Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1840-12-22
AGRICULTURAL IMPROVEMENT

When the first balloon was launched in
to the air by Pilatre de Roster, spectator
was inveighing strongly against the utter
uselessness olit-the folly Of attempting
to navigate the air. DR.. Franklin who
was standing near, pointed to very young
infant in its mothers arms, and told the
speaker to look at tit might become al
| future day, great man and a valuable
citizen. This is d proper answer to all
who object to communicate knowledge to
agricultural papers, because knowledge is
so little 10 be depended on.
We ask all these who ridicule book
planting, how knowledge in science and art
and literature, could be communicated but
by books. We are accustomed to consi-
der the discovery ofprinting as one Of the
greatest blessings to mankind, and to laud
the improvements--but agricultural know
ledge must be handed down from father 70
son by tradition, and the practice of old
farmers must not be recorded, because book
knowledge is all folly, and will make a
young planter soon plant himself out of
seed.
We once had occasion to demonstrate
with friend IN college, because he neg
lected his studies. He answered with per-
feet sang froid that it was considered more
honorable to depend on talents than on stu
dy, 10 carry young man through college,
Are not the objections TO book knowledge
about of equal value with this students re-
ply! We think them worth Just as much.
1t is surprising that intelligent gentle
men, men of education, who have the re-
putation of having more common sense than
their neighbors. should indulge in the op-
position to every thing written for an az
rlcultural paper. 1t is but a few DAYS
since we heard gentleman Of character
who has travelled-who has opportuni
tier of studying the agriculture Of other
sections OF the country, say that it is folly
to read any of their agricultural publica-
tons, because they do not suit us-we 90
not want book acknowledgement old negro
on plantation can teach us how to plant
and manage q crop, &c. 1t IS lost time to
talk with such men. This knowledge which
he has learned OF the old negro and which
he has applied to practice successfully, land
every young planter has not a learned ne
gro to instruct him) is exactly what we de-.
sire TO make book knowledge of.
We desire TO compare the results of the
practices of those very opponents Of book
knowledge to be able to correct and i'm
prove perfect modes Of management in
their experience. And in the name of COM
mon sense, should not this knowledge be
put into paper or book? Why should
we not follow in the pursuit Of agricultural
knowledge the same course that is adopted
in every other business? The answer is
plain--predjudice, like mist, exists against
all innovations, and the want of energy
and activity in the supporters of new prac-
tees, causes serious difficulties We are
too much in the habit Of moving in large
bodies ; as soon as political primo pie is
chisseled out, We pursue it in a pack
each supports The bes. man, and the COM
bined powers of individuals studying and
following out one idea, il is soon settled.
n agriculture many principles are connec-
.~--our p~~r.~ are scatsereu-eacn man