The Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1850-1852, 1850-07-04
From Tie Patent Office Report.
A GENERAL VIEW OF AMER.
CAN AGRICULTURE.
CHAPTER !.
THE POSITION or AMERICAN FARMER

THE POSITION or AMERICAN FARMERS.
SECTION |. Every one that eats
bread, or wears cloth ma1c Of wool,
cotton, or flax, has direct personal in
terest in the results of Tillage and
Farm economy. Hunger and naked
ness are wants of the most pressing
character, and Providence has placed
them alike in every human being. In
civilized communities all are equally
dependent on successful agriculture for
the means of subsistence. Let the soil
be permanently exhausted. or fail but
for year TO reward the labor Of the
husbandman, and no language can ade-
quately describe the intensity Of the u.
niversal suffering that must ensue.-
Hence this branch of national industry
has peculiar aud paramount claims to
the earnest attention and the fostering
care Of all governments which are re-
gardful Of the public safety, and sus-
tained by common sense.
American agriculture offers for con-
sidcra,ion several interesting and strik-
ing features. Prominent among these
is the fact, that nearly three fourths Of
the labor and capital Of the country are
employed in this single pursuit. Asri.
culturists are themselves large major
ity Of the voters, taxpayers, and con.
sumers Of all domestic and foreign
goods.
Under their republican system. they
arc mainly responsible for the good
government Of each State, and oil the
Union. II their public servants, whcth-
er in Congress or State Legislatures
. fail 10 promote improvements in agri'
culture as recommended by President
Washington, The fault is not in their
representatives, but in those who neg
lcct to ask for such aid rs government
may properly grant.
American farmers enjoy privileges
SUPERIOR to those Of other nations, for
improving both themselves rs class
and their landed cstsies, upon the high
est capabilities of man, and OF The
earth which lie cul,ivales. This re
public profcrs to rural art and rura
science more than ono thousand mil
lions Of acres of aV ailable farming lands
of which as little or as much may b'
subdued and improved, as wisdom shal
dictate. There j. neither compuI-so'
nor restraint IN either direction. Will
this entire free dom OF ar,iou is associ
aied degree Of security for life, liber
;iy. property. federation Of religion, an
exemption from orerous 'ases, ~iihou
parale! in the history Of the world.
In extent of sea coast, and fxc'litie
for river, lake, and canal ma, isa,'or
fo- variety Of climate, soil, vegeiabl
and animal products, for indefinite an
almost unlimited comercisl, manufac,u
ring, mineral, and hydraulic resource
no other country equal, ,his. Ther
Is some danger, however, that We sha
prove unworthy ofso great blessings
iha, wc may fossr4 the seorch ~Lese
} they come sbass tia peculiar adra'
, isses and the exalted privileges wbic
( ~e possess, and biindiy cling TO u
harissioss pracsice Of i.Fsserishiss ii
: sol, to the iscsieslsLle iajusy a eos
. ing eeasrsiionx. Issieal sfeshssssis
, niliioms Il seres without ssy adeQaa
reconpenss, iastead of looking loagins'
Z TO the wilderness Of forest snd pvair
q a, The West, we should search close