Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-04-03

On motion, the Convention adjourned.
CHARLES DOUGLAS, Chm.
Ira WILLIAMS, Sec'y.
ENCOURAGEMENT TO IMPROVEMENT
IN FARMING.
We have been favored with the following e1-
tract from an address Of Franklin Minor, Esq,
before the Agricultural Society of Abemarle:
"What is there in the Farmers condition and
occupation TO destroy thedesire ofimproyement-
a desire SO invariably implanted in the hearts OF
all men-or TO prevent of that innate saeacily,
which rarely fails TO discover the means OF doing
so, il left free and untrammelled? Compare his
occupation with that OF the manufacturer, en-
gagged in The unhroken monotony OF single en-
ploymeni; or of The merchant, chained 10 his
ledger and counter in the pent up atmosphere OF
cty or of the carpenter, toilina al his work.
bench, and the blacksmith, sweating over his an
vii; or OF the sailor gazing al eternal wastes Of
wave and sky which only change 10 threaten him
with shipwreck and ruin; and why should they
improve faster than he7 So far from there be-
ing aughl in The nature OF his occupation 10
prevent improvement, every thing is favorable
to il. His pursuits are full Of variety and
call into constant and active exerlion all
The mental faculties. The manly exercises
Of the farm and The pure air OF The fields
strengthen his constitution, and preserve his
health; while the grandeur and beauty Of Nature,
displayed in all her operations, are constantly
occurring before him TO awaken his curiosity,
kindle spirit OF inquiry in his mind, and ex-
pand and refine all his moral affections. Why
then has he improved more slowly than those en-
gagged in other pursuits If the merchant find
oul new secret Of selling goods, or sure way
OF collecting old debts, or the manufacturer new
invention which enhances his profits, or the me-
chanic a new machine which facilitates his ope-
rations, how speedily and eagerly do those inter
ested seek 10 avail themselves Of the benefits OF
the discovery, sparins neither pains nor money
10 do so! But let farmer introduce an improve
ment in husbandry and how slowly do those
around him profit by his example They look
on with indifference-nay nine out oil Ten shake
their heads with that air so characteristic oil agrl
cultural obstinacy, and pertinacously stick 10
The systems which they and their fathers have
followed from time immemorial; and do II, loo,
with patient self complacency which would be
wholly inexpicable, had not Solomon in his Wis
dom told US, that 'the sluggard is wiser IN his
own conccit than seven men that can render a
reason" have known a man who waited ~
years to see if plaster would make his neighbor's
clover grow. Alas for the delay When al
last convinced of its utility, he was grown loo
poor to purchase il; and his land had become
100 much exhausted to be reclaimed by its use
How long shall such folly last2 Have the far
mers Of Virginia, along with their worn-oui
lands, inherited all the stupidity OF The age II,
then, there is no lack of wit, and no obstacle in
the way, surely nothing is needed but the will TO
improve. Can it be sol And is the desolation
which sis upon our fields and with quilted hills,
and barren wastes, and stin,ed heritage, mocks
our hopes, removable at our will londy be-
eve IL Only lei the farmer set about 10 i'm
prove, and 10 acquire skill and knowledge in The
art OF husbandry, with The same zeal and energy
which goes 10 so many other pursuits, or with
even half Of what he often eIpends in The vain
and.pouliDs contests Of party polilics-and the
friends OF agricultural Improvement will soon
have no cause TO sigh over the slow progress OF
the noblest and most useful of all The pursuits
of ~