The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-09-24
THE UNI0N WASHINGTON WEDNESDAY MORNING. SEPT "a 1861

have no manner of doubt that the eamels which our
government is about to import from ARABIA -, 'ne
portaon of military stores VIII soon become aomssu-
Gated in the sterile regions and stepes OF ihc fa west
They may in time prove washable auxsfy 20 our
commerce, and very convenient, thoush eonp ~,
lively slow means Of communication between uS'ah' 'e'
The camel Of Arabia s 10 all intents and purposes.
domestic animal, fulfilling the joint uDcons o. M U.s.
the OK, and the sheep and will no douDt en'ei la'Sey
into the domestic economy OF our people. oanens 90,
and the hair OF the Angora goat-an animal WHICH y
hope TO introduced into the Allegheny ana hooA
mountains-ae the material employed IN many OF
the most valuable tissues OF the East and there is no
doubt that with the same raw material al our
command, and with the aid OF suitable mashlneiy our
ingenious and enerpnsing counymen would In due uihe
furnish similar II not better iabrics.
mns now apologize for briefly introducing topic not
egtmatey connected with agriculture, and not PoPeny
coming within the scope OF your society would gadiy
avoid it, its introduction not IN some degree heces
sary complete the cycle Of IDEAS which has suggested
these reflections close my remarks without re-
iening to the mineral wealth OF ouT country.
America is rich in minerals as in soil, and produces
all valuable and useful metals in the greatest abundance
in various parts of New England and New York il ex
tends throughout the whole State OF Pennsylvania, ana
the mountain regions of Maryland. Virginia, and North
Carolina exists in large quantities in The States OF Mis-
souri,, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and Illinois, and on
Lake Supeor furnishing everywhere the levers OF civ.
iliza.ion to an industrious and energetic people
vania parts of Maryland, Virginia, North Carolinn,
Georgia. Alabama, Tennessee. Kentucky, Missouri Iowa,
illinois, Indiana and Ohio, and covers an area larger
than the United Kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland
Lead and zinc found in almost every portion OF the
United States but IN nexhaustibe quantities IN Illinois,
Missouri Iowa, and Wisconsin. Copper is found to
extent in various parts OF the Union but the great copper
fields the borders OF Lake Superior and IN New
Mexico Gold aid silver found in California Oregon
and New Mexico, and along the range OF the Allegheny
mountains in Virginia, North Carolina. and Georgia
One great peculiarly OF the mining regions OF Amer
ca-and especially those OF COAL iron, and lead-con-
sss in the remarkable fact that the mineral is found in
large quantities. beneath the richest and most productive
soil-promsing at the lime rich harvest to both
the miner and the husbandman. We not only produce
the minerals necessary the construction OF oos agr
cultural implements, and machinery in an advanced state
of industrial development, but also the precious metals
such abundance as will eventually enable us to egu
late the standard of values and to control the commerce
of the world 1t is maintained by some writers on the
subject that mining, not branch OF agriculture is at
least kindred pursuit The agrlcult9rlst draws from the
the miner delivers her OF the treasures long accumulated
in her lap. Mining, like the pursuit of agriculture,
the hardens the body and renders capable
of great physical exertion A know edge OF mneralogy
geology and chemistry is Indispensable TO The successful
pursuit of both branches of industry and will enable the
farmer to look for new of wealth beneath the
soil he cul,iva,es; while il will induce the miner
sonally his attention very probably 10 the exte!
nal surface OF the vaults that cover his mining opera
tons The division of labor has no doubt its advantages
regards the mere cheapness OF productions but i Is
less conducive to the development OF the mnd and IS
rarely applicable TO sparsey settled country:
In thus cursorily reviewing OF the chief articles
of agricultural and mineral productions which form the
basis OF foreign exchanges, and regulate in great
measure also, the domestic exchanges of the different
States OF own conederacy, The question may arise
how far the establishment OF proper institutions, the
Improvement and better administration OF those already
in exercise, may aid in the dissemination OF knowledge
among the great body of Industrious and independent
cultvaios OF the soil Inc subject IS an important
and appears thus far, to have excited but little public al
tention.
1t would seem, too if diplomatic and consular
systems organized simply in regard TO the great in
erests of commerce and manufactures; but could they
not be made equally subserven to the mother interest
OF agriculture and It's coordinate branches While
consuls report the commerce and manufactures of
foreign countries, would il not be well TO require them
report also the different agricultural productions OF
those countries and the improvements which from time
to time may be introduced in their culture Might they
be made furnish detailed accounts OF the different
modes OF cultivation, the manner of preserving crops,
the agricultural implements in and the various kinds
OF manures resoried to as means OF preserving or
storing soils? Could they not be induced to report on all
the variety of fruit, shade, and ornamental trees and
forward specimens OF seeds. plants roots, and bulbs for
grauitous distribution, accompanied by proper directions
for their use' An occasional paper the domestic ami
mails of different countries and the mode of breeding
them and Improving the breed, would be particularly
cepabe, should the official business of the consul admit
OF such useful and interesting digressons.
These reports would not be expected to be made quar-
terly are those commerce and manufactures. An
annual paper would comprehend all that is desirable
and would certainly be great tax the consuls time
and patience. In many instances all the materials for
his report would be readily furnished hun by the otcia
already collected in printed form.
BY such simple means vast amount OF information
from all parts OF the country could be collected which in
your hands, and in the hands OF other corresponding
cialions would be most pow eriu auxiliary in the dis
seminaon OF agricultural knowledge. And would, in
connexon with this subject respectfully suggest the pro
preiy OF establishing great NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL
Society, which, in immediate communication with the
agricultural societies in the different States and Terrific
rles OF the Union, and with the Patent Office some
other appropriate governmental bureau might easily POS
sess itself OF all the necessary information present
its annual report elaborate and view Of
the agricultural condition OF our whole country
That society would also be the proper medium for
ceivng the specimens of seeds, plants, bulbs, &C. for
warded from foreign countries by consuIs together
with the collections which, under existing regulations
our navy is in the habit of making. and of distributing
them among the different States and Territories.
The National Agricultural Society would also be the
proper channel oil communication and of efectng az ri
cultural exchanges between the several local societies OF
the United States and the various agricultural and learned
associations in foreign countries. II would, in fact be
the great centre OF agricultural information, which would
dfuse knowledge in thousand different directions
the whole engt and breadth of land and to which
every farmer could confidently apply for advice and in
strucon any subject connected with his profession.
And here may pause to inquire whether the Smith
soDan Institute at the seat OF the national government
might not, o6ie,o, becyme collaboration and efficient
sistant Of the National Agricultural Society in all its
literary and scientific branches Might the Institute
aid the Society in its periodical publications. and in
junction with II, dtuse the greatest amount OF useful
knowledge among menu Surely the phiIanthropic in
tenlon OF the worthy founder OF that institution could
than by making il thus subserve the great interests of az
ricuure in all its branches Whatever its present
fulness may be- 1t perform higher duty than
tribute IN The most efficient manner 10 the perfection of