Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-02-28

new countries-that the black mucky soils, rich in
humus and covered with rank vegetation, allur-
ing to those in search of fertile lands, are by nc
means the most valuable. They have discovered a
hidden treasure in their poorest lands and ascertain
ed by experience that the region of which Beverly
the historian gives so unpromising description, ex-
tending throughout Eastern Virginia and Maryland
and Familiarity called the forest, because the last
to be cleared by ancestors is susceptible OF the
very highest improvement, and may be cultivated at
rate of profit the capital invested, almost beyond
credbility.
The most perfect husbandry is not always the most
profitable; and in estimating the state ofagrculture
among any people, should never lose sight OF the
circumstances by which they surrounded. The
neat garden-like culture of the Flemings and OF
some Of the most highly improved counties OF Eng
land and Scotland, only be attained, with profit
in densely peopled country. farm thus cultiva-
! ted among US, may please the eye crafty the
taste of amateur, but the proprietor will be
convinced that without other means of supporting
| family he must become bankrupt. Hence the high
pressure farming which occasionally see in the
neghborhood of our cities, is rarely successful
With the most perfect implements and machinery,
the finest and most fashionable varieties of live stock
and the most convenient, elegant and we'll arranged
farm buildings the proprietor is surprised that he
realizes profit his large Investments and aban-
dons agriculture in disgust, utterly unproductive.
The truth is, farmers cannot afford to sacrifice
utility to mere taste. With families to support and
children to educate, they under the necessity OF
| drawing from their estate considerable cash in
come and this only be done by combining econ
omy with efficiency in all their operations. In this
view of the subject, agriculture is by means
as bad as it has been represented. Oar farms may
not be cultivated in the Flemish style live stock
may not all be of the most approved varieties. nor
our machinery and farm buildings of the most ele-
CANT and expensive kinds yet venture the assertion
with entire confidence, that have in Maryland
and Virginia as good practical farmers and as prof
table farming, taking into view the capital invested
as are to be found in any quarter of the world.
1t is true population has not rapidly increased
| But can this be subject of establishment to any
well-informed and rejecting mind -? Should it not
rather be matter of wonder, that notwithstanding
the adverse circumstances have had to encounter,
both wealth and population have been steadily
progressive! Ours are almost exclusively an agri-
cultural people, of Ang Saxon descent, inheriting
that strong desire for the possession of land, which
distinguished ancestors. The policy of the fed
eral government, by throwing open, for settlement,
almost without money and without price, bound
less public domain, has encouraged and gratifed this
desire And those among us, without lands or the
means of purchasing it. have very naturally sought
independence by settling the public lands in the
West: whilst many of our large farmers have been
aured from their old homes and associations by pro-
misses too often faacious of greater profits to be de-
rived from the cultivation of the rich staples of the
South Nor is tins all < Westward the star Of en-
pre takes its way" and our young of talent
and education, deeming the field at home too
for their efforts, and burning with the strong desire
for political distinction, (Which, unfortunately, is
far too in the South, have rushed in count
less numbers to the West. Many of them, after a
brief and ftful struggle for distinction, fall under
the pestilence, that more terrible moral scOurge,
which annually Stays its thousands; some, for
unate, attain to eminence in their homes; whilst
Others after years of Absence return to the councils
of the nation crowned with honor, and throw into
the laps of their old mothers garland of fame, which,
although it may crafty generous pride, repays
none of the treasure expended in fitting them for
success in the contests of life.
The industry of a people who have not only sus-
tanned without ruin all these drains upon their re-
sources but, Notwithstanding them, have steadily
advanced in wealth and general improvement, can
not be unproductive If other evidence of this fact
be required survey for moment the crowded streets
of this great city cast your eyes the noble struc
lures, public and private. that adOrn it. Almost
within the memory of man it was poor collection
of wretched huts of fishermen now, it is great en-
porium, rvalling in enterprise the larger cities OF
the North, and pushing its commerce into every por-
ton of the globe. What created what sustalns this
noble city It may be answered, its commerce. its
manufactures, its arts. But what sustains them
Who are the customers of your merchants, manufac-
turers and artizans! If on any fine autumnal morn
ing you will look from your heights that beauti-
full expanse of water, far the eye reach you
will see it studded with the white canvass of the
wing messengers of trade which, pressing onward as
they near their port, crowd upon each other, like
trained coursers painting for their goal. They come
freighted with the products of agriculture from the
James, the York. the Rappahannock, the Potomac
and from the rivers and tributaries of your
own State, which with serve to swell the food
of this beautiful inland sea- and to pour into your
port the materials of rich and profitable commerce
Nor have the effects of improving agriculture beer
confined to Baltimore alone. Alexandria, Freder
icksburg, Richmond. and Petersburg. are steadily
advancing in population commerce, and wealth, anC
even Norfolk. though like {" beautiful Venice, the
queen of the sea- she has been compelled to yielC
the sceptre to active and powerful rivals, feels
its reviving influence, and is destined trust, at
distant day, to take that part in the of the
country which the unequalled advantages of her po
sition enttle her to claim.
We have in truth, Mr.. President, already accom-
plished much and have just reason for graduation
to the past and hope for the future. Possessing
peculiar advantages in climate soil, contguity t.
market, and command of manures and labor: we neeC
fear rivalry in the production of great sta
pies; and with faith, energy, and persevering dill
gence on our part, the most sanguine among us car
scarcely anticipate the triumphs that yet t.
achieve.
i Having taken this imperfect survey of our actua
condition and future prospects, | come now to otte
some practical suggestions for the further improve
ment of our agriculture. Here am in a great meas
ure anticipated by the admirable address delivered
your last anniversary, which is full of nstruc
ton many important points-especially the mos
/ essential of all, naanuf1ng-that | scarcely d.
more, without vain repetition of views well ex
pressed than recommend it to your careful perusal
I The whole theory of agriculture has been summed
up by an eminent Scotch writer in three words
. Keep your lands dry cledn and rich These word
are eminently suggestive and like faith, hope,
charity to the christian, open to the mind of the prac
1aa1f arr tho ubolo Hnll IF h d,,tioc