Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-05-28
AGRICULTURAL SCIENTIFIC.
ADVANCE OF AGRICULTURE.

ADVANCE OF AGRICULTURE.
Our readers will be surprised TO learn how
much is being done by European Govern
ments for the advance of agriculture, while
our own general and state governments are
supnely inert on this all important subject.
Every political economist knows that an
increase OF production adds permanently to
national wealth. and hence the English Gov
eminent are very ready to lend iudicious
aid to their farming interest. As an exam
pie by long experience it has been ascer-
tanned that by thorough UNDERTAKING.. an
acre OF land viii produce one-third more
nett results TO the owner, and therefore the
government have enacted laws and appro-
priated funds to be used for that purpose
Several appropriations have been made du-
ring the last session of parliament, one of
winch IS 100000 sterling equal to So
oOo,0OO. This sum is placed at the dispo-
sal OF commissioners, who loan it to appli-
cants on the following terms; The farm of
the applicant is first valued, and then loan
Il made to him on mortgage to be applied
TO Undertaking his land under the inspec-
ton OF the commissions. This MORTGAGE is
only active on the increased value of the
farm by underdrainage. The borrower is
required to pay 5per cent. on the PRINCIPAL
and thus in 20 years both interest and prin-
cipal will be paid off; and the first instance
has not yet occurred where the increased
products OF the land have not been sufi-
GENTLY great to enable the occupant to meet
these payments. Should the borrower fail
70 meet the requirements Of the mortgage
then the farm may be sold, but before the
government can appropriate any part of the
amount toward the liquidation oftheir mort
gage, they must first pay the borrower the
amount at which the farm was valued he
fore being underdrained, and lone expert
ence has established, that underdrained
farms will always sell for more than the cost
OF Undertaking added to commissioners
valuation.
In addition to this loan of ten millions,
the government have appropriated ST OOO,-
QVO for similar purposes in ireland, and a
further sum of $4,000, 900, if the commits
sioners shall think advisable.
Many other acts have been passed for en-
closures, general public drainage, &c., all
requiring appropriations from the public
treasury. In addition to these appropria-
tons by the government, we find half col
umn OF advertisements in the .Mark-!ane
Express OF chartered companies, with capi-
tols varying from $500, 600 to So, 900, 600.
offering to make loans for understanding of
land IN terms nearly as liberal as those of
'ered BY the government. We find also the
reports Of County Agriculturists paid by
County Societies, whose business is to visit
the different localities, deliver lectures, and
give gratuitous advice to farmers. Schools
for giving instruction in Scientific Agricul-
ture are being established in almost every
township, and the wisest and best men in
the land are giving their aid for the general
advancement of Agriculture.
Necessity may truly be said to be the
mother OF invention; but in our country
itseemS as if Mrs. Necessity was away from
home, and her offspring had gone to sleep.
Why Is it, that while our mechanics are
busiiy employed IN the application of the
sciences to their vocations, that farmers a.
lone viii suffer theirs to remain without i'm
Proyement' The exceptions to this rule
are really rare, nor do we claim from our
legislators any amendment.
we md our government ordering new
steam vessels almost monthly, for the mere
purpose OF testing new inventions in steam
machinery, and the whole mechanical inter-
ests OF the country using their influence and
interest to press forward the appropriation.
More than one hundred thousand dollars
have been spent for improvements in the
telescope, and not one cent has vet ever
been appropriated for improvements in the
pillow. Within the last twelve months France
has endowed $50 Agricultural colleges and
academies, while the politicians of the Uni
ted States have told the farmers that they
were the bone md ssiinew of the country,
and paid nine-tenths of the taxes, in con-
slderation of which they had better attend to
Their business in the old way, and vote for
them again at the next election.
Prussia, and indeed all the continental
powers, are organizing institutions for the
advancement of the agricultural interest,
and while all the world beside are busy in
the good work, both our general and state
governments fear to act with promptness
and decision. The hackneyed excuse that
we have so much spare land will no longer
avail. Our whole sea-board, and indeed
our middle states, do not produce half the
grain crops of thirty years ago. The great
majority OF our bread-stuffs are brought from
the west; and even the wheat growers of
the far-famed Mohawk and tennessee Val
icyS are driven from the field by western
competitors. One competent lecturer on ag-
riculture, visiting the different counties in
either OF the Northern Atlantic States, and
delivering free lectures on agriculture
would double the crop in five wears. Let
those who doubt it, spend single hour with
us, and If We cannot produce evidence he
You'd cavil to any unprejudiced mind, we
will break our pen and cease to urge our
readers to increased exertions.-Work;ne
Farmer.
CURIOUS FAcTs.--The claws, feet. and
antenne OF crustaceous animals, as the lob.
ster, and the limbs of the .9rachania, or spi-
ders, are restored, when lost, by fresh
growth Of these organs. If the head Of .