Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-04-22
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I seize the occasion iii one, Oh W ncmbers of
well in my behalf that OF the @ consider the
the COMMITTEE earnest hope mat you ith our agcu
Resolution favorable light, and unite ~ carving out
| tural friends in your portion OF The 3la"' "
the audable objects Of the Committee. :, impress upon
~ ,hs w,na and in,nornnce of Agriculture III rs esc.
upon the moral social and poiltcu' Jyt would be az
eminent and People. 10 vindica'e II ha noe in which we
o .h ba,s e U il is 10 be presumed who are now
disposed doubt that in our rho n1osnrry and
ohS 'ne acep ahu @ nunry must forever eposc And
yet of its low and depressed sa'e rbs,nndinn The delu
ly need any admonon from me Weld thai The Aeri
J ~ Nm. ST.. ;s in ktrrny and foarstsng state
But thew who Tell us this decelvins .helisgses
NAV I ,o rnse in particular portions OF virginia, anu
may DC .e cuse IF skliu cuvaors admit, but that
is at all general venture 10 S gen! a ,h, we
cessury look throughout s orv ,nv If on sister States
a. tio 70 our Field Husbandy but that we are retrogra,
dino randl and must continue TO DO So unless prompt anu
,1e,na no taken arrest 1t. And sll we near
aon,inalJ asked why should it be so? Why is it,
that this great interest has SO long JAILED 10 assert It's
claim responsibility and place i.se upon LIS os M
Whv il is that whilst government and people oeSo" NE
and ener9v mon all other branches OF National industry
Aoricre alone is overlooked and suffered to angus
The answer may be given in few words In Inc hiS pace
the pre,t defect under which agriculture abors IN Virginia.
s Ie want of general and scientific knowledge amongst le
great body of her practical Farmers is the absence OF
Apricurnl education and pacced science IN the cuitva-
lion of our lands and the fact that too many regard the Ia
bors of he Field and the Mechanics shop degrading aud
the
onr low state Agriculture And yet who 1t that
maeines that without knowledge science and SKILL ie ayr.
cultural interest can ever expect justice or place Itself on us
true basis! Who believes that Agriculture can or ever WIN
sumo The which is entitled at the head OF
esson till learns to lean on practical science ana PC
less dependent upon imitation and precedent Inc
root of tho evil regret say in great measure TO be
found in the and apathy OF the agricnurss heI
selves and their proserba scepticisn in deepooed and
inveterate habits "dcsendng from father Il SON. ley
know, and admit that political ignorance ads TO political
slavery We, they that it just the Same case with
respect agriculture in which, more than ELSEWHERE h"o@
edgeis Pouer!
They shut their eyes and the great TRUTH that they
must farm rightly they would reap and this cannot DC
done without lerizing and improving their lands through
the means of scientific husbandy II John Taylor he
author Of Aato who uttered thirty years ago, le scu
TRUTH that Agriculture could never flourish IN america unless
il applied very d.ren, principle both TO It's LANDS and 60
yernmen than that which existed, namely 'hat Iehe"a
mus, follow closely the heels OF decay 10 FER
TTY or avoid oPpREssoS Indeed without scientific ana
Successful Agriculture in our day. the other branches OF Ma
tona Industry could flourish than man could i've
without blood Is il not idle them 10 imagine That without
education and science and especially Agricultural Chemis-
try the cuvatos Of The soil will ever be able 10 understand
and explain the phenomena OF vegetation sernhauol me
pening the death OF plants $" essential 10
high and improved husbandry Let me illustrate this by
striking fact In the work Of Araor 10 which nave auneo
(he first ublcst agricultural work ever published IN VIZ
gnia its distinguished author spoke not only conenptu
0usy bu, rdcuIed the idea OF improving land by the use Of
lime and mari This was as late as ISL or 1870 II nc mao
lived len fifteen years LATER he would have seen many po
tons OF Eastern Virginia regenerated by the influence OF
alone under the guidance OF one OF her distinguished
sons
And wa, candid and sober-mnded man must not be con
vinced that the absence of this Chemical knowledge
in our system of Agriculture is one OF the principal
causes of slow progress in Improvement ana Inc
depressed state of Agriculture in Virginia. and that
TOO with advantages in cuvatng the soil far greater than
those in any other portion of the globe nasmuch Ag
culture associated with National character and free
institutions acting Immediately and powerfully upon the
morals and condition of our people What then Is our duty
answer that the first important stop in The work OF i'm
provement the establishment Of Central STATE Society al
the of Government literally endowed by the State as
well BY individuals with an efficient Scientific ana Chemt-
cal Chair properly organized Indeed the office OF State
Agriculust Of the greatest improvements OF modern
civilization. BY means of Scientific analysis The farmer
