Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-01-19

needless loss fiom the premature solution 0
lll-prcpared manurcs, and the teaching OF th'
soil when stirred up and made light by th'
use of the plough or the hoe, is many nil
lions year. Vegetable food should be st
prepared, as far as practicable, as TO enconn.
ter both the frosts and SHOWS of winter ant
the heat and rain Of summer without loss, and
yet yield readily TO the dccomposing nilu-
ence of vegetable life. Nothing short of ihi,
can maintain the fertility Of all cultivated
lands. 1t is 10 practical science that our far
mers, and all others who happen to have
mouths that require three meals IN every
twenty-four hours, and hacks that need 10 be
clad in wool and cotton, mus, look for rem
edy for this increasing steriity Of the soil,
and thousand other evils to which no alu-
sion can be made.
In what way can this invaluable know-
edge be brought home to the frcsde and un-
dcrstanding of every husbandman in this
broad Republic? answer, in part by the
efficient aid of "A National Agricultural In
stlute and Patient Farm, near the capital of
the nation. The plan oftliat "a, Brighton,
near Paris, (Which has been emnently sue
ccsstul,) with slight variations, might be
adopted with advantage. The French In
s,iu,c was established in 1920, on ii domain
of over fourteen hundred acres, and bv using
an old palace for college buildings. Since it
was founded, the crop Of wheat annually
grown in the kingdom has been increased,
according TO official reports, over 100000
900 bushels. 1t is under the direction of q
company of business mon, and SD managed
as to be profitable stock
Science, without practice and due regard
to profit and loss, is comparatively valueless.
The labor of the hands and the improvement,
of the mind should 90 together. God has
conferred upon man both physical and intel
lectual pewers for his use.-Thcse muscular
and mental powers should be alike develop
ed, and made TO cooperate. before we have
right to expect that general abundance and
elevated standard of comturt-iliat high NOR
al and intellectual attainment which ought to
distinguish a great and free people.
Too much confidence is placed in books
and agricultural journals to teach, unaided,
the abslruse. sciences which appertain to rural
economy. 1t is no easy matter to convey a
clear understanding, by writing alone, of the
unknown properties of unknown things both
of which are necessarily discussed in terms
alike unknown. The lecture room, the la.
boratory, the sklful dissection of plants and
animals, the nature and composition of soils,
geologically and chemically considered, and
the analysis OF all organic as well as morgan
lc matter involved in any agricultural opera
ton, are indispensable aids, that the precise
relation Of things may be seen, and that their
nj t,, h,,,
Notwithstanding Of This sort is necessary
10 impart 10 the mind a competent knowledge
even Of the language of agricultural li,era.
ture. Something must be done to remove
this serious obstacle TO the general pcrusa
and understanding Of works Of the highes,
practical value. Let a person, no matter
low humble his requirements may be, see a
thing, ieel, smell, hear, or taste it, and il,
name ever after ceases TO be ror pratcr Mill
a National Institute should have srvcra
young gentlemen as pupils from every Con.
grcssional district in the Union. These once
thoroughly educated, would return and en-.
graft as far as desirable, the science of rura
economy upon every literary institution it
the country. By the aid of model farms II
every county, public lectures, and the cordi
; al support Of the whole intelligence and virlu,
) of the community, these public benefac,or,
would be able TO scatter broadcast the eoot
seed of sound practical knowledge Of the i'm
niutab!e laws of Nature over the whole length
and breadth Of the nation.
What better use can he made of the am
Pile funds given to the Federal Government
by the Smithsonian Request than to qualif
u LEVY hunIrnu ar n f,,n,.,nl Il.
every thee years, 10 carry home to ever
mans door, il the great agricultural rapubi
a knowledge OF all TIE improvements made i
practical husbandry hy the experience an
u study of the whole world The cmllya,or
+ Of the soil have this matter in their ow
= hands. Ifihcy will only speak to their pub
!: lie servants in Congress, this important oh
: ect can be promptly secured. The gain ,
: the whole country will be no, only incalcua
u bic in amount, bu, as universal as the fir,
Is wants of our common nature, and as enduI
O ing as the immortal mind.
i viii not the friends of human elevator
: the friends ofagrcuiura improvements unit
l, with me, and send up hundreds of petitions
~ Congress, asking the representatives Of RI
a. raj population to establish an Agricultural |,
is si,u,e and Pattern Farm near the CAPITAL ,
J. the nation, and thereby open perennial four
y tain Of knowledge, whose thousand rills sha
W fartIlize at once and forever the whole int
l. lect and the whole cultivated soil of til
Is young and rising rcpublic7 How man
i millions have been expended from tho n
l. lional Treasury, or otherwise taken from Il
D pockets Of the people, for the benefit of con
is merce and manufactures -! Is the gre
- interest ofagriculture alone unworthy OF pull
VI lie regardl win not the keen sighted an
~ patriotic press of the whole country spea
'c out upon question Of equal benefit to a
parties, and therefore alike worthy of the
y. . carr est support DANIEL LEE.
~ BUFFALO, December II, 1913.