Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-03-22


i;c Husseys reaper for instance. which was first
patented some sixteen years back, has only within
the last five or six years got to be generally known
and used get to the very district of country propo
sed to be embraced in this society, this single ma
chine would have saved thousands and hundreds of
thousands of dollars had it gone into use immediate
" after it invented and had large central ag
rcultura society existed there is little doubt but it
would as through the reports OF committees, and
opportunity of personal inspection its value would
have become known. It is not only what is seen at
these great fairs but what is heard that profits us
what IS learned from reports of committees and es
says, and also from discussions which should always
form part of the exercises to be continued through
out the exhibition It has been said
The patriarch pupil may be learning,
STILL dying, leave his lesson half unlearned"
And how true is this of agriculture, where the
great book of nature its mystery and its truth has
to be forever studied and science art, and all
temporary means examined and exhausted for ex-
pounding it Can any intelligent agrculturist doubt
for moment that, as mere matter of interest, a
matter of dollars and cents he would not be vastly
the gamer by an association with such society AS
matter of pleasure and personal qualification, he
must also seek connexon, unless, indeed he would
prefer to make his life solitude, and his avocatons
a monotony, in which day would describe the
cycle.
The agricultural interest of the country requires
concentrated and well-directed public opinion In
the absence of any organization to create and give
expression and direction to such opinion, literally
nothing has been done by the Government for agri-
culture 1t is at the end of sixty years without its
department or bureau, or hardly records enough
listing among its archives at Washington-if we ex-
cent few huddled away in corner of the Patent
ofice-to show that such interest agriculture
has existence among us. Yet agriculture Is the ba
sis and support of all other interests It's surplus
products spreads the sail of commerce. and starts the
shuttle of the manufacturers it feeds all and clothes
all 's like the heart, it gives Vitality life, and
tion to the whole body polite and let its mighty
pulsations be stopped or impeded and general
prostration follows"
1t is time the agricultural community appreciated
more fully their numerical strength and their moral
power.
In no country is the landed interest or the indie
pendence and position of the feehoder so little val
ued and appreciated as in own. Placed on his
own independent domain, away from the influence of
those luxuries that enervate the body and those
sociations that may corrupt the mind, with no bar
gaining, chaerng occupations to whet the soul for
avarice and dry up the sources of generous hospi
tality the firm friend of the State that he supports
by unequal taxes levied upon his lands always
sentative loving liberty and fostering and sustaining
those institutions of education and religion upon
which it most safely reposes, STILL although associa-
ted with a majority as strong five to one if he
does not himself actually defer to this minority in all
things, he is often looked upon occupying a
position neither enyiabe for its station desirable
for any emoluments it confers. For all this it is
true, he has generally most himself to blame. The
honors of the Senate the bar the responsibility
of professional and political e the wealth created
by trade are objects often proclaimed those most
to be coveted Yet how uncertain are these in the
pursuit and often how unsatisfactory in the enjoy
ment?
The difficulty heretofore has been to render agri-
culture attractive to the young and ardent aspirer
after distinction III form and hence the misap-
plicaton and almost total waste of talent and ener
gy to the country, as exhibited in our overcrowded
professions, the thronged arena of political life, and
the brokers' boards and stock obbng associations of
our large commercial cities.
But through these societies, and the ecat and dis
tinction they will contribute to give to agriculture
with the aid of literature by which this profession
well as others may now be studied-the esprit de
corps which is likely to bind the freehoders of the
soil in closer ties-our young of talents and ed
ucatinn likely many of them to be attracted to the
pursuit of agriculture and to prefer it's more sure
rewards its calm philosophy, its tranquil enoyments
that peace within and harmony to all around to
any uncertain honors the professions Offer or to
any mere sordid pursuit OF Mammor
But like the Grecian father, who annually took his
sons to witness the olympic games to inspire them
with emulation school them for the contest, they
should never fail to be in attendance at these ami
versary shows in honor and promotion of agriculture
AS school, then for his sons the American planter
and farmer should encourage these associations al
ways attending them himself as an active participa-
ting party, and not as an idle spectator.
Our great Washington gloried in the name of an
agrculturalis he realized and fully appreciated the
dignity of the calling nor was his great mind above
giving attention to all it's details. The world has
generally known him but hero and statesman
but we, his grateful countrymen should also cherish
his memory as the ardent friend and great patron of
agriculture. Amidst the councils Of cabinets, and
from the head of armies, he actually found time
(sueh his love of agriculture to direct in gen.
eral way, through correspondence with his over
seer, the tllage of his fields at Mount Vernon and
also to conduct able correspondence with Sir John
Sinclair on agricultural Subjects the fruits of which
his countrymen are now en- oying.
On the very subject of these agricultural associa-
tlons and institutions, Washington thus forcbly
pressed himself in his last message to Congress =
This species of establishment contributes doubly to
the increase of improvement, by stimulating to en-
terprise and experiment, and by drawing to COM
centre the results everywhere of individual skill
and observation and spreading them thence over the
whole nation. Experience accordingly has shown
that they very cheap instruments of immense
national benefit
Can the rural population of these old Atlantic
States with so many thronging memories connected
with the past better testify their gratitude to the
Father Of his Country better serve that beloved
country ITSELF than by emulating the zeal of this
great and good man in the cause of agriculture a.
Washington would have been one of the first in time
of peace to join Agricultural Society," as he was
in war to join the standard of his country One of
his humbest virtues we might at least seek to imi-
tate.
But not only interest and patriotism and the love
of calling should induce to forward and
join and support this association but and
| alton invite to one gladstone day of jubilee. The
planter and farmer not without their cares tolls
and anxiety. Now the seasons are unpropitious
now the insect attacks his crops but skill energy
and perseverance may do much even here, and these
are exerted to the last degree. Again. the harvest
has to be safely secured the earnings of the wear de-
pending upon it. making the season one of watchful-