Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-03-20
TWO LECTURES
on THE
IMPROVEMENT OF AGRICULTURE,

NV" NSssV."s " 'SVlVSs' VIII .
Delivered m the several tonns of Chitenden
County By the late agent for The Chittenden
County Agricultural Society.
(PuBLIsHED BY REQuEsr.)
No. |.
Comparison between the common and scientific
systems Of Agriculture.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
In undertaking to handle a subject so impor-
tant. so universally interesting, as the compare.
tive merits Of the common and scientific systems
of agriculture, am fully aware Of the respon-
slbiIity which incur. It's a subject important
and interesting, not only TO the Individual farm.
state, but to the whole country. and throughout
all orders Of men. For agriculture is the most
ancient, the most honorable, and the most neces-
sary occupation, which employs mankind 1t 10
the foundation Of civilized society, the basis of
commerce and the arts, the nursery in which is
brough. up, the bone and muscle of our own
beloved country. Let us bring therefore, 10 it's
consideration, minds free from prejudice
bape Of all candid inquiry-and dispositions TO
spend an hour, in careful search after those
means for it's improvement, which are most likely
to advance our own prosperity.
In taking retrospective view Of the history
Of this profession, we perceive that during the
dark ages Of Europe, the tllage of the soil was
the occupation Of the meansst part of mankind.
Ignorant OF their true in,ereots, despsing hon
est industry and intent solslyupon ease or glory,
our European progenitors,t hrough many centu-
ries, looked with contempt upon the cultivation
Of the earth, as we'll as upon the useful arts in
general. To such as these, true national pros
peri,y was Of course comparatively unknown
nor are they the only example of the influence
of husbandry upon tho power and wealth of ma
tons. Thus the ancient Persians, whose agri-
culture was conducted by slaves, were the most
eiamna,e people Of antiquity while among the
Egyptians it was honored and protected aud
from thence art and science overspread the civ
ilized world. The warlike Romans were strict.
ly an agricultural nation; and TO the strength
and hardihood of that people, brought up 10 live
BY the sweat oftheir brow,was owing ia a grea,
measure, the success oftheir arms. During the
ten centuries of European anarchy, commonly
called the dark ages, we constantly wonder how
men subsisted. The farmer was poor and ig
norant, subject TO oppressive exactons, exposed
to constant depredations. and liable at every
moment to be interrupted in his vocation, by the
military summons of his feudal chean. Blu,
as learning and civilization revived, agriculture,
too again reared its head; and at the presen,
day, its vo,aries in France and England. Ger.
many and Holland, stand at the head Of their
profession throughout the Christian world. But
though these have made great improvements
though the efforts of scholars politicians and
great men, have lately been directed for its ad
vancement; long will it be before the effects
of so long slavery will totally disappear; ere
the farmer, honored and respected, will take hi:
stand among the higher ranks of his country.
men. 1t is, therefore, IN our own land where
such distinction Of rank has never existed, ant
cannot exist, that the cultivate. Of the soil 10 Oh
level with his fellow, that intelligence and in
formation are public property. and the farmer
already high in the estimation Of all, has every
incentive to exalt himself and his profession tc
the highest point in his power. 1t becomes
therefore, the imperative duty Of every indvd
ual who owns an acre of land, 10 use his efforts
as an enterprsirg and patriotic citizen, for the
perfection Of improvement in agriculture ant
to the consideration of this object would nov
solicit your earnest attention.
said that in this country, the farmer is un
controlled by aristocracy in his freedom OF i'm
provement; that the prejudices against his pro-
fesson as being low and ignob'e, exis, not among
US. This expression should be modified. Tha
there is a rapidly increasing respect towards
husbandry, manifested by the higher classes o
society, is a circumstance for which we canno
be too thankful But nevertheless, the time hal
been within the remembrance Of many who arr
now living, when (hough all are polincaH
cqual,) the merchant, the lawyer, and the schol
ar regarded respectabitiy as exemption from labo
and dsspised as well as pitied that poor uniortu
nate operative, who was condemned to earn hi
bread, according to the ssnieRce of the fall
Nay, SO strong has this prejudice been, tina
farmers themselves have driven their children
from the plough, and forced them to take 10 tn
law, the counter or the office; in order tina
through some respectable members, the famil.
name might not be wholly connected with vul
gar association The reason Of this was plain
The tillage Of the soil was carried on by thu
;iand, merely, without the interference OF thu
head, The whole business was a mere bodily
drudgery, regulated Throughout, by blind custom
popular superstition, and arbitrary notions. lg
norance, simplicity and coarseness, were thu
characteristics Of The class. 1t was thought tina
the management Of farm, required no qualifi
cation beyond the ability to perform the manua
operations, OF blowing, sowing and rsaping; tina
investigation into the thousand phenomena o
nature connected with il, was totally unnecss'
sary and useles and, therefore. the most igno
rant and stupid of the race, we're sufficient!
qualified to ill tho soil. Now as all men bow
down before mind, and respect any occupation
according to the proportion of this highest Q
powers necessary for its prosecution it follows
of course, that where no mind is employed, NJ
respect will be commanded; hence agriculture
employing but little mind, has received accord
ingly but little respect. The natural eonse