Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1843-10-19
(22tet5t15C(urnc+
From the Southern Planter.
AGRICULTURAL APHORISMS.
PARTLY COPIED.


Of modern times, is the combination Of
large numbers ofindividuals, represen-
ting the whole intelligence of nations,
for the express purpose of advocating
science by their united efforts, ofleam-
ing It's progress, and communicating
new discoveries. The formation Of
such associations, is Of itself, an eyi-
dence that they Were needed
1t IS not every one who is called by
his situation in life, to assist in extend
ing The bounds ofscience, but all man.
Kind have a claim to the blessings and
benefits which accrue from its earnest
cultivation. The foundation of scien-
tiiic institutions is an acknowledgement
OF these benefits, and this acknowl-
edgement, proceeding from whole ma
tons, may be considered as triumph
OF mind over empiricism.
lnnumerable are the aids afforded to
the means of life, to manufactures, and
to commerce, by the truths which ASST
duous and active inquirers have disco
vered, and rendered capable of practi-
cable application.
Agriculture is the true foundation Of
al trade and industry-it is the founda-
ton of the riches of states. But ra-
tlonal system of agriculture cannot be
formed without the application of sci
entifc principles.
The life of plants is closely connect
ed with that Of animals, in a most sim
pie manner, and for wise and sublime
purpose.
The presence of a rich and lnxuriant
vegetation, may be conceived, without
the concurrence of animal life, but the
existence of animals is undoubtedly
dependent upon the life and develop
ment Of plants.
Vegetable culture heightens the heal
thy state of country, and a previously
healthy country, would be rendered
quite unlnhabitable by the cessation of
all cultivation.
we do not know what height and
strength nature has allotted to plants !;
but this we know, that a plant gains
another mouth and another stomach,
with every new fibre Of root, and every
new leaf, consequently as those organs
are increased, SO must the plant be
nourlshed and enlarged.
All the innumerable products of Vi
tailty, resume after death, the original
torn from which they sprung. And
thus death, the complete dissolution of
an existing generation, becomes the
source of life for new one.
Heat and moisture are the principal
agents, both in producing and destroy
ing.
Which is cheapest, to fence up per-
manent pasture for your cattle, or to
fence up all the lands required for your
agricultural purposes2
There IS no way Of making improve
m n IN farming, but by experiments.
II the farmer can conceive Of better
mode OF culture, or management, he
should testits propriety by experiment.;
and If successful, he has performed an
act which is serviceable to his country.
and honorable to himself.
The lands of a nation are its princi-
pal capital; if these become SO exhaus-
ted as to yield little more in products
man what is merely equal to the value
OF the labor bestowed on them, the
condition of that nation must, in the ee-
neral, be poor.
By highly improving a country, its
population may be doubled or trebled,
and by thus bringing the members Of
me community closer together, much
labor IS saved in their necessary IN
tercourse; muchin going to church,
to mil, and to market.
Good culture, when bestowed on
highly improved land, may be said to
be a source Irrational pleasure; whilst
that which is usually given to land that
is but poorly improved, is most com
monty productive of much toll and yex-
alton.
The killing Of beasts for our use is
lawful, but surely it is not lawful to
torture them.
Lands are seldom so rich, but it may
be matter Of gain to increase their fer
tllity; and few tracts are 50 poor, but
with proper tillage and manuring, they
may be made the residence Of plenty.
In supplying animal and vegetable
manure, temporary food is only pro-
vlded for plants, which is in all cases
exhausted by means of a certain num-
Der Of crops; bat when soil is render
ed of the best possible constitution and
texture, with regarato is earthly parts,