The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1848-02-24
request of the Society,"


january, 1913.
Published by request of the Society,"
! Gentlemen ofhe Rutland Go. agricultural Society:
| | have observed with no ordinary interest, the
origin and progress Of the Society whose annlversa-
ry we this day are convened to celebrate nave
seen strong minds aroused, attention awakened, and
decided indications of desire of Improvement and
reform in the practice Of husbandry. l am glad to
see any measures or plans projected, or any know
ledge communicated that may tend to lessen or
relieve in any degree the tolls and laborS OF the
husbandman, while they point out more sure and
easy way to profit and success.
rejoice still more in the assurance, that in this
movement, something valuable must be effected
for know that there is power in requsition which,
instead of yielding to impediments and n0uspcious
circumstances, will subject them to itself in the
prosecution Of its appropriate object O the people
of this nation, all will admit that the cultVators OF
the soil form the largest and the most important
class of community and that it is pre-cmnently
true, that with this class are men of Vi oous minds
shining virtues unwaverng tortitude, and lnvlncl-
BILE perseverance. In these qualities there must be
efficiency. These traits of character the husband
man has displayed in the peris OF the nation, IN the
conflicts of war as well as in the peaceful cultva-
ton Of the field. But while we admit the worth
and high desert Of this class, and the importance OF
their business which supplies the tesming millions
of the earth with the means Of subsistence the IN
principles upon which the art of husbandry is
based have never received that attention which
their Importance demands. The employment OF
Agriculture may indeed claim the highest antiquity,
and has occupied the attention of perhaps nine
tcnths of the human race in every age of the world,
vet the science Of husbandry is in its infancy. Its
principles are only partially developed and known;
Indeed but few of them are so clearly established
by facts and experiments, as not TO be liable to be
dsproved by future experiment and analysis Inc
principles of almost every other profession nave oeei
long since Investigated and scientifically arranged,
and vet is it not strange that those OF Agriculture
which surpass all others i'll point Of utility should
remain so underlined and unknown? Common
sentiment demands that the Lawyer, Physician and
Theolooian should devote number Of years to Sc
we're mental discipline and professional studies, and
vet those that are to become farmers are sent INTO
the field without mental culture, and knowledge OF
the principles of that profession to which they de-
vote their life and strength. Indeed the sentiment
is far too general that the cultivators OF the soil
need little knowledge, little mental discipline and
no light of science to guide and cheer them in their
aborotls and yet most honorable profession 1t IS
true our YOUTH to a considerable extent, ENJOY the
means of a knowledge Of those branches pursued IN
the common schools, semlnarles, and colleges, ana
that high attachments are made by some III NOSE
branches, and, yet, if you examine list OF the
text books in these different schools, you VIII
scarcele find one upon the subject OF husDahufy-
We have in abundance, our Medical, lhcologGal
and Law scheNs; but where in our state can inc
youth vi lilsii 'llia anu l ,.o Li77nsnlc to
discharge intelligently his duties as farmer II
we look over our county, how many youth snail
we find libcraly educated with reference to the
culuVauon u |ue 9oli Nv" Ny 10 ~ nIontod
engaged III othor prolessl3s smo",r VI to fornnr
not? Why is it that the cntiyator OF the soll Is
| deprived of the expanding, refining and cheering
influence of science, especially that of husbandIry
Wnich WIZ sulue nm II, 'i'' VIM ''' '''''
i'oors Will S'g''"' o"o''''
| In the remarks design to make, shat! attempt
to illustrate the Importance of Agricultural educa-
ton. and the appropriate means Of acquiring it
Confidence Of success in the cultivation OF the soil
depcnds upon Il scientific knowledge OF husbandry
Like all other sciences, Agriculture has its prncl
plcs, fixed and imnutablo in the nature OF things
With the agency of the soil, atmosphere, ram ant
snow in the production of crops, the scientific far
mer is acquainted. In proportion to the extent o
his knowledge will be his ability to account for tf
various phenomena developed in the progress o
vegetation BY knowing the constituents OF a par
tirnlar soil and also Of particular prOduct he CA
decide whether the soil is adapted to the product
for the same properties that constitute the product
must exist in the soil upon which it is raised. II
knows it to be universal principle in the science Q
Agriculture, that the constituents of production
mist ALWAYS exist in the soil, mauures, moisture
and the atmosphere that surrounds them. If an
nr,nertv of the product is wanting in the sources
vcoctation. the product must fail or be imperfect
developed Hence, we see the Importance ola know
nIcr Of the nature of the products, and the variou
anrIionces made to promote vegetation, in order t
adtlpt suitable kind of grain to appropriate soil
ICtbie farmer wishes to grow wheat, bya knowledg
Of the proncrtes of the soil and what constitute
wheat he can intcllirentV select the soil suitable
that nroInct. and when that selection is made, all
the soil receives its appropriate culture, the result
lie lnbors may be predicted with certainty I'll
seasons f,voring, he has all the assurance Of a
abundant harvest, as if it were waving in the tie
before him. III inc SANE way .l'e ugiielecs a.,
barrenness OF SOILS may DC hHoMn, 1nu "pP.oP,la
remedies at once applied, Guided oy VIC oaii
light the scehtlllc husoahul'n cSh ulsIlllc'G Po.
out the rationale OF inc rotation OF crops. ne Sc
clearly the nroad a ana -iGoc"S Pr,nGPt u,
lies at the bass OF thiS pracuce Al products a
not composed OF inc same constituents ana VIII
some products ABSORB some elehcnls rom tlo 50
Others abstract dlilerent ones, ana III the EoIauo
all the properties are .raWh upon, ana WINE y
product is waving III tlle Dclu, SOlc Ol 1