Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-01-09

by the diffusion of useful knowle Ice, and
the consequent developement of the pow
ers of the mind The lnanipulations in
the arts have been greatly abridged by la
tor-saving machinery. and many Of the
processes have been simpli6ed and cheap
ened, and the results rendered certain, by
the aid of science-bv knowledge Of
those laws which Providence has ordered
for the government of matter, inorganic,
as well as organic. Mind has been put in
requisition, as well as physical power
And these changes have in some measure
been effected by a more systematic arrange
ment Of business-by division of labor
and by general and rapid dissemina-
ton. by means of the press. of knowl-
edge of the Improvements which are eve
ry day being made in these useful arts of
labor.
Let US now turn to agriculture, the pa
rent of all the arts-the source of our pur-
est and most substantial enjoyments-lhe
basis of our national prosperity and indie
pendence. This is as susceptible of i'm
provement as the other arts OF labor
What progress in its improvement have
we made, during the last forty years >
Have our labors been abridged by the
general introduction of improved labor
saving implements of husbandry? Have
our lands increased in fertility, and in the
amount of their products! Has the DIFF
fusion of useful knowledge, on the bust
ness of husbandry, been as extensive as i,
has in manufacturing and mechanic arts j?
The valley of the Mohawk was long ago
celebrated for lis fertility and its wealth.
Have enterprise, intelligence and improve
ment in rural affairs, kept pace with the
spirit OF the age! fear these questions
cannot he answered af1irmatively. | fear
that 1t will be found, on an impartial in
vestigation, that while all the other arts of
labor have, with rapid strides, been pro-
crossing IN Improvement, our farmers
have too generally been taking a Rip
Van Wrinkle nap;-that with all the nat
urai means of improvement, and all the
common incentives to employ them. they
have been listlesslr treading ia the foot
steps of their fathers, unmndful Of the SAL
u'ary changes which are enIghteninp and
enrlching those engaged ino'her branches
of labor.
have said that agriculture is suscenti-
BE of improvement, and that our farmers
have the power and incentives to bring il
about. if they would do as others do, make
JOINT stock of their knowledge, and thus
Individually profit by the experience of
all. Scotland, in a little more than forty
years. has increased her agricultural pro-
ducts four fold. and yet~but few of her
farmers are owners of the land they till
They are TENNIS at heavy rent, which
Prot Low, one of her agricultural wri-
ters. averages al more than eight dollars
an acre per annun, while the burdens, in
the form Of taxes, are assumed bv him to
be about $40 upon farm of 500 acres.
Thus the occupant of such farm paws
annually, in rent and taxes, about a 500
dollars. which Of course is a drawback
upon his nett profits, and mos: of which
the American farmer, with Scottish intel
Ilgence and industry might annually add
to his income. Yet the Scottish farmer
prospers under all these disadvantages.
What l have remarked ofrhe increased
profits of Scotch agriculture, will appIv
| with very Ilule abatement, to MANY dis
trlcls of our own country, and particular
" to the County of Dutch-ss, in our state,
Entlre farms IN that county have Melted
the cult'vator< an annual profit of fifteen
and seventeen dollars an acre. Fortv
years ago these firms did not probably
nett quarter of this sum; and il | am
abe correctly to identify one to which |
make reference, 1t was forty years agp
mostly old field. term denoting worn oui
land, and was lying in commons
One of the best farmers of the aoe.
man of science and extensive practical
knowledge in farming, has affirmed. that
by doubling the expense, in l.bor and ma.
nure, ne has, upon the same land, been
enabled to treble his profits, aud to qua.
dFnple his products. I aIlude 10 Won
'Thaer, who has for twentv-four wears been
atthe heal OF the great agricultural school
in Prussia.
III might be permitted, without beno
charged with egotism, to cite, nv own ex.
perIence in the business of improvement
| would point to my farm, on the Albany
6arrens, which many Of my hearers have
Seen. | presume, in its present and former
state-as further evidence that We can
improve our lands. Twenty years ago,
my SOIL was poor,-verv poor-and my
farm part ofthe commons-a waste. Il
Is now as productive, and lis culture af-
lords as literal profit. as any the lands
In yonder fertile valley. 1t is worth, for
tirm culture. the interest of two hundred
dollars per acre; and this wear the pro.
dnct has been greater than have named,
although but ordinary labor was bcStow
ed IN the culture. 1t may be said that
have expended capital in my improve
'nents. This is true laid out extra
money and lahnr 10 mt II into rrooI -.