will be enabled small expense render his lands produc-
tive and turn them the best account of which they are
susceptible according TO their constituent elements and pecu
liar chemical properties The State Society would be able
10 communicate with other associations throughout Virginia
and other States and in foreign countries and III THIS way
collect stock of information which, being well considered
and matueG would be offered TO the public with great ad
vantages With this view also, auxiliary societies would be
organized throughout the State which would act us pow
erfu stimulus 10 thousands Of our Agricultural brethren
who nfd upon the subject OF improved and Sci
| enfc farming! To the benefits, however, which
would result from these associations every member Of them
should feel himself of vital Importance and act as though
success and triumph depended upon his individual efforts
need remind oil the immense held which would DC mus
opened for exeron impress upon you the tluth which
must every where your that the Agriculture OF
Virginia going down. least is stationary and that the
best portion improved lands capable Of Increased
fertility and still higher Improvement by skiu and selen
Interchange Of thought aided by Agricultural societies aud
the press that has enabled the great discoveries and improve
ments of comparatively few Individuals TO become the
perry OF so many Another great benefit which will result
from these Associations will be the elevation OF tho Agricul
classes By calling the works and improvements OF the
retired and unknown farmer into public notice you pncc him.
in upon equality with men oil other profess
sons who constantly moving in public sphere and
ting in view of the masses Of their fellow citizens You
in him strong desire to excel in his Art by max ing
him realize his cang or profession as an object OF public
attention. and the of obtaining celebrity fou touch
Of the springs ohuman action by pointing The
road honor and cnoumen and placing him in the 10
that distinction which the Lawyer, the Physician and the
Drine enjoy by excellence in their profession In this
new strength is given the spring Of ambition
excel We begin labors, too period and under cir
cumstances which promise the most favorable results.
era in agriculture, has arlsen Men OF learning talents
and influence ensng in the cause and the public mind
be turned the interests and importance of in
proved Agriculture 1t will only need practical science and
liberal patronage the part Of individuals and the Stat.
ensure success.
The late meeting of the State Society, ut the seat of Go.
yernment, have essayed put the ball in notion 1t
well attended by practical, well scientific farmers from
various parts Of the State and its proceedings marked by
great unapimitv ZEAL and devotion to the cause. They
adopted have the society Incorporated and TO
ask of the Legislature funds in aid OF lis general objects
Amongst its important recommendations was one for the
poinment of agricultural Commissioner and tiro ASSst
Chemists be located in the Eastern and Western parts
of the State The duly of the Commissioner 10 make an
Agricultural survey of all the States deliver lectures in each
county if deemed desirable; point the general features
of tho soil and the of improvement TO aid in the
formation of Agricultural Societies and Clubs auxiliary
the Stale Society," and to disseminate information of every
spirit of Improvement in the agriculture of the State
The immediate duties Of his assistants, 10 aid in
the soils and minerals al moderate charge Of few dollars
the agriculurst They took steps also have annual
Exhibitions Fairs the first of which is take place
the of Government in The ensuing fall and nf
ter of Maryland practicable. is be hoped that
the application the Legislature will be successful and that
the contemplated schemes for improvement will enable
realize the objects Of the Society.
Let me then urge you officer Of the Society and
friend to agriculture 10 prompt and united action upon this
vital and important subject. We must not despair We
must trust in the integrity of noble We might
in the virtue and intelligence of the people Of Virginia
and in the wisdom and patriotism OF her representatives.
They under the control of public opinion, and we
try and bring The public mind to bear habay and
with greater force Of concentration upon the importance Of
Agricultural interests and the necessity of it's speedy
regeneration If the Legislature deaf ear instead Of
yielding to appeal, up the people 10 nc
lion Warn them of the danger tina, threatens and the
means of escape and ii they heed the warning are
determined perish their blood will be required the
Wachmen. For one, however, l do despair Bad as
things are feel abiding confidence in the ultimate sue
of In looking to the future my dependency
is changed into hopetulncsS But il succeed we
must be united and unrng Wcare called upon 10 de-
fend the principles views of any political part yours
the cause people, Its defend ourselves defend
uphold the prosperity and happiness of beloved