The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-09-27
THE STATE FAIR.
address OF Hon. s. A. Douglass

enttc and practical farmers, ny anytnihg can
say on the subject of agriculture. The theme
is 80 vast, and embraces SO many coordinate
branches of science and industry that mere
enumeration Of these would far exceed the linn
its of this discourse
Agriculture has found larger field for the
exercise of the intellectual and moral energies
of man in this country, than in any other of the
globe. II has found here the conditions of its
fullest development and it's most ample success,
the greatest stimulus to exerrion, and the high
est reward. Our country embraces greater ex-
tent of territory, more fertile soil, more di-
versified climate, and above all far more intel
ligent, energetic and independent yeomanry,
than any other with whose agricultural produc-
tions it is now competing for the markets OF the
world. Our lands are cheap, aud not exhausted
by the cultivation of twenty centuries. Our
farmers are the owners of the soil in fee-slmple,
while the abolition of the laws of primogeniture
prevents the accumulation of real property in
the hands of few land owners. Oar country
is the first that has set the example OF independ
ent farming-the first that has restored agrlcul-
tura labor to that natural dignity Of which the
feudal systems Of the old world had deprived
in. Every tree planted by the American farmer,
every shrub, every flower he cultivates, every
hedge he grows, is his own, and deseends as an
inheritance to his children.
Agriculture in this country is highly re-
spectacle, and at the same time, most attractive
pursuit 1t is not only resorted to as a means
of acquiring an honest independence, but as a
dignifed and peasurable occupation by men OF
science and letters, by statesmen and warriors,
merchants and navigators, in short by all who
have gathered wealth, honor, and distinction in
other pursuits OF life.
So long as agriculture was the exclusive &C.
cupation of an enslaved peasantry, it produced
little more than the necessaries of life. 1t re.
NAMED mere sluggish labor; consuming mems
physical strength, and descending, with little
Improvement, from father to son, among those
who were born and bred to it. Happily for the
progress of mankind, the condition OF the agri-
cultural laborer has changed in many parts of
the world, and it ia no small source of pride AID
qualification for US to know that it is the example
of America which has wrought the change and
restored agriculture to its original rank among
the most honorable occupations of men. 1t is
now a profession calling to its aid science and
the mechanic arts, and, in its every branch, the
inventive genius of man. The farmer, instead
of merely following the beaten track OF his an
cestor, now brings to his pursuit his own pow.
ers of inquiry and investigation. Chemistry
teaches him the nature and quality of the ingre-
dents composing his soil, the species OF crop
most suitable to its productive power, and the
kinds Of manure he must use, and the proper
ton of cattle he must keep to make his farm
productive. As he acquires a knowledge OF
chemistry, of agricultural geology, and of the
physiology of plants and animals, his crops be-
come more certain, and his reward more sure
Armed with knowledge, the fertility of mans
mind has discovered remedies for the sterility OF
soils, and found means of guarding the fruits Of
his labor even against the vicissitudes OF eli.
mate. This il not all. The American farmer
possesses the means of multiplying labor, and
thereby its reward, by tie most ingenious and
effective machinery.
Great as the ratio of our farming population
may be, compared to that engaged in ether Pur
suits, il bears, yet, no proportion to the guam
tity of uncultivated lands. We have more soil
than people to render it productive; while the
very opposite ratio exists in the OLD world A.
manual labor is expensive and procured with
difficulty, machines are naturally called in TO take
its place without detriment to the laborer. The
machine does not deprive him of employment
it merely performs that labor for which he ha;
no time to spare, and without which his cultiva
ton would be confined TO narrower limits. Nc
country can award a higher premium TO the in
yentive genius of machinists than our own none
can boast of greater number of inventions ap
pcable to agricultural and the mechanic arts
Oar agricultural machines, especially. have ex
cited the wonder of the world; and along witt
our substantial achievements in that department
Of industry, il is perhaps no. unpleasant to have
extorted the testimony of England, on late oc
casion, to The ingenuity displayed by American
inventors. ..
The growth Of our country is marked by III,
advancement Of agriculture. Agriculture is sctt
ling our new States and territories; agrcultur,
gives employment TO our workshops; agricul
ture furnishes the products which form the bash
of our foreign aud domestic com rerce agri
culture, by supplying the bulky articles Of on
exports, employs the tonnage OF our ship build
ers, and in seeking markets for its increased pro
ducts, calls for the construction OF railroads and
canals The farms Of Western New York de
manded the construction Of the Erie canal, ant
the farms Of the Western States now call To-
it's enlargement As the Western States and
territories become settled, and agricultural pro
ducts accumulate, new railroads and canals be
come necessary TO furnish means Of Transports
ton TO the seaboard. The West is DESTROYS o
securing every avenue 10 the sea. Ii require,
the navigation Of the Mississippi and Of the 81
Lawrence, the canals Of New York, Pennsylva
MIA, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, and al the rail
roads now constructed or in process Of construc
ton from the sea coast TO the Mississippi valley
And oil these facilities will yet prove insufficient
to form adequate outlets for the constantly &C
combating products Of the Western farmers
New lines Of communication will be called into
existence, and il Is extremely doubtful whether
the capital and enterprise Of the country will b
able to keep pace with the increased demands fo
internal improvements
Thus agriculture stimulates every species o.
industry, and e the parent and supporter oftheu
all What, would ask, would be the present
condition Of our foreign commerce, had Il no
been stimulated by the increased productions o
agriculture! What the condition Of our mer
camille navy, in steamers and sailing Ships al
ready outstripping those OF the first MARITIME
nation Of the globe! IL is the bulky products
of agriculture that make up freights. and furnisi
the principal portion Of our foreign exchanges.
And il is fortunate for us, and for the preser
walton Of our liberal institutions, that agricul
ture enters soiargely into the political economy
of our country.
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