New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1845-05-07
Little Farm well Tn1ed.

The greatest obstacle to the Improvement of Ag-
riculture in New-Engand, is the propensity OF the
farmer, the mania | might well Hit, TO ocn more
land than he can till 10 advantage. And il is thus
that we scattered the country large tracts
of sterile, reproductive land, which, under good
cultivation, would yield bountiful and valuable
crops. Not only the dictates OF sound philosophy,
but numerous facts, drawn from experience. are
constantly and loudly calling upon the farmer, from
every quarter 10 occupy snat Ja,7n and cuttirate
IL nell wish that thus admonltlon could b. thun-
dered into the ears of the agricultural population Of
Nav England, until complete revolution should
be produced in the farming system.
This great truth is already beginning TO be under
stood in other countries, and Is attended with cor
responding advantages. The drnsest population in
Europe may be found in Flanders and Lombardy,
where the land is divided into small farms, and,
being thoroughly titled produces abundant food for
the inhabitants. And the experience OF quarter
Of century in France proves that, by the occupa-
ton of the country under small working farmers,
the land is producing third more food, and sup
porting population one-thlrd greater, than when
il was possessed IN large masses.
The law is univeraal-it applies to every country
that the secret OF success in Agriculture consists
in the thorough cultivation OF small piece OF
ground, which, well manured and we'll worked,
Yields up lis treasures in prodlga profusIon. In al
most every part of New England, capital error
runs through the whole system of farming Il
greal deal Of money rs invested IN land, and rery
little money employed IN its cultivation. And II Is
sad to sec The owner OF large farm pride himself
on the number of acres which he possesses, and
undertake To cultivate the soil without sufficient
means Such man has been happily compared
to merchant, who expends all his capital in build.
ing for his own use large roomy store and Is at.
forward seen gazing with complacency ON his bare
walls and empty shelves.
~ He has chalked out to himself hard lot, and
voluntarily enters on a state OF servltude, worse
than Egyptian bondage HIS work Is never accom-
plished. He tolls at all hours and yet IL never
ahead of his work, and his work is never halt
done. He has not time 10 accomplish any thing
thoroughlo. His house Is out OF repalr-his barn
diladtdated-hs cattle poor-his fences In rains
his pastures overun with bushes aud acres OF land
which, under proper cultivation, might be made &c
Weld a rich harvest, arc but little removed from
barrenness, perhaps dotted with mullen, burdocks
thisles, or filled with sorrel, white weed, and olhe
noxious plants, which root out the grass and eat VI
the life of the soil. without aitordng nourishmen
10 man or beast.
What II harassed, unhappy being must be The
owner of such farn lie has no time for recrea
ton or mental Improvement He is doomed To th'
tread.mlil for lite with his spirits depressedde
spondency stamped upon his hagsard lineaments
and the worm OF discomfort gnawing at his heart
with him there pie asant associations with tn
past-the present. is iui OF anxiety, care, and har
labor-and dark cloud rests upon the future. HI
reminds me of Hoods touching Song of tn
Shirt" and it may be well said or sung Of HIM:
work-work-wVrk!
From weary chime tc chime,
Work-work-
As prisoners work Tor crime
Plow, and harrow, ant hoe,
Hoe, aud harrow, aud pow
TIL tho heart IL Sick and the arm bcnumsI.
And misery stamp'd ON the brow.
Such man has little reason pride himself %
his extensive possessions; and paradoXcal as
may appear, he would in nine cases ont of ten, ad
10 his riches as well as his enjoyment, by givln
away one halt of them at least He is, IN the lru
sense Of the word, mis.rably poor, in fac, slave
and when hls eyes are opened 10 his real condition
is no wonder tina, he is glad to enancipale him
self, By selling his farm for what he eau get, an
escape, post haste, 10 Texas or Iowa.
ISleeper'S Agricultural Address