The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-09-26

have not the presumption 10 suppose that
can enlighten this immense assemblage OF sol
entihc and practical farmers, by anything | can
say on the subject of agriculture. The theme
Is so vast, and embraces many coordinate
branches OF science and industry, that mere
enumeration Of these would far exceed the lin
its of this discourse. aeetNl
Agriculture has found larger field for the
exercise of the intellectu1 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 its most ample success,
the greatest stimulus to exerlon, and the high
est reward. Oar country embraces greater ex-
tent of territory, more fertile soil, a more di.
yersified climate, and above all, far more intel
ligent, energetic aud independent yeomanry,
than any other with whose agricultural produc-
tioas it is now competing for the markets OF the
world. Our lands are cheap, and not exhausted
by the cultivation of twenty centuries. Our
farmers are the owners of the soil in fee simple,
while the abolition Of the laws of prmogenture
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-
cnt farming--the first that has. restored agricul-
tural 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 cultvates, every
hedge he grows, is his own, and descends as an
inheritance to his children
Agriculture in this country is a highly re-
spectacle, and, at the same time most attractive
pursuit. 1t is not only resorted to as means
of acquiring an honest independence, but as a
dignfed 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 oc-
cupaton of an ensaved pessantry, it produced
little more than the necessares 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 is no small source of pride ard
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 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 lngre-
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 is not all The American farmer
I possesses the means Of multiplying labor, and
! thereby its reward, by the most ingenious anc
effective machinery
Great as the ratio of our farming population
may be- compared to that engaged in other pur
suits, it bears, yet, no proportion to the guam
tity of uncutivated lands. We have more soil
than people to render it productive while the
very opposite ratio exists in the old world. As
mans(A labor is expensive and procured with
difficulty, machines 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 has
no time to spare and without which his cultiva-
ton would be confined to narrower limits. No
country can award higher premium to the in
ventive genius of maehinists than our own; none
can boast OF "a greater number OF inventions APP
pcable to agricultural and the mechanic arts.
Our agricultural machines, especially, have ex-
cited the wonder of the world and along with
our substantial achievements in that department
of industry, il is perhaps not unpleasant to have
extorted the testimony of England, on late oc-
casion, to The ingenuity displayed by American
inventors.
J The growth of our country Is marked by the
advancement of agriculture Agriculture 10 sett
ling our new States and territories; agriculture
gives employment TO our workshops; agrcul-
ture furnishes the products which form the basis
I of our foreign aud domestic commerce agri-
culture. by supplying the bulky articles OF our
| 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, and
| the farms of the Western States now call for
| its enlargement As the Western States and
territories become settled, and agricultural pro
| duets accumulate, new railroads and canals be-
A come necessary to furnish means Of transporta-
ton 10 the seaboard The West il DESTROYS of
securing every avenue TO the sea. Ii requires
the navigation of the Mississippi and Of the St
Lawrence, the canals Of New York, Pennsylva-
mia, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, and all the rail-
roads now constructed or in process Of construcs
ton from the sea coast to the Mississippi valley.
And all these facilities will yet prove insufficient
to form adequate outlets for the constantly &C.
cumulating products of the Western farmers
New lines of communication will be called into
existence, and II is extremely doubtful whether
the capital and enterprise of the country will be
able to keep pace with the inc. eased demands for
internal improvements.
| Thus agriculture stimulates every species of
industry and is the parent and supporter ofthem
all. What, would ask, would be the present
condition Of our foreign commerce. had It not
been stimulated by the increased productions OF
Agricultural What the condition Of our mer
camille navy, In steamers and sailing ships, al
ready outstrppng those Of the FIRST maritime
nation Of the globe 1t is the bulky products
of agriculture that make up freights. and furnish
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 so largely into the political economy
Of our country.
As now pursued, II develops the mind and Thu
l. IL. Al. A. Ia