Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-12-23
THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
To the General Assembly of Yirginia.
RICHMOND, Dec. 10Th, lS4l.

The Board of Agriculture, established by
n act passed at your last session, convened
It this place on the 9th OF the month, and is
low sitting. The members of the Board
Iieldeda prompt obedience to the call of the
appointing them to their present
from long entertained and strong
of the benefits which such an insti-
tuition would confer on our community, if it
be conducted judiciously and with zeal an
swering to the magnitude Of the interests COM
mitted to its care.
Every one whose attention has been turn
ed to the subject, must be familiar with the
great advantages derived from such establish
ments in the old world. Great Britain, es-
pecially, exemplifes these advantages long
the pioneer in whatever promotes the comfort
of mankind, she has, within the last fifty years |
which just measures the existence of her
Board Of Agriculture, increased the produc-
tons of her soil hundred per cent--an in
crease owing, by general concurrence there,
mainly to the laudable and well-drected ex-
ertions Of that Board in the discharge of its
high duties. 1t is not assuming too much to
promise ourselves the like happy results from
the labors Of a similar institution, in field of
more suspicious incidents and circumstances
We have abundant material on Which COM
mence our work, and the first purpose OF the
Board il to draw together the vast mass of in
formation connected with husbandry, which
lies scattered through the country, and being
confined to comparatively few, is thereby
essentially lost to the community. The facts
and principles SO collected, subjected to the
scrutiny and examination OF the Board which
in theory at least, and it is to be hoped in
practice too, will be composed of the most in
telligent husbandmen, may be diges,ed into
an agricultural code, suited to the moral and
physical circumstances of Virginia, and ell
aiding us to avoid the evils which have come
from pursuing systems adopted successfully,
elsewhere, but often inapplicable to our re-
gion of country.-Such code, if fortunately
prepared, must be of inestimable value, espe-
cially to the young farmer just entering on his
course; for, he is thereby ut once put in pos
session of whatever science and experience
have developed in conneXion with his calling,
and can GO confidently on, instead of laboring
through life without guide, and without sue
cess, and not unlrequcnty with the entire fail
ure of all his efforts. The Board hopes that
the digest may be afforded to the public at a
price so low, that every farmer amongst us
may be able to possess himself of it. They
would illustrate the value of dillusing correct
information bearing on agricultural practices,
by reference to our great staple tobacco,
which a viSitto the warehouses will show, is
selling at from two to twelve dollars; and al
thoGgh other causes may exert partial in
f1uencc in producing this wide difference, it
may be safely affirmed that it is chiefly ow-
ing to unequal skill and knowledge i'll the Gull
tvators Now the average crop of Virginia
is $4,000 hogsheads: could these be made of
the best quality, by improved cultivation and
treatment, gain of upwards of million a
year to the State might be effected The
same considerations, in a less degree, perhaps,
are applicable to all our great staples.
1t is with unfeigned regret that the Board
feels itself compelled 10 draw the attention of
the Legislature to the condition of the Com
monwealth, and ESPECIALLY of its Eastern por-
ton. Ours is a case unparalleled in the pro-
gress of human affairs: country once fertile,
in a most genial climate, with advantages pc
culiar to ourselves i'll our numerous and fine
navigdble streams, and all these blessings I'M
der the protection of order and equal laws,
becoming depopulated, is spectacle without
its like. Whatever other causes may have
contributed TO this mournlul result, all will
readily refer the principal agency therein to
ON injudicious husbandry. To remove this
bllghtlng evil will be the great object of the
Board. 1t doesnot disguise from itself, how
ever, that unaided and alone, its efforts will
be unavalling. 1t must have the constant and
cordial cooperation all classes, and the
fostering countenance of the Legislature
Agriculture should be the first object of civil
IZed man; its condition is fair test of the
state of society; when it is defective all condi-
lions sufler--when it prospers all partake Of
ITS prosperity. Every patriot should esteem
1t among his first duties TO do all in his power
tor It's advancement the apathy too prevalent
every where should cease--a new impulse
should be impaired by the jealous friends of
agrlculture-and the public mind, diverted
from an engrossing devotion TO party politics,
should be made to perceive that this great III
terest has claims on its attentions; for while
the chickering's, the rise and fall of heated par
TRANS, and their banelul influence on society
shall be forgotten, or be remembered ONLY TO
be deplored, the achievements Of agriculture,
by the aid of science and experience, will en-
dure forever, and in their progress will dis
pense blessings in ell coming time to human
kind. The Board, INDUCES the hope that its
Iabors will not be altogether unayailing in
producing this new direction of synpathies
and ieelings,so propiilous to the success of ag-
riculture.
1t will not have been expected by the Ie-
glslature, because it was impracticable, that |
the Board, at its present convention, should |
report in detail OH the state of agriculture.
1t has adopted, as is hoped, measures that will |
enable 1t to do so at its next session Among
other stpps tbpy have ro,,,I,oI g., .,.,.....,. |