Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1839-11-07
TO THE LEGISLATURE OF VIR-
GINA.

TO THE LEGISLATURE OF vIR-
GINA.
The Agricultural Society of Albemarlc was
founded some twenty years past, by some Of
the wisest and most patriotic citizens of the
Commonwealth among whom were their
first President, the late James Madison, and
his distinguished compatriot and friend the
late Thomas Jefferson. Associated under
such auspices, and having in view an object
of such general and high importance, it pre-
SCENTS itself before the Legislature to invoke
its fostering aid in behalf Of Agriculture.
The views ofthe Society, were there rea-
sonable hope of success, would extend to the
establishment of q Professorship Of Agricul-
ture-a Board of Agriculture, and an expert
mental Farm. Taught moderation, however,
by the i'll success heretofore attending their eff
forts before the Legislature they content them
selves with asking now for the creation Of the
Board-the members to be appointed by the
Governor, and to be selected in equal mum.
bers from the four great divisions of the State.
The number at the beginning to be twelve
the compensation to he the same as that al
lowed to the members Of the General Assem-
bly,, with an allowance for the contingent en-
psnses Of a Clerk, printing &c. Their scs-
sions would be limited to few days, and the
amount Of the cost Of such sessions could not
pose could sum of that amount be appropri-
ated with aprospect of a fairer return9 1t is
about equal to the expenses of one days sit
ting of the Legislature. The Society will not
permit itself to believe that an elaborate GNU
neration Of the benefits of the measure they
recommend need be made to the Legislature,
many of whom (and it is frequently wished
their number Were greater) are Agriculturists.
Let a few of the more prominent considera-
-. rta Il -,
Legislature that such an establishment exists
in every enlightened government in Europe,
where the welfare of the people actuates their
Policy-but particularly in England, whose
good fortune 1t has been to take the lead in
cherishing the arts and sciences. And it is
an important truth that ought to be deeply i'm
pressed on the mind Of every Legislator, that
Agriculture has advanced hand in hand with
such eStablishments-that while the small
outgoings to sustain them have returned in
benefits an hundred fold, the countless mill
ions squandered in schemes of lawless ambi-
ton and in ruinous wars have left no monu-
uments save of the folly and wickcdness of
rulers and of the sufferings of mankind.
And it is submitted to the sober reflection of
the Legislature whether the dedication of
small portion of their time to the important in
terests ofAgriculture, might not be as profitable
as when spent in the endless political strifes
tnaI exercise so Dane1ul an lnNucnCe on the
quiet and happiness of society.
a Board OF Agriculture, composed oftweIve
of the most enlightened cultivators, could not
tail to concentrate great mas of Agricultu-
raj Observation-Disclosures now confined to
a few, but then to become the property of all.
itIs notmerely the knowledge we now have,
but we may confidently count on it's continual
increase, which could not fail to ensue by a
communion with each other. The errors into
which they may have fallen, and of conse-
quence, prevail in the regions they represent,
by this communion would be detected and eX-
posed; and being a rallying point would at
tract to 1t the affections of all who take an in
terest in the subject, and would contribute to
the usefulness of the establishment, by COM
municating whatever was calculated to fur
ther the objects of its creation. Information
would be sought by such Board, by carry
Ing on correspondence with similar lnstitu-
tons, whether in this country or other quar-
ters of the Globe. With these funds of in
telligence the Board might prepare Code of
Agriculture, combining all the well establish
cd principles of Husbandry, and to be pro-
gresslvely improved by such successive dis
coveries. Nothing has been productive of
more mischievous consequences than perus-
Ing, In the absence of better guide, Treati-
ses on Agriculture adapted to different eli
mates and different circumstances-as perni-
clous as the acts Of a foreign Legislature, ig-
noraIt Of the wants and the character OF the
distant people for whom they legislatc.
The society will not resort to the thread
bare and disgusting theme ofexhausted fields,
dliepidated houses, and an impoverished and
cmigrating population--for it is not 10 your
sympathy they would appeal, but to your jus
tlce.--lt is not favor they ask, but right
they demand. The cultivators of the earth
pay directly into the Treasury nine-tenths Of
the Revenue.---Has solitary farthine been
expended directly in their favor, although Ag-
ricultuIc Is the most important, and at the
samc time, from its complication, the most
difficult TO acquire among the pursuits of life
They have seen, aud without regret, portions
Of their hard earnings expended on objects
proper In themselves, but when compared
with tho Improvement Of Husbandry, insip-
nihoant. They now ask that something may
be done for the very foundation on which the
property OF the State reposes.
Small as may be the dispensation now re-.
9rIred, compared with what they have right
70 demand, they console Themselves with a
hope that when the advantages of Board Of
Agriculture shall be developed, the I.episla-
tuTe will continue TO manifest its patriotic go
ljeitude by additional aids TO this great and
permanent interest; and in conclusion thew
suggest that the condition Of the cultivators
Of the earth may be assumed as fair barom-