Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-04-22
AGRICULTURAL.
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ADDRESS OF DIR. TIL ONIPSON.
To the Intelligent Farmers Of the present da,

We have received copy of the recent address
of DR.. James w. Thompson. now OF Whining
ton, Delaware, before the Agricultural Societies
of Talbot County, Maryland II is marked by
the same felicity of dicton and scientific re-
search which has always characterized the pro-
ductions of his pen. We copy the concluding
appeal to the sintelligent farmers Of the present
day :''-Southern Planter.
isTo YOU, then, intelligent farmers Of the pre-
sent day. does agriculture look to do for it, hat
mind aud steam are doing for every thing else.
Look, for example, at the power-loom Of Ark
wright and behold the wonderful Improvements
made even upon it, not only in England, but in
the United States, since his day For length
OF time manipulating of cotton was the only
method to separate the seed from the fibre the
ingenious and useful cotton gin was invented
and now turns out hundred pounds for one to
the old method, thus saving innumerable hands,
labor and expense. In our own department, al
though much has been done to aid agriculture
by inventive minds, both mechanical and pro-
fessional, and the revolving rake, the drill, the
reaping and threshing machines are getting into
use-much more aid do we need from science
to enable us not only to perfect our crops, but
to preserve and dispose of them to the best add
vantage after they are made. To do these
things well, the farmer Of this country must be
a man Of education and knowledge, ard he re-
quires as much, if not more than the manufac-
turer, the use of labor-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 in
vested To be convinced that he is too much
Ill the rear OF the progressive spirit and improve
lnents OF the age, which alone arise from educa-
ton, thought and Study let him behold the re-
suits of that preparation of training acquired in
tha iiifnry hpal ot Wpct Point brip tn,
an efectual and speedy termination the Mexi-
can war. Contemplate for moment the work
ings of the magnetic telegraph and those ocean
steamers OF the largest class all of which direct
ly and indirectly bear upon his interests, and
should cause him to reflect upon his own def
ciences. These, however, are but few of the
leading discoveries and Improvements of the
present day. How many are there of minor i'm
portanee i'll mechanics aud arts equally useful
in their place, to be brought to his aid hereafter
time alone can reveal.
siThough Liebg and Johnson have lectured-
Pennock, Hussey aud thousand improvers of
the plough have not labored in vain yet is the
field of agricultural science rich in resources,
and unbounded treasures to be developed by the
educated, energetic and enterprising farmer
'sOn an occasion like this, it would be nnpar-
donable to overlook the long and able services
rendered American agriculture by many Of its
practical husbandmen !; but who from their ed
ilcaton, standing and position in society, were
able to contribute largely to its progress and
usefulness. We this day acknowledge the debt
of gratitude we owe them, and the compliment
is enhanced, when we can affirm that agricul-
ture proudly ranks amongst her ablest and firm
est friends many men of this eicription n I'll the
professions and callings of life 70 those Of
you who are farmers from choice, their exam
pie is worthy of imitation, and confirms the me-
cessity of higher attainments in you, which have
shown so brightly and conspicuously in them
slt the grounds we have taken in this essay
for the loftier ambition and higher education of
the American farmer be tenable and firm, and
the positions we have assumed are true, are
they not deserving of your serions considera-
ton, and has not the time arrived when you
should test their value and profit by their exc
cution
'sConcludng then gentlemen, my appeal to
YOU in behalf Of those great principles and inte-
rests we have this day assembled to commence
rate, what aid may we invoke of the ladies of
our country i'll countenancing and promoting
the essential and praiseworthy reforms we need
sPledged, for whatever amount of labor and
of love--of kindly assistance and approving
snniles-it is the nature and inclination of wo-
man to bestow you have them all assured in
the history of her sex, and in her devotion as a
avifs, mother and daughter, from the creation TO
the present time. Bound to your fortunes she
has year after year, shared your anxetes in ru-
raj life and domestic care, often forgetting the |
troubles of her own department when partaking
of your solitude in seed time and harvest-and
yet how few of the honors conferred you reflect
back upon her, though like Aspasia and Come
iia of old, her virtues are her brightest orna-
ments, and her talents are equal to the affairs