Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-12-23
"a.

lA.)
The committee to whom was referred the con.
alteration OF a general plan of early operations |
or the board of agriculture, have performed that
iuty, and beg leave to present the result Of their
deliberations in the following report:
In considering the different modes of procedure
md Of operation which might be benefcially
adopted by the board Of agriculture, your COM
mittee were bound to have strict regard to the pc
culiar circumstances of this body, and the entire
deficiency of all pecuniary aid from the govern
ment Tor forwarding the great objects of the es-
adjustment OF this state institution. 1t was
therefore proper TO propose for the adoption Of the
board, not what your committee might deem the
best and most surely beneficial plan Of operation,
but the best that be awaited of in the present
feeble condition of the board. Ii is obvious that
tho unalded anu unsupported enUr,s OIL the board
alone, or OF its few members separately, even if
exerted with all possible zeal and energy, can eff
feet very little towards attaining the great objects
sought In the institution ofthis body. Therefore
it is especially requisite to appeal TO, and ask the
gratultous as well jealous aid of the judicious
practical agrcuturists of every county of Virgin
la. 1t this appeal to the patriotism or the pub
lie spirit OF the agricultural class is not made in
vain. we may yet hope for highly valuable results
from the abors Of the board, when thus favored
and sustained. The general sketch of plan of
operations which will be submitted, will rest up
on the suppositon that such aid, from very MANY
Of the cultivators of the soil, will be readily aud
zealously afforded. Ii without such aid OF labor
and information, and literally bestowed, as we'll
as without the fostering care of Government, then
1t may be admitted, i'll advance, that any plan and
every effort of the board will be utterly futile.
Your committee consider that the great and
most important early business Of board of agri-
culture is to collect the already existing agricul-
tural facts, which, though perhaps long known
and properly made use of by few individuals,
or within limited districts, are kept from general
md nv Tim ,f. IL,
means for communication and diffusion. Ii the
knowledge OF such existing, but almost dormant
or concealed truths were merely exchanged among
the various possessors, and so far made public,
that one effect alone would be of very great value
to the general interests and improvement of agri-
culture.
With the view to this end, and by the means
hoped for and expected to be furnished in indi-
vidual labours, it is recommended that general
list OF queries, particular subjects for nuu-
ry, be prepared, and copies be sent to few of
the farmers of each county who may be supposed
likely to be inclined TO give their assistance that
these individuals, together with any others invit-
ed by them, shall in each county. form commit
tee to obtain and report the information desired
from that county, as fully as circumstances NAV
permit. In addition to this one service others
of greater value and continued operation mioht
be performed, if the individuals i'm each county
thus associated temporarily for special purpose,
would form themselves, and many as possible
OF their fellow farmers, into permanent agricul-
turai society, constituted for actual ,corking-for
making and inducing the making of accurate ao-
ricultural experiments, and for elicting and re-
porting practical facts and useful truths.-A So
ciety In each county thus constituted, and thus
'oorhtnS, would In every successive year add to
the great harvest of agricultural information, of
which our present aim is but to gather the alrea-
dy existing or first fruits. And the total amount
OF such acquisitions, If furnished from many So
(sI lIvt 81 H.
ture, and then published and disseminated
through every county of the state, would serve to
produce results OF the kind and the value that
ought to be expected from properly constituted
and sufficiently endowed board of agriculture.
1t is proposed that the state be divided into
eight districts, in each one of which designated
member OF the board of agriculture shall endeavor
to carry into effect the objects of the board and
as fully as the assistance rendered by others and
the other available means may permit. Ifenough
OF particular information be obtained i'm the
course OF the ensuing year, and in sufficient time
Tor any such district, or portion of it, addition
10 such general examination survey as the
member of the board experimenting that district
can make personally, then he shall prepare ge-
heral report on the agriculture of the district, or
Part-and also more particular and full report
OF any one county or smaller section so far as his
personal labors and other sources of information
may permit. These reports of particular coun-
ties, or smaller sections, might in like manner be
added to, as TO other counties, in subsequent
years; and the early and imperfect details of all
be connected and enlarged as more matter NAV
he obtalned.-Ihese reports would serve finally
as materials Tor systematic and general apricu-
tura report of the whole state.
AS additional means for filrhernp these oh
lects, 1t is recommended that each member ofthe
board, when visiting the district assigned to his
charge, shall attend the meetings of any existinu
agricultural societies, or where no society exists.
that he shall invite the attendance Of, and free
conversations with, the farmers Of the neiphbor-
hood, at suitable time and place, for the purpose
OF obtaining answers TO the queries, and any 9TH
or desirable information. Each member thus ac-
ting separately, will collect, arrange and furnish
to the board the agricultural information offered
within his district OF operation and also, from
bese materials and his own personal investi,a.
ions, make such general and particular reports as
we're referred to above.
(B.)
The committee to whom was referred the selec-
ion of queries, have had the subject under con-
liberation, and beg leave to report the following !
list -
1-GEoGRAPHICAL STATE.
l. General geographical description.
9. Climate.
3. Surface and soil.
4. Minerals.
5. Water.
li.-GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF LAND.
1. Quantity OF arabic land, of meadow, Of
wood, of waste land =!
2. Size of farms.
3. Rotation Of crops, and the kind Of cul
tlvaion
A. Depth and manner of plouohipo, for
preparation Df different