Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-10-20

IL would seem to be an objectionable neglect
of duty for me 10 pass by in my address, tho
producing classes Of the country. Those for
whose benefit ind encouragement this Society
was particularly organized. We have here seen
the products Of your skill, industry and enter
prise. Model specimens from your mechanic
shops, manufactures, and the hands Of your fond
wives md fair daughters They are such as we
should have looked for in regions more faine, for
things elegant, costly, and fashionable. With
feelings OF pride and pleasure we witness the
fruits of your gardens, orchards, and meadows;
Of your diaries, and sugar groves. Here too are
your stately Durhams, and elegant Ayrshifes;
the frsings Of your rich iocks, and model pork.
ers your pondcrous, and seemingly intelligent
oxen, with your noble horses Allthis looks like
Worcester or Rochester. But here we are amid
our green hills, and these are but indexes Of our
increasing prosperity The day of small things
is passing by, and we are taking proud stand
among the honored agricultural regions of the
country. II has been supposed that Vermont Is
situated so far north in the Boreal regions, has
soil so rugged, and climate 80 severe, that she
must necessarily be inferior as an agricultural
State. But this is a mistake. A distinguished
traveller from New York says al passed thro'
three counties in Vermont, (and have no rea-
son TO believe they were superior TO the remain
ing ones) and may safely say have never wit 4
messed any region Of our country, Of the same
extent, where the general condition. Of things
indicated more independent, intelligent, and
thriving agricultural population" And compar-
ing our premium crops with those Of other States
he says-"They would be considered remarkable
for any section Of the country. And they indi-
cato The spirit which peryadcs the farmers Of
Vermont. No where is more general enquiry
awakened, and nowhere are It's beneficial results
more universally realized" Such testimony,
from such source, is most hattering md en-
couraging. That the ambition which has been
awakened may not abate, nor your zeal and en-
lerpri:e diminish, but that you may persevere
in work you have so nobly begun, permit me
TO offer two practical suggestions which seem to
me yiially Important fli
!. Discard all rejudices against improvement
II has been supposed that n farmers knowledge
ard skin all came by intuition. That science
and information had no connexion with his cali
ing. If be had strength and endurance, (and
perhaps arithmetic enough to measure load Of
wood and keep bis moneyed acrounis) with some
actual experience he was amply educated for
his business. With the better class this delusion
has vanished, but many remain who detest shook
farming" aud sueer at MI attempts 10 introduce
agricultural impro,em ents. SUE do not appre-
bend the nature Of their calling. Science laws
at the foundation Of agriculture. The farmer
must apply IFS principles IL he would be qualified
for bis work. His business involves the laws Of
geology, botany and chemistry. BY geology, he
must Judge Of the character and quality Of the
different soils he sttempts TO cultivate; by Bota-
ny, he must discover what plants are best suited
to bis land and climate and by Chemistry he
must determine the quality and composition Of
ulanures, and their adoption to the nourishment
OF the different crops he proposes to raise.
do not affirm that every farmer needs to te
mastcr OF these sciences in their detail. Attic
il is evident, for the advantage Of all, some naust
Ie. Experiments must be tried, and principles
applied, that discoveries may be made, and then
those less informed may profit by the experience
and wisdom Of such as are better, How is Il
with Druggists ard Physicians? Do they all
need to be practical chemists? Must every one
be a Lavoisier, or Sir Humphrey Davy? Ger
tainly not. But, to deal in chemical compounds,
they must understand the terms by which they
are distinguished. And, TO compound and pre-
scribe them, they must know their nature and
properties. SOFT is with the farmer. This bust
..eas mas been reduced 10 a science. as sucn il
is taught in Agricultural Journals. 1t has It's
vocabulary, and its general, as well rs minute
principles. And no man can avail himself Of
the aceumulaiing light which every day is being
thrown upon this subject, nor can he read intel
lgenily, or apply practically the hints given in
every respectable weekly newspaper, without
being a scholar in his avocation. To make your
business successful, to the utmost, the profound
est knowledge must be employed to ascertain the
principles, the propositions, the afinities Of the
mineral kingdom; as well as the habits and man.
ners. qualities and properties, instincts and ten
denotes of all vegetables and animals Thus
only can every substance which We possess, or
can obtain, be devoted to its appropriate use, and
be Of Its utmost value When this is done. and
such discovery is reduced to universal practice,
these three great kingdoms, subjected to man,
will all be converted into instruments Of pleas
ure, Of riches of grandeur and power.
Especially is this necessary in long settled re-
gions, where the soil has been exhausted by pro-
traeted tage. Unless this policy is followed ,ag-
rculturA pursuits among US, will prove unsuc-
cessinl, and the territory we are now inhabiting,
our cherished homesieads, must be abandoned
for more exubcwnt soil. II is believed. how.
ever, that science will discover to us the means
and methods by which virgin fertility may aea;n
be restored, and our bleak hills and barren plains
made TO blossom rs the rose. ll l1 go
g. Sustain and encourage Agricultural Socis.
lies. Upon them depends, in an important de-
gree, the success, defeat, Of the farming inter-
est. Some even now question their utility. But
they will be found TO be either men who have
not enquired into the subject till they are prop
erly informed, or such as equally are opposed
"hu lINJuuictu against all reforms and improve
menls. Look at one circumstance, TO show what
has been achieved by This Society since its four
daiion. i single out this not because ] suppose
more has been done in il than other objects, but
betause what has been done is more readily per
ceNed) i refer 10 the improvement OF our
breed Of cattle, and the advance, in quality, Of
all kinds of stock. know not as my obserya-
ton is correct, but have perceived very gen
oral and increasing ambition among farmers in
this respect. And ] am satisfied that they are
vastly augnlenting their profits BY the change
The grand principle Of association, for the
achievement Of great and good objects, has Civ
en- no greater proofs Of It's potency than in the
history Of the Agricultural Societies of the
country. They bring farmers into beneficial
acquaintance with each other; they teach The
best methods Of accomplishing their common OBJ
jeetsi they expain the means by which soils ar
renovated, and great crops secured; they bring
to the knowledge of many the most valued in.
formation. They stimulate enquiry, they incite
discussion, and reward care and research. And
inally-they secure attachment between men Of
the same pursuits uniting them in ffaternsl
bonds conducive alike to mutual pleasure and
advantage. Lot then no feelings Of jealousy, or
envy, arise to distract YOU. Be not so selfish