Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-04-03
AGRICULTURAL SCIENTIFIC
ADDRESS OF DIR. THOMSON.
To the Intelligent Farmers ofhe present ass


To the Intelligent Farmers Of The present ass.
We have received copy of the recent addrese
of Dr.. James W. Thomson, now of Wilmington,
Delaware, before the Agricultural Societies of Tai
bot County, Maryland. 1t is marked by the same
felicity of diction and scientific research which has
always characterized the productions of his pen
We copy the concluding appeal TO the "intelligsnt
farmers Of the present day": :-!Southern Plantey.
"To you, then, intelligent farmers of the present
day, does agriculture look 10 do for it, what mind
and steam are doing for every thing else. Look,
for example, at the power-loom Of Arkwright and
behold the wonderful Improvements made even upoa
it, not only in England, but in the United States,
since his day. For length of time hand picking
of cotton was the only method known 10 separate
the seed from the fibre; the ingenious and useful
cotton gil was invented and now turns out hum
dred pounds for one to the old method, thus saving
fnnumerable hands, labor and expense. In our owA
department, although much has been done to aid
| agriculture oy inventive minds, both mechanical
and professional, and the revolving rake, the drilh
the reapng and thrashing machines are getting into
use-much more aid do we need from science to en-
able US not only perfect our crops, but to preserve
and dispose of them to The best advantage AFTER they
are made. To do these things well, the farmer Il
this county must be man ofeducation and knowl-
edge, and he requires much, if not more than The
manufacturer, the use ofiabor saving machinery and
all the aids and lights of learning, as he has more
at stake, heavier expenses and lighter profits in
general, according TO the amount of capital invested.
To be convinced that he is loo much in the rear Of
the progressive spirit and improvements of the age,
which alone arise from education, thought and STD
DIV, let him behold the results of that preparation
and training acquired in the military school al Wess
Point in bringing to an efecual and speedy tefmi-
nation the Mexican war. Contemplate for moo
ment the workings of the magnetic telegraph and
those ocean steamers of the largest class; all IL
which directly and indirectly bear upon his intep-
ests, and should cause him TO reflect upon his own
deficiencies. These, however, are but few of the
leading discoveries and Improvements ofthe present
day. How many there are of minor importance 10
mechanics and arts. equally useful in their place,
to be brought TO his aid hereafter, time alone will
reveal
"Though Liebig and Johnston have lecsured--
Pennock, Hussey and thousand improven Of the
plough have not abored in vain yet is the field Of
agricultural science rich in resources, and unbound.
ed treasures to be developed by the educated. the
energetic and enterprising faImer.
"On an occasion like this, it would he unpardon>
able to overlook the long and able services rendered
American agriculture by many its admirers, whS
have never laid claim to being practical husband
men; but who from their education, standing and
position in Society, were able to contribute largely
to its PROGRESS and usefulness. We this day ao-
knowledge the debt Of gratitude we owe them, and
the compliment is enhanced, when We can affirm
that agriculture proudly ranks amongst her abess
and firmest friends many men Of this description,
in all the professions and callings Of life. TOthose
of YOU who are farmers from choice, their example
is worthy of imitation, and confirms the necessity
Of higher attachments in you, which have shown %
brightly and conspcuOusly in them.
''If the ground we have taken in this essay fof
the ofter ambition and higher education Of the A
merican farmer be tenable and firm, and the posi-
tions we have assumed are true, are they not de-
serving Of Your serious consideration, and has not
the time arrived when you should test their value
and profit by their executions
"Concluding then, gentlemen. my appeal 10 yos
in behalf of those great principles and interests we
have this day assembled to commemorate, what aid
NAV we not invoke of the ladies Of our country 10
countenancing and promoting the essential and
praiseworihy reforms we need!
"Pledged for whatever amount Of labor and Of lovS
of kindly assistance and approving smiles-it 10
ever the nature and inclination of woman 10 besiow;
YOU have them all assured in the history other sex,
and in her devotion as aue, mother, and daughter,
from the creation 10 the present time. Bound to
your fortunes she has year after year, shared your
anxetes in rural life and domestic care, often forget.
ting the troubles of her own department when par
taking Of your solitude in seed time and harvest
and vet how few of the honors conferred upon you
reflect back upon her, though like Aspasia and Cor
neIia Of DID, her virtues are her brightest ornaments,
and her talents are equal to the affairs OF State"