Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser., 1851-11-19

DELIVERED BEFORE THE
CHARLES COUNTY AGRICULTURAL
SOCIETY,
AT ITS FOURTH ANNUAL EXHIBITION, HELD ON
THE 18TH AND 18TH NOVEMBER, 1851.
Ladies, Mr.. President,
and Gentlemen of the agricultural Society:
There is no pursuit in this life which
more fully commands our physical and men,
tai capabilities, than agriculture. 1t en-
braces every production fit 10 supply our
wants, Of which the earth is susceptible
through the skill and industry of man; and
is, necessarily, subject to very many modi-
6ca.lons in its application to different eli
mates and soils. The mos, profitable view
however, in which the subject can now be
considered, is, in its immediate relation to
us, as farmers and planters Of Charles coun'
ty. Here. it is undeniabIe, that through q
long course Of time, it has been very much
neglected. We have, however, at length
become awake to the necessity of devo,ing
our bes, Efforts to its Improvement, as our
most important interest. If we would bu,
reflect, that to secure The necessary comforts
of ourselves and immediate dependents, is
only part of The duty assumed in our vo.
cation, but that we shall be answersble for
just contribution Of the food and raimen,
required by lha, large portion Of the hu-
man family engaged in other pursuits, and
that too with such jus, economy, as will
leave the earth improved, to meet the ne
cessary demands Of an increased posterity,
we would better comprehend The magnitude
and dignity Of our mission in organizing
this Society, we have agreed to associate
our stock of knowledge and practical expe-
rience, as means Of enlarging our capaci-
ty TO perform the great work before US
Li,lle as can hope 10 contribute, am here
to-day, IN obedience to your invitation. to
submit my humble views. Whilst there are
but few places, if any, more favored by ma
tural advantages, how is it lha. we see a.
round us, so lille advancement in agricul-
lure? With the singular advantages we pos
sess, if we do no, prosper, j. is plain that
some great error must lie in The way of our
operations.
Some suggest that il will be found in the
kind Of labor we employ. Undoubtedly it
cannot be found in this, as it may be clear
iy shown that we possess the bes, o! all la
Dor for our purposes. Hired labor, over
which we could have no o'her control
than the power 10 Withhold wages, and
The ordinary legal resorts, will no, compare
with that which we may direct at pleasure.
OtEcrs think that agricultural libraries, and
some new order Of education would cure III
our defects. The "American Farmer" which
costs but liule, and which you may carry
la your pocket, is a most valuable work,
and is the only kind of agricultural library
adapted to general use, in sparsely settled
country. The best par. Of all education,
Is that which may be acquired in The bosom
of the family, and is, bu. rarely, acquired
elsewhere. The example of parents is q
book which children read every dav, and
its lessons will never be forgotten All
other, worthy Of attention, will, generally,
depend on the value of this, and The means
Of parents to extend it; and we should be
unwilling to admit that we cannot profit by
these as we'll others. If we look iii,ie
further, We shall find those who think that
The great obstacle io our success in agrIcul-
lure is The cultivation of tobacco. Tobac-
CO Is one of our great staples, and before
We abandon It's cultivation, " e should care
fully and thoroughly examine into the truth
and force of the objections urged asains,
il. The main objection seems TO be that it
impoverishes the soil! The same may be
said of any other product which is remov-
ed from the land. But is it necessarily
more injurious than others. think it NAV
be clearly shown, that, grown in Jus. pro-
tIpn I'm, her Ill
arranged system, such will not be the
fact; and it may be made to contribute to
the improvement of the soil. If The ma
nures collected on the farm be applied in
good time To the most inferior portions Of
our land, and such onl y, with newly cleared
spots, be cultivated in tobacco, whilst we
shall thus establish a wholesome check on
production, there will be prepared in the
best manner food for other crops, with.
perhaps, as little loss as by any other mode.
and the land IN the finest condition for wheat.
Leaving these lands in future for grain, they
will progressively improve in course Of
proper rotation.
Our climate and soil are peculiarly a.
dapted TO three great staples, corn, wheat.
and tobacco, whilst most Others allow the
profitable production of but one OF two. II,
will rarely happen, when we have done our
part as good husbandmen, that unfavorable
seasons will operate alike injurious to all :;
and 1t does not often occur that the markets
for these will be equally depressed. By OBJ
serving just proportion in The production of
our staples, we may do much towards regu.
la''ng The markets, and by adhering to mixed
cropping we shall not be so liable to loss Il,
would certainly be unwise to depend upon
one or two chances, when, a, the same cost,
we can have three. For the purposes of
this life, the corn crop is one Of the great