Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-09-26
For the Enquirer.
AGRICULTURAL
UNITED STATES

For the enquirer.
Mr.. BURKES REPORT--AGRICUL
PRODUCTS OF THE UNITED STATES
FOR lS47.
| am fully sensible, .lessrs. Editors Of the
importance Of the approaching election, and
you arc auqre that participate with my poll
lical friends in desiring the election Of the De-
mocratic candidates; nevertheless, l will, with
your indulgence, briefly refer to another subject,
more nearly related 10 Corn and Bacon than 10
Cass and Butler You know that medical men
recommend mixed diet as more conducive 10
health and longevity, than either animal or We
getabIe food exclusively. You furnish food not
for the body, but for the mind Of your readers
who, | am sure, are in fine health and Spirits
While they have no cause to complain of you,
they may desire momen,ary recreation, by
turning from the exciting incidents connected
with the contest in which we are now engaged,
and looking al the evidence of our agricultural
wealth and prosperity. intend TO send you no
essay on the pursuit of agriculture, but no.
tice, short and imperfect though It be, oil the
last report from the Patent office at Washing
ton Mr.. Burke deserves great credit for The
ability, industry and research which he has
evinced in preparing this document. lis con-
tents are interesting 10 all who ieel any con-
Germ for the advancement OF agriculture and Inc
mechanic arts in our country. No one can
peruse this report without feelings OF exulta
ton at seeing such evidence Of the immense
and varied agricultural products Of the Union,
and so many proofs OF The genius, enterprise
and skill of our fellow citizens. We have
ample cause not only 10 be thankful for the po,
itical institutions which have been transmitted
10 us, but for the many elements OF agricultural,
~ T.
forded by our extensive confederacy. The pre-.
diction long since made by Bishop Berkeley
when descanting on the Prospect Of planting
arts and learning in America, if not quite real
ized. is in the course of realization:
sUesinard the course OF empire lakes lis way;
The inrir first acts already past,
fifth shall close the drama will! The day;
Times nobIest offspring Is the last" .
This empire will be what il was predicted, IL
the spirit of Northern aggression and fanaici'm
be arrested, and genuine patriotism and love oil
The Union continue rs heretofore, in the asccn.
dant But 10 my subject.
During lS47 there were l,53l applications
for patents. shall refer 10 only few OF those
granted. Nearly twenty patents were granted
for improvements in machinery belonging 10
| mills Sc; among which is one for saw mill,
represented as possessing great perfection OF
nar,s and versatility OF action;' about thirty
patents were granted for improvements belong
| ing 10 lumber and machinery for working there
in: upwards of thirty for improvements con-
necled with carriages, wheels and railroad cars;
upwards of twenty f'r improvements in civil
engineering and architecture; several for in
movements in steam engines; others Tor iin-
provcmenls in the manufacture OF metals ioois'
Sc. The ladies WILL perhaps. be glad to learn
that patent has been granted for rocking
chair 10 which fan is 50 attached, that the
rocking OF the chair vibrates the fan.
TO enable him to make his estimate oil Inc
crops of the United States for lS47. Mr.. Burke
sought information from variety OF sources.
and as he possessed admirable opportunities OF
obtaining knowledge, his estimates are entitled
10 grca, respect. lie does not pretend to an al,
lu,c accuracy, and this could not be expected ny
,ny sane man. His estimates approximate az.
e cur as nearly as circumstances would au
,horze Us to anticipate, and sufficiently to gra-
try liberal curiosity, inc iT'om.ns Is W.. ,ha
gnrke's estimate Of the several crops oil the
Irn;,od States for lS41: