Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1849-02-26
VOL. XXVII.--NO. Is.
REPORT


egates nsructing them enquire into the exrediency
of "apponting Agricultural Chemist und Mineral
ogSt the plan of the State of Maryland such 9TH
er plan as may be suited to the wants Of Virginia."
have had tie same under consideration, and beg leave
respectfully to make the following report
Your committee satisfied that agriculture ranks
first in Importance among the pursuits of mankind. Ii
supplies our most urgent wants. and contributes the
material which, under the Transforming hand of art,
ministers IN ways lnnumerable well being and
happiness 1t Is Is the pursuit in which the great ma-
ory of the people Of Virginia are engaged and from,
the character Of climate and SOIL well as our So
cia condition. it must continue to lie. 1t becomes
IAN object of high interest therefore, to the representa-.
tves of the people to contribute to its advancement by
such means may be in their power
The progress Of science within the present century
has eXerted remarkable influence upon nearly all the
arts life. 1t has abridged human abour by substi.
tutng the forces of nature it has economical time
and expense by teaching the principles upon which
Interpretations Of depend and it has elected appli-
cations Of natural forces that producing results
which future generations only can duly estimate Ag-
rculturc that art which is "the parent and precursor
Of all other arts has been among the last profit by
the discoveries Of science. In England Germany and
France, however, unwonted interest has been ava
kened on the subject within the last few years, ard
the productive powers Of the soil have been increased
In corresponding ratio. Even in country and in
our own State, agriculture is beginning to reap the
benefits Of enlightened observation and experience:
fertility to extensive districts. Observation may teach
the value of certain applications the soil and of par
tcular modes OF cultivation in given loca ity dis
trict but experiment may and generally will prove
that processes Of amcoraton which produce the most
beneficial results upon SOIL not equally well
dapted to another 1t belongs to science to enquire
into the nature of the soil the adaptation Of its con-
stituents to the growth particular plants the forms
Of comh nation in which these constituents exist the
means by which they be eliminated and present.
cd A.
vegetation to suggest new methods Of ameioration
and in general to deduce the principles upon which
fertzng agents and processes depend and to furnish
practical rules to guide the farmer in improving his
lands.
The applications Of geological ard chemical science
to agriculture though Just beginning attract atten-
ton, have yet produced results which give the most
cheering promises for the future Among the points
already well ascertaned by scientific enquiries, are
the general character of the soil resulting from pre-
vaing geological information, and the mineral con-
stituents of many plants determined from the analy
sis of their ashes From these data the adaptation of
given soil to particular agricultural products may read
lily be determined and the MEANS if any, of improving
such are barren, Indicated Of barren lands some
may be improved amply to repay the outlay
'front.' their locality other causes in the pre-
sent state Of our knowledge be rreclamabe. Science
often point out their differences, and prevent the
waste Of time and capital in making experiments which
may altogether fail of success, at best mperfectly
accomplish the desired end.
Every agrcuturist understands the importance Of
the rotation Of crops and Of the allow Chemistry es-
ablishes the principle upon which their beneficial eff
fects depend. The plant will rarely flourish in
the soil for series of years i'll succession because
the constituent ament supplying its heathul growth
becomes exhausted, to be furnished in form
suitable for assimilation But the soil may still retain
abundance of materials for the supply of plants of
other families. Tie agents adapted to the improve
Of the soil, whether in the form Of animal vege-
]
such drainage, irrigation, burning, and admixture
of the surface with the sub soil by deep ploughing,
furnish subjects Of investigation Of the highest inter-
to the practical farmer. 10 these much scientific
enquiry has of late been directed and great deal Of
valuable information has already been accumulated.
As processes of amelioration must often be depend
ent upon changes in the chemical constitution Of the
SOIL is evident that science must appealed to for the
rationale of these changes and for the discovery Of
rules principles to guide the agrculturalst in eco
nonical methods Of bringing them about. The light
which existing chemical knowledge throws on the nat
ural processes of vegetation and the artificial meth
DDS practical agriculture has awakened wherever it
has spread hopes and interest IN the cutlva
tors Of the soil Every day is adding to the number
and value Of its revelations. But our aGrculturlsts
cannot, without assistance reap the benefits OF them.
The great majority are deficient in the knowledge of
those principles which their most important opera
tons depend and the most intelligent find it impossi
bic to keep pace with the advancement of science
which the protested and devoted chemist can scarcely
overtdke.
Your committee therefore, respectfully recommend
to the House Of Delegates follow the enghted FORE
cast of the State of Maryland in appointing by law an
Agricultural Chemist for Virginia under such regua-
ons may be suited to her localities and wants, and
in such to dispense to the farming inter-
throughout the State equal participation in the
benefits of his labour.
N Your commmittec are moreover satisfied that the
duties pertaining to the office of mineralogst are SO
intimately blended with agricultural chemistry, that
the duties of both offices, by the person, will
cost but one exploration of the State and will add
nv much to the abors of the chemist whilst the nvesti-
cations and reports Of competent mineralosst must
disclose facts of ncacuable Importance Virginia IS
now urged by every consideration Of duty and inter-
est to afford facilities for transporting her varied min
era sources: their depth and extent imperfectly
known; the facilities proposed, If carried out must
soon lead to their full developments and in order that
our citizens may make Improbable OUTLAWS of their
and the public treasure expended IN lllJudged
enterprises your committee deem it Of great impor
lance to the State tins tme to invoke the aid OF
scientific enquiry that subject and that they there
fore recommend that the agricultural chemist perform
also the duties Of mineralogist.
Your committee propose to present some brief
outline Of their plan with the means at their COM
mand they cannot divide the State of Virginia. to
produce perfect equality in territorial limits and pop
ulaton, do they deem it necessary sufficient ap-
Proclamation to equality will be found in making four
divisions Of the State: the tide water region being one
the middle country between the head of dewater and
the Blue Ridge being another; the valley country
between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny being another
and the trans Alleghany region another with pro-
vision that these four districts shall ascertain by lot
(under the direction Of the Governor and Council)
numbered from one to four, as they may respectively