The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1841-12-15
AGRICULTURAL.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON AGRI
CULTURE.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON AGRI-
CULTURE.
Submitted 6u r. w. Roper, Chairman.
The Committee on Agriculture, TO whom was
committed so much of the Governors Message,
NJ I pc relates to Agriculture, have had the
subject under considerstion and beg leave res
pectfully to nonn
That thew coincide fully with his Excellency
as TO the Importance of Agriculture to our State,
and consider its Improvement the essential care
of the politician. Wise laws and judicious en-
couragement, develope the resources of nation.
Individual ingenuity sometimes originates and
traces out many useful but insulated expert
ments, and whatever their results, the crcula-
ton of them is often limited. BY comblna-
ton in societies. important aids are offered, emu
lation is awakened and information dssemna-
ted:sthe practical benefits, however, still ex-
tended only TO particular sections OF country,
= and demonstrate thatno alternative but govern
mental patronage remains to secure permanent
and extensire advantage. Success in the cult-
walton of the earth is expected to supply most
of the wants and demands of life, and it be-
comes the pocyof the State to aid in the ad-
yaacement of this most valuable of human pur-
suits.
The wide extent of our counrty, and conse-
ouent cheapness of land, produces a migratory
spirit among the population of the State; and
after exhausting the soil in one spot, they roam.
ed to another, subject to all the priyations and
expense of reusega', and not unfrequently re-
turn to the scenes OF early childhood impover-
ished and forlorn. This restless propensity,
the result in many instances OF expectation OF
sudden wealth, more often from ignorance OF
the resources around them, and proper me-
thod of improving their land, Legislative care
shoald check, The effort will be attended with
beneficial consequences to the State. Every
new experiment among the population nave
alluded to, in clearing new fields, destroys a
quantity of valuable timber, deficiency OF
: which in many places. is beginning to be seri-
ously felt; and this devastation is committed
while science aud dexperience teach that not the
quantity of land planted, but skill in culture,
Yields LARGEST returns. Nature, in the econo-
INV of her works, never intended any OF her
bounties should be annihilated What is con-
sumea in one application, aids in new tounda-
tions, and varied and abundant pabulums are
furnished to reinvigorate and restore worn and
exhaust ed soil The furrowed fields of Europe
attest this truth, and so beautifully is her system
adjusted, that deficiency appears to exist
we may well suspect our own want OF observa-
ton. Accident sometimes leads TO important
discoveries, and invites to further scrutiny but
" science pursues the clue which kind Provi-
dence may have presented to unfold her tayors.
An enlightened and liberal Government is the
parent to extend this care, to offer the nuture
which will promote the growth, vigor, and
prosperity of her people. South Carolina is not
wanting in affection to her children. Her Exe-
cutive presses on this Legislature what is SO
much needed, and your Committee recommend
the adoption of his views.
If examples were required to enforce their
utility, your Committee might point to the et-
forts of many of our sister States, and OF for.
eign nations. Georgia has just completed a
geological and neurological survey of her nine
ty counties, and can now. estimate her resources
and her wealth. In Pennsylvania, the discove-
nv of gypsum has created revolution in her
agriculture, while her coal mines bid fair to
make large portion of the United States tribu-
taries Massachusetts, has expended large
sums in bounties on grain, and geological and
agricultural surveys. Her lime now quickens
a cold and sterile soil, which feeds a teeming
population, and offers surplus for expectation
Maine by bounty of ten cents on the produc-
tion of every twenty bushels of wheat, recent
ly expended $4,000 Lime with her has be-
come an article of expectation, and from three
small towns alone, an amount of twelve hun
dred thousand dollars is realized. New York is
CARRYING on an agricultural and geological sur
vey of. that State, and New Jersey, Maryland,
Virginia, Michigan, Indiana and North Carroll
ma, are all examining and developing their own
resources.
In no country in the world more than England
is fostering care of agriculture exhit tied, both
by Government and individuals. Though that
country is eminently manufacturing, nay, the
great workshop of the world, and contains few
more square miles than South Carolina, she is
yet enabled to support twenty-five millions OF
inhabitants, and furnish enormous government
tai resources In Scotland, agriculture is con;
Quoted exclusively on scientific principles, and
the farmer applies to the chemist tomstruct
him in the peculiar nature. ofshis soil, and
stimulants best adapted to its improvement
Throughout that country, and in England, rot
only is resource had for manure to salt, clay,
mari, lime and gypsum, drawn from their own
domestic supply, but they also import for that