The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-09-26


1872, he says cit viii be some time, fear, before
an agricultural society, with congressional aid,
will be established in this country. Wemust walk
as other countries have done, before run.
Smaller societies must prepare the way Tor greater;
but with the light before US, hope shall be
so slow in maturation older nations have been. !"
He mentions that an attempt was then maturing TO
establish State society in Pennsylvania.
In his speech President of the United States on
the Sth of January, 1880, when presenting To Con-
gress the great interests which merited their
sideraton, he said: "The advancement of agricu-
ture, commerce. and manufactures, by all proper
means, will not, trust, need recommendation"
This is construction given 10 the Constitution,
at the very commencement of the Government, by
the president OF the convention, III regard TO the
three great interests of the country; and, in emu
merating them, he placed agriculture the first,
which IL the position II should occupy; and, in
| truth, il is the basis of the other two.
In his speech of the 7th of December, 1916, he
brought the subject of agriculture fully to the
attention of Congress. The plan he submitted was,
To establish boards at the national expense charged
with collecting and diffusing information"
The committee appointed on this part OF his
speech reported on the 18th of January, 1877. The
first sentence asserts the important fact, g That
the encouragement agriculture is an object highly
worthy the public attention. as it constitutes the
most useful employment OF our citizens, is the basis
of manufactures and commerce, and is the
richest source of national wealth and prosperity"
In letter addressed to Sir John Sinclair on the
9th of March, 1884, two days after his second Prcsi
Dental term had expired, Cen WAsHINGToN said
&c | am sorry to add, that nothing final in Con-
gress has been decided respecting the institution of
| a national board of agriculture, recommended by
at the opening of the session; but it did not be-
lieve, proceed from any Discrimination TO the mei,
sure, but from their limited sitting, and pressure
| of what they conceived more important business
think it highly probable that next session will
| bring the matter TO maturity"
Mr.. Jefferson in his first inaugural address,
commended the encouragement Of agriculture, and
commerce as its 90 handmade"
My advice to you, and to every farmer in the re-
public is, to petition Congress until system is es
tablished which shall place this interest on foot
ing with the other great interests OF the country
which are fostered and sustained with prudential
care, and, in regard TO commerce, with great ex-
pense.
| Ascertain the sentiment and feeling of the
dldates for Congress this subject, and, whoever
is elected, disregard all excuses that there not
time to mature plan; unless incontrovertible evil
dence be produced that the time was not consumed
in needless debate, nor in adjournments from
Thursday to Monday, nor in daily adjournments
Immediately after the journals were read.
If the first application shall not be favorably con-
sidered, by concert, present the next with two mil
lions of signatures.
A national board will not dispense with, nor
persede the organization of county and State agri
cultural societies. These are now being extensive
ly established, and are patronized in some of the
States by annual appropriations from the State
treasures. Each has its appropriate sphere of ac
ton. The county organization brings the subject
Immediately before the people, they can conve-
niently attend and participate in the exhibitions
and discussions and seeing what others have done,
| by improved stock and mode of culture, they are
| prompted to vigorous action.
The invitation by your excellent Chairman Of the
Executive Committee to the farmers, mechanics
| and ladies, to bring something, was quite appro-
pirate, and IL has been responded to in manner
highly gratifying, giving earnest that you have
devoted yourselves to the work. There are speci-
mems of needle work and of hosiery, of family
| manufactures, that cannot be surpassed. The
names of the ladies who have excelled will be re-
corded on the books of the association TO be trans
| mitted TO posterity, and their work commended as
worthy of imitation.
To have the organization perfect, there should be
in each State State society, TO which the county
societies should send delegates, and TO which they
should report the industrial productions of the coun
| ties respectively during the past year. By this
course, your State society would be furnished with
| information from every section of Maryland, which
should be printed, and distributed among the sub
ordinate societies, and to the people of the State
| The State society should meet annually, invite
exhibitions from every branch of industry from all
parts of the State and the neghborng States; pub
lish their discussions, reports of committees, and
whatever else may be interesting and useful
A national board of agriculture and mechanics
should be established, 10 which the State societies
should report These reports, suitably condensed,
should be published and distributed, with such in
| teresting information this board might obtain.
| This board should impart To, and receive infor-
nation from similar societies, and from distin :
guished agricultuTists and mechanics throughout
| the civilized world
reasonable appropriation should annually be
made by Congress, which our patriotic and gallant
| navy officers would judciously expend in pur-
chasing and useful seed, suited TO our varied
climate, and animals superior TO our own, for i'm
| provement by crossing, and implements OF new or
improved construction.
Without any encouragement, and without APP
preparation, the officers of our navy have largely
contributed 10 advance the interests OF the farmers
and horticulturists, by procuring seeds IN distant
countries and distributing them in their own.
! The inventive genius OF our mechanics and citi-
zens has brought most Of our agricultural imple-
ments and tools TO high state OF perfection.
In 1855, General Washington imported two
| ploughs from England, because he found our own
too inferior for good husbandry. If they were here
now, 10 be compared with the ploughs presented to
day by Messrs Maxfeld, Mott & Co., Mr.. Coyle,
| and the plough known Browns, ] am sure this
| exhibition would not be devoid OF Amusement or
interest on that account, if none other.
The farmers Of this county have most imple.
| ments within their reach, improved 10 n state of
great perfection, and at moderate prices. Those
| of you who in the of the clumsy ploughs,
hoes, rakes, harrows grain cradles, scythes, and
their gearing, yokes, and all farming tools, ex-
anime the exhibitions in the agricultural stores and
| see the Improvements that have been made, and
their better adaptation 10 the TO which they are
put. You will find il 70 be great saving, in long
rum 10 keep up with the improvements Of the age.
II travel take the steamboat or the railroad
car; and why not benefit yourself by the improve
mcnts made in tools which you use every day.
The OK carts which have seen in Maryland and
Virginia not well adapted for the farm or road;
nor have seen a good tvo-horse wagon, or OK
wagon, come TO the Washington market
Nothing attracts the curiosity and wonder OF
northern and western men more than your vehicles,
| ox-yokcs, cattle, whips, and drivers. The loads
that come 10 market not well balanced. The
driver instead Of being at the eide Of his team, is
mounted on the top Of his load, and his weight
which not unfrequenuy is from one hundred and
fifty TO two hundred, IL added to the burden Of the
miserable oxen, which he should compassionate not
Oppress Exhausted, or all Of them lie down
soon they stop. The yoke nor bow is at all fitted
10 their necks, and tits subject Of admiration how
they work with them at all. These remarks may
be esteemed 20 be very trihng and unintercstng
but, To reform in your husbandry, you must begin
! TO reform in whatever contributes 10 lessen your
| expenses, and to promote your convenience and
profit. In my opinion there is not farmer in New
England whocould clear his expenses, however wei
| skilled he may be, and however highly his farm
may be improved, If he was compelled 20 your
cattle and utensils. OfcOros. speak Of the farm.
crs generally, and not Of those public-sprted gen
temen who are patterns worthy of imitation.
II IL a gratifying spectacle 20 see gentlemen whs
r. H.