Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1840-03-11
Agricultural.
From. the Ne,O- York Sun.
ImPoRTANT FAc rs.

y
We observe with astonishment and re-
qret, the conclusive evidence which ap.
pears in every direction, that the business
Of agriculture does not receive the atten-
ton due to 1t in this country, bat is
treated with absolute neglect, compared
with other pursuits. This ought not to
be, and the inhabitants of this country
will yet learn. that they have committed
gross error by abandoning the cuItiva
lion of the soil, for less independent, and
more precarious, modes of obtaining a
livelihood.
Who has ever heard of such state oil
things as now exists here? We have a
soil as fertile as any that the sun ever
shone upon, country almost boundless
In extent, and so cheap, that any man may
purchase farm with the proceeds Of a
few years. labor; yet we are actually i'm
porting for consumption, immense quaint.
ties of agricultural products from foreign
countriesl A people, thinly scattered
over a land inequalities in fertility, and
exhaastless in its resources, are buying
their bready at enormous prices, from
countries so overburthened with inhabit-
ants, that political economists have feared
that the earth would fail to produce suf-
flclent to support them. Such an extra
ordinary &unnalural circumstance should
excite attention, and awaken inquiry. as
10 its cause.
The fault as we have seen, is not in
the soil, nor is the country overrun with
inhabitants. Ii is, therefore, evident that
the cultivation of the soil is neglected
otherwise we should be exporting agri-
CULTURAL products, but il is easier to show
the fact, that agriculture is neglected than
10 hnd sufficient reason for this neglect.
We apprehend, however, that it will be
Iouno 70 spring In great measure, from
the same causes which have produced
much evil in this country, and the bitter
fruits of which we are now reapino.-
The first and chief of these causes. is the
inordinate thirst for wealth, which per-
vades every class of society, and induces
men to abandon their Legitimate business
% engage in some wild, hazardous specu.
laIlon, IN the hope of becoming suddenly
Tlch. II is also too often the case that the
farmer becomes tired of the moderate and
gradual accumulation of property by the
products Of his land, and leaves the cult
vatlon of il to engage in the business of
commerce or manufactures. He finds out
his egregious mistake when it is too late
The property he had accumulated is often
ssquandered aud lost in consequence of his
Ignorance OF his new business, and he
again signs for the cheerful and independ-
ent mode of life which he has abandoned
Mnen It IS out of his power to resume It.
we have IN our mind numberless instan.
ces Of this kind, where industrious and
prosperous farmers have been lured 70
iaeir rum BY being induced to lay aside
the implements of husbandry, and engage
10 the universal scramble after sudden |
wealth. N0"
There is another great error prevalen, !
upon this subject, and that is. the businass |
OF agriculture is generally looked unon
- less respectable :han that of commerce
uiactules, or the professions and
ny farmers. instead ofteaching their
their own business, most usually
nsiorm them into merchants, LAWYERS.
tors, or dominies. This is all wrong |
Agriculture is the very back. bone of ali |
business, the handspring of all wealth. !
ana should be regarded as a profession Of
the highest responsibility. Ii gives those
engaged in i a feeling of Independence
genuine nobleness without ostentation
honor. honesty and firmness, we'll caIcn'
lated TO Perpetuate the free institutions ofl
our happy country. The truth Of the
eloquent panegyrics of the ancients upon
lnls employment may be more easilvt
realized here, than in any other country
upon earth. We confidently hope TO see
public opinion speedily righting itself
upon ms subject, and to find people seek.
ing their permanent interests, and advanc.
ing the prosperity and glory of our wide
domain by engaging more generally in
i n healthful, honest and Independent