The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-08-31
THE REPU BLIC.
From Mapes's american Farmer
EDITED BY JAMES mAPEs.


was then distinctly understood 10 be department
for the encouragement, improvement, and protec-
ton of agriculture and other industrial arts.
Washington afterwards recommended similar
organization, and called ii Home Department OF
Agriculture.
Since that time our farmers have elected Repre-
sentatiyes in Congress- and have generally selected
them from among the lawyers, or men OF leisure
and fortune. These Congressman, forgetting thai
than four fifths of their constituents were en-
gagged in agricultural pursuits, and therefore not al
leisure TO busy themselves with the affairs OF gov
eminent, but preterring to leave their interests Ia
the hands OF their representatives, nave tei. lhe
interests of this large majority enureiy hegiecteu'
For want of Government counienance the farm
ers, as a mass, did not advance IN general know
ledge; and in humble imitation OF the very fault
institutions we're planned 10 aVoia' as existlhg
in other governments, and tor the correction OF
which Home Department was originally recon-
mended we have remained, as nation, divided
into two classes. The poetry OF equal rights has
been continually held out 10 our farmers, while the
reality has been kept beyond their reach But now,
saws the politician, have Home Department,
newly organized. By name, we have such an or
eanizaton but unless the farmers in their strength,
demand that the energies OF this department. be d.
rected in the right course, II will be like the play
of Hamlet, once performed during the illness OF
the principal actor, when the manager announced
that the part Of Hamlet by particular desire, would
be omitted
Home Department is not without precedent,
although il may require some modification com
pared with similar organizations under other styles
Of government.
We have schools for the army and for the navy.
We send commissioners abroad, continually, to
collate the tactics and improvements of other
tions; and every collateral branch of science,
nected with military engineering, Is fostered by
Government patronage. Eminent foreigners have
often been placed high in office, that we might
avail of their requirements connected with these
various sub departments. The pupils at our mill
tary schools are taught many branches of even
simply ornamental character, 10 hi them more
completely TO fill the character of gentlemen,
well as that of soldiers; and so il should be. Farm
do not complain al this, although they pay four
ffths Of the expense But when has commission
existed under Government for collecting lnforma
ton, either at home abroad, for the use of the
agriculturst! What organization has ever been
made to diffuse information on this all important
subject In what bureau at Washington do we
find an account of the organization OF the agrlcul-
tural colleges of Europe What proportion of the
farmers) has been expended for their benefit!
What part of the four or five millions Of dollars
that have been paid for fostering inventions in the
form of premiums and experiments, at the expense
Of government, has been applied TO inducing I'M
provements in the construction of agricultural I'M
plements, or improved modes of culture Where
are agricultural colleges What other civil
lied country is without them!
Why is not portion of the public domain given
the States for the purpose of establishing and en-
dowing agricultural schools and colleges! Why
has not our foreign ministers, consuls, &c, been
instructed TO collect the seeds and plants of other
countries, for distribution through members of Con-
gress TO their constituents,
Why is il that within twenty miles OF New York,
hundreds OF farmers have never seen globe drti-
choke, aulifo,or, while the markets of Europe
and even those of our own country contain them
Why should not these wholesome luxuries be dis
seminated throughout the land
How long has Theron ploug hshare been introduced
into our country, and how long since its general
adoption Has its not increased the amount of
agricultural product of our country fifty per cent;
and as the value of agricultural products
400 000, 900 value in 1915 have not been the
gamers OF larger amount by its use, than by any
other invention OF modern times, not even except
ing the Improvements in cotton machinery: Does
not England, at this time, by the use Of b-soil
ploughs, and other agricultural improvements, get
an average Of more than double the amount of pro-
duct from a similar of land And why is this
state OF things suffered to exist
Would not properly organized Home Depart
ment be able 10 suggest 10 Congress methods for
remedying these evils!
What would be the probable effect if the mechan-
zeal ingenuity OF the country could be engaged IN
improving farmers implements! Suppose that each
year. for the last ten years premium OF ten thou
sand dollars had been offered for the best improve
ssaAni in tl.s plough, any doubt that
chine would have been invented that would have
increased the amount Of products per cent?
And. If 80, would not this have added TO our per-
manent wealth tJfs.fo millions Of dollars per an
to increase OF mercantile activity, and thus To
national wealth! Apart from monetary considera-
tions, we live under a government OF lrrtffsn IdU;
and call upon our citizens to obey that law.
We know that, with the exception of such States
and districts az have improved modes of agricul-
ture, the plodding farmer cannot afford 10 educate
his children; and that until he Is enabled 10 advan-
tage by the improved processes Of more fortunate
localities, he cannot do so. The few States where
education is easily obtained must not forget that
her ar Ia 4
whole population cannot read the very law they
are called on 10 obey.
To remedy this evil is part of the legitimate duty
Of Home Department.
"a prosperous agricultural district is never with
out patriots TO defend it." Let our whole country
be In this position, and small but experienced
standing army would supply us with officers in
cases Of emergency; while educated agricultu-
raj community would find apt recruits, who would
be good soldiers, if 80 Differed, in one month.
We learn from the ploughing matches OF the
American and other institutes that differences IN the
shape Of the ploughshare alone will make saving
IN the amount Of power necessary TO move them OF
thirty-three and a third per cent. Let Home De
partrnent but make the best form known in a man
ner 70 be believed by our farmers, and they can
plough one-thrd deeper with the same amount %
bower Docs any well-mformed agrculturist, a
thi. day. doubt that such average increase ~
the depth Of ploughing would give an increase o
wealth in five years of than all the Legislative,
wisdom Of our representatives in Congress coulc
Let our political economists ask themselves the
question why France, with all the faults Of an un
stable government, and without the advantages
arising from profitable colonies, has been enabled
10 war with half Europe, and still be less in deb
than most other nationsy IL Is because she holds
The iroe trord under contribution for the products oil
her industry; while the fostering aid OF her roriot'
Home Departments of government enables France
not only TO supply her home consumption with ag-
ricultursl products, but you can find even her per
ishable products Of the field in any market Of the
world that can be reached within the time required
for it's decay. France has agricultural colleges OF
every grade We find the peers Of the realm act
ing as professors in these colleges and one OF them
requires of those entering az students, that they
should have previously passed through some other
college that their knowledge Of the adjunct sciences
might be such 10 FIT them for the higher study o
agriculture. II such system be found profitable
and proper where but few land owners, how
much more requisite il IL in country where every
laborer may till HE own acres.
Raise agriculture 20 the rank il is entitled 10 il
the scale Of fashion and the beat talent Of the lanC
will be exercised in its behalf
We beg our readers 10 look well to this subject
Let them appropriate single week each in III,
year 70 placing the wants Of the community fsirl
before their public functionares, and If they vii
not listen 70 them, then, with one accord. chang
them