The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1842-10-28

Agriculture, Wnen compared win inc
other pursuits in civilized society, Is as
the body to the limbs-all are useful in
their sphere, and united form a beautiful!
and efficient whole. The loss of limb
would mar its beauty and lessen its eff
cheney; but, if the body anguish, the
members become uscless--ifit approaches
its dissolution, they become cold and dead
if dies, the whole alike return to their
original elements. But, when the body
performs its several functions with health
full vigor, the genial current warns, cnIi-
vens, and quickcns all its members, and
strength, activity. grace and beauty are its
effects. This simltmde does not picture
too strongly the relative importance of
what has been termed the humble Occu
patton of the farmer. Agriculture feeds
the world. The mechanics tool-,he
spindle and shute--thc busy activity of
the commercial mart-and the wide spread
sail of commerce, all receive their impulse,
and are excited to life and action by the
quiet labors of the unpretending husband
man. His pursuit is the broad basis on
which rests the colossal structure Of the
business and wealth of the world.
Is not this occupation worthy an effort
for its improvement! Can the phllan,hro-
pist or the statesman devote his time or
talents to more useful object! Shall all
other pursuits he accelerated in their on
ward progress by the energetic action of
their votares, and this suffered to Ian
guish know too well the character of
the people address to entertain such an
idea. We have the intelligence and the
nerve, which needs but to be aroused, TO
accomplish all that we can reasonably
wish.
Tie time and situation are favorable to
the success of our enterprise. Ourselves,
eXotics lransplaned from almost every
civilized community, have brought with us
each his fund Of knowledge, which need
but to be known, compared, and selected,
to form system Of husbandry that shall
have no superior.
Located upon a virgin soil as fruitful MS
the delta Of the Nile, we are admOnlshed
not to disfgure it with the labors Of lgno-
rance, or mar It's beauty with negligent
culture. Being the germ Of a new society,
it is important that we adopt correct
system. Right information now dissent
mated, will be effective. Nopreconceived
opinions have, as yet, ripened into habit
and barred the minds to conviction.
Whatever system we adopt, whether good
or bad, will tell with force through future
time.
Another important reason for action, is
It's necessity to give us a fair chance for
competition with other sections of our
country. A new era has dawncd upon
our occupation. Too long neglected, the
husbandman las groPed his weary way
unaded by the light of science, and I'M
cheered by the patronage OF government.
But, more liberal spirit is awakened,
and knowledge is found 10 be as essential
to the proper management Of a farm, as it
is 10 the management Of a law office.
Our eastern noighbors are proGting by the
discovery. Their hard and sterile SOIL
has, in many sections, been made to more
than double its products. With them, the
word is oa,Cori! Shall our superior ad-
: vantagcs be los, through our neglect and
: supineness And shall we suffer others
to drive us from the market by dinl Of SUI
peror cultivation! We must keep up
with the spirit Of the age. We must adopt
all the Improvements, and profit by the
discoveries of others.
That our present system If we may be
said to have SYSTEM is defective, all vii
I admit. Our domestic animals which fat
5 ten upon the lnxuriant vegetation Of on
! prairies, arc generally unworthy the All
> vantages they enjoy; and the business o
our farmers is not sufficiently diversified
| 70 remedy these evils should be the pri.
mary object of our association. System
), and order are essential to the success o
e any business, and essentially so to that o
Il the larmer-there is time and season
/ for all things with him. There is NJ
n more powerful incentive to the adoption
n and perseverance in a right system, thar
example. In the operations of this society
e we shall have the advantage Of each other
d experience. A spirit of rivalry will b.
IS awakened, which will soon carry us 10 tn
le desired point. BY the exhibition Of on
r farm stock, we can compare their rclativ
I'd value; and when tina, comparison is farl
II made, we need have no fears but that tn
re good sense of the people will set thg
II matter right. A nobler race Of animal
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