The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-08-18
For the Southern Press.
MECHANISM No. XVI.-By Josiah HOlbrOOk.

Legislative enactments indicate the present
attitude and secure the future progress of ap-
piled science especially of agricultural and
mechanical science. Within the past year a
large part of the State legislatures have made
enactments for the promotion of scientific agri
culture and mechanism, or had those subjects
under consideration, probably for future enact
ments. In Florida bureau of agriculture was
ordained by the last legislature. In North
Carolina the governor was authorized by the
Legislature to procure general scientific explora-
ton OF the State. In Virginia an appropriation
was ordered of six thousand dollars annually,
for series of years, for the promotion of prac
teal science in special connexion with agricul-
ture and the mechanic arts. In South Carolina
effective measures are in ogress for developing
and applying the natural resources of the soil (;
also in Mississippi. In Arkansas scientific ex
ploration of the State was before the las legis-
lature, and operations for that object are in, pro
gress, if not by legislative enactment at leas
by individual enterprise and patriotism Sena
ter BoRLAND has been and is actively engaged
in forwarding this important object of State
policy.
! A board of agriculture, and an agriculture
school were commended to the last legislature
of Pennsylvania by the governor and secretary
of State. Anprofessor of agriculture is pro-
vided for Washington college, of that State
More than half a million of dollars have already
been expended for a geological survey of the
State of New York, and large sum for that OF
Pennsylvania, as also for all the New England
States. The development of natural re.
sources, and the promotion of science through
schools and otherwise, were prominent subjects
before the last legislature Of Missouri. Wis
consin and Iowa, by private scientific enterprise
by Legislative and congressional patronage, have
opened vast resources, both of wealth and OF
science, from their mines and other natural
riches Individuals of influence in Illinois and
Indiana, with aid bestowed or in prospect from
their legislatures, are aiming to have reading
lessons in agricultural geology and mechanism
introduced into all the schools Efforts are
making for the same object in various States.
Agricultural schools have been warmly com
mended before the legislatures of several States
with coidence of final success lfState schools
specifically for agriculture and mechanism
cannot be established, every school now exist
ing In every State can teach both agriculture
and mechanism by simple, direct, and effective
process. BY introducing some simple reading
lesson on those subjects, at the same time en-
couraging the pupils to make collections of
minerals connected with agriculture, also pre-
pare drawings both on agriculture and mech
anism, any school may, on any day or hour.
without legislative enactment, be changed into
school of science, both for farmers and
mechanics.
In aid Of such exersise, the Maryland Agri
cultural Society have offered premiums for
Juvenile collections, whether in nature or art
of mineral or vegetable productions of draw
ings of implements, Of vegetables or animals
or indeed OF anything showing juvenile improve
ment in science or art. Such specimens exhibi.
ted at any agricultural fair would doubtless be
properly noticed, and rewarded either by preyi.
GUS provision or otherwise
ExPERIMENT.--Someyo young ladies' in a school
IN New York sent 10 an agricultural fair held
the last season some specimens of their draw
ing. On the walls of the school-room are now
suspended, side by side, the drawing thus ex-
nipiteo, and diplomas awarded by the society to
the young artists for their industry, skill. and
Improvement