushels Of wheat, two thou
sand bushels Of corn, besides oats, millet,
etc. This, with the labor OF four persons,
he has accomplished in about two years.
mention this fact TO exhibit the contrast
between the labor necessary for an Illinois
and an Ohio farmer. For the former, ma
ture has literally done every thing excepting
| fencing and breaking up the prsries for
| the latter, man has TO tug and toll for
years 10 level the forest and 10 clear
the land. | could say much more upon
this point, but ii must suffice for such OF
! your readers as belong to the agricultural
| class. From this imperfect sketch, ii can
easily be seen that Illinois is one Of the
best portions Of ;he United States, for all
| the objects of agriculture, and that these
advantages will eventually make her take
high rank in the mighty destiny OF the
Union.
The general aspect Of religion is en-
couraging. From statistical Information
before me | CLEAN The following facts,
which may be taken rather as under than
above the true estimate. The Methodists
are more numerous than any other de-
nomination. The Illinois Conference in
Guiding the whole state, has about six
districts, sixty circuit preachers, one hun
dred and twenty Local preachers, and about
fifteen Thousand members. The Baptists
have nineteen associations, two hundred
churches, one hundred and fifty preachers,
! and six thousand communicates. This
denomination is rapidly on the increase.
There has recently been formed a Congre-
| gatonal Union, composed Of some eight
churches, independent OF presbyterian gov
| eminent. There are also in this state the
Cumberland presbyterians and the Metho-
! dist protestant denominations, both en-
! bracing about 80 preachers and 1000 COM
munlcanls.
EDUCATION.
In a preamble 10 one OF the school
! laws OF Illinois, | find the following SEN
tence Believing that the mind OF every
citizen of every republic is the common
! property of society, and constitutes the
basis Of lis strength and happiness; it is
considered the peculiar duty of free
| government like ours, TO encourage and
extend the Improvement and cultivation of
The intellectual energies of The WHOLE"
This sentiment is worthy Of all praise; and
! if carried out Into thorough operation, will
result in the richest blessings 10 the chill
dren Of the State.
When Illinois was admitted into the
Union Congress gave the sixteenth section
/ GAO acrc) Of every township for school
| purposes. This was to be devoted 10 the
/ special benefit Of families who resided in
the separate townships and not 10 the
! common school fund. BY an act of Con-
/ gress, three per cent. of the nett proceeds
Of all The public lands sold after the 10Th of
January 1899, is TO he paid over by the
| general government, subject 10 the state
authority. This is 10 constitute COM
mon fund for education. In addition 10 the
! above two entire townships, of loriy-six
thousand acres, have been added to the
common fund for education. The revenue
thus derived for education purposes, will
continue as long as there is any unsod
Congress lands. BY this wise regulation
OF national legislation, the immense domain
OF public land in this state is made TO sup
port, not only the physical wants of the
population, hut also TO expand and