The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1847-09-15
RED SULPHUR STRINGS, Va. !
s. 18th August, lS47.S

To Col. A. G. SUMNER,
Editor Of the South Carolina.
My DEAR Sir: Your oblising favor Of the
18th June, reached nue. but. recently al the
White Sulphur Springs. Since the LIST Of that
month have been rambling in Maryland and
Virginia, making observations as time and op.
por,unries would permit, on their agriculture,
as 1t came in view on The way-consideling
my position aud duties to the agricultural pub.
C, it need hardly be said tina, shall feel par.
,icularly indebted for any documents, such as
you refer TO, or remarks that you can send me
j., the subject Of agriculture and Education,
indisputably Two, among the most important Of
all public concernf; yet. strange to say, among
the most neglected, SO far as they depend for
improvement on the action of government and
the care Of Of men Of influence Don't fail, |
pray you, 10 send me the article on pea culture.
for which there is al least a shadow of pro.
mise in your letter, for although it may be from
difference Of climate, and other reasons, it may
not be practised with The same economical re-
suits in the middle as in the southern States, i,
may yet be advanlageously extended north
ward Of its present line of cultivation, with
Conservative bearing on the land, and otherwise
prof,ably-for. as understand, this culture
exercises the same meliorating effec, in your
rotations. that clover does with US, being in like
manner TOO, favorably acted upon by Plaster of
Paris. .
AS 10 the "FARMER's library" under my
charge, OF which you are pleased to express
yourself so favorably, you will nave perceived
that the Editors chief reliance now for any
general and reliable reform in American hus,
ba0dry. that shall result in material increase
OF national wealth, except that which may be
In correspondence merely with increase of pop
ulalion, is upon the enactment Of such legisla-
tive measures, and the establishment of such
institutions, as shall ensure to the rising gene-
atoms of American cultivators, a more thorough
kno,cledge Of the principle Of agriculture! This,
sir, should be the basis, and the end OF every
system designed for the education Of those ,cio
are to lire by the practice Of that most impor
tant Of all arts. Not only would the attractive
ness profit and glory of agriculture be greatly
augm 1T d by education. expressly directed to
It's advancement. but the prosperity, all other
industrial interests Witch lean upon and sym
pahize with that fundamental pursuit, would
be in like degree promoted--hence all classes
are interested in its welfare.
Is it not amazing to see, judging, as we have
a right 10 do, by the conduct of their Repre-
sen,atives, how slow are the planters and far
mers of the United States in percciving that
science and specific instruction, can be made
10 do as much for the improvement of their art
as they have done, and are doing, more and
more, for periecung the arts of navigation,
manufactures, surgery and war 7 Behold what
ovcrpowerng efficiency, scientific direction
Crowded for by the Representatives. Of Tho Land
cd Interest,", has impaired to the spirit and ply.
steal force Of our army and navy! See how,
in another department of knowledge, science
has enabled the malhmetcian TO announc.
from his closet, with unhesita,ing confidence,
10 the astronomer OF another country, that his
calculations had revealed the existence of hi
lhero undiscovered planet, which must be found
il he would turn his glass in particular direc
ton Behold how the more than gigantic pow
er OF steam, has made plant tool in the hands
Of science, Tor the use and benefit of commerce
manufactures and other arts and again, wha,
science has done 10 advance the most innuen
lial OF them all, the art of printing; and yet
more wonderful. how i, has commanded the
power OF electricity. for the diffusion Of nielli
gen,e, with the speed Of the lighning's fash,
giving to the mind Of man thatfaculty Of hbiq
uy, and 80 lifting j, yet higher above that Of
all creation besides, TO a near approach and ST.
Multitude TO that of his Maker!
True, it must be admitted, that science and in
vanon, have done much, too, for the agriculture, in
he last fifty years, in some parts Of Europe, and Co.