Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-10-08

beds are still in full fruit and bloom. What I
have done in fruit culture you may do; for I
have hid no light of mine under a busEel.
And, ladies! what are you doing in the kitch-
en- garden? Have you discarded the long blue
collard, and placed the hard-headed cabbage
there9 Have you the Irish 'potatoe in all its
farinaceous perfection9 Have you the aromatic
celery, with its brittle crisp stalk9 Do you have
a constant succession of snaps, peas, okra, toma-
toes, &C., until frost? If you have not, then
you may look to this Society to bring all this
about; for take it you are banded together for
improvement, and if you originate no new vege-
table productions, you will at least improve up
on the old ones And would urge one more
important matter for your consideration: That
you sustain the agricultural press. It's influence
and usefulness is daily increasing, and those who
affect to dcspise its counsels, are inperceptibly
adopting its teachings; its patrons are among
the great and good of every land The true
statesman appreciates its utility, for it enhances
national wealth and prosperity, and raises indi-
vidual independence. Encourage it then, as you
would sustain your own best interests write for
it, as the sure means of spreading light. The
agricultural press is to the public what your So
cety should be to each other-a mirror held up
to nature, rejecting practical mems minds.
have go more into detail, in this short adj
Dress on the culture of crops, specific manures,
draining, sub-soil plowing, &C., but gentlemen, l
refer you to the agricultural papers of the day;
they are published so cheaply as to be within
reach of ALL and contain all that is useful in sci
enti6c and practical agriculture.
To the lawmakers of the land would ap-
peal, and to the farmers, that make the law-ma-
kers, would appeal still stronger why is it that
every interest but the agricultural is fostered and
protected? Why is it that agricultural educa-
ton is so grossly neglected? Were our youth
early imbued with the scientific principles Of agg-
ricuture, the bosom of our mother earth would
freely yield her treasures, when in after life, they
might either from necessity or choice, seek liv-
ing there. But no, the science of sustaining
human life is nothing to our Legislators. Partyl
with its hydra head, rcgns in its Legislative halls
supreme; and the farmer educates his son for
what they are not to be-content himselfto plod
on in dark obscurity, making substances for bar
tering n1erchant-priuces to reap the real profits
from his sweating toll. The moment his pro-
ductions are made they assume an Importance
not before given to them, even by himself for
they are merchandise then. And the silent
weaving web of nature, when she formed from
the air. the Garth, and the water, around us,
those useful and necessary fabrics that nourish-
ing and lfe-sustaining food, is left uncared for,
neglected, and forgotten in the glory of tho mer-
chants counting room, his exchanges and dprofts.
Farmers, should this be so? Demand of your
lawgivers agricultural instruction for the masses;
elevate and place your calling on footing with
the highest sciences; educate your children for
what they are to be-and when blight, rust,
m;ldew or insects assail their crops, instead Of
calmly looking on, and talking about bad luck,
they will 60 manfully to work by the light of
science and counteract the evils. What a mis-
taken notion has pervaded the public mind that
the farmer needs no education! Why, gentle
men, the Southern farmer should be the most in
telligent man on earth. In his charge are SER
wants subject to like passions and diseases as
himself; he should understand all the laws of
health. He should be Psychologist as well as
botanist. Who so much interested in the
changing weather. He should be familiar with
the motions of the earth, he should be living
barometer! Who so much interested in the
crust Of the earth9 He should be a practical
chemist, geologist and mineralogst. Who SO
much interested in the laws trade? He should
be we'll skilled in all the laws of barter exchange
and commerce, in short, the perfect farmer
should be Christian, a gentleman, philoso-
pher and statesman.
Gentlemen of the Reverend Clergy! to your
fostering care / commend the agricultural i'm
provcment Of the age; with It's improvement
society has improved. The refnemcnts and So
liabilities of life, 60 with improved agriculture;
with refinement and susceptibility, morality;
with morality, pure religion. So foster it; then,
reverend gentlemen, that it may lead to tempo
raj prosperity and happiness; and through its
sublime and beautiful teachings, to eternal bliss.
And finally, ladies and gentlemen let Tie i'm
press upon you the Importance of beautifying
and adorning the homestead. The happy inhu
ences it may have on Jour posterity can hardly
be calculated. When you build, as if you ex-
nectcd to make your house your own and your
children's home and not tenement for stran-
gers. Save and protect the native trees around
the homestead. The marks of circling years on
their venerable trunks speak of centuries which
you can never see; under their broad spreading
branches may enjoy the cool breezes of heaven;
and whilst every thing else around you is mod
ern and new, they connect with the shawody
past-they speak of other days. Embellish your
grounds with fruits and flowers. Secure pure
and wholesome water. And now, fair daugh-
tors of Chambers is vour time to step in, to give