Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1852-11-04

u
in the early periods Of civilization. VirpIl IL 4
beautiful pastoral poem lays down a system
horticulture and field tillage very ike that q,
practical farmers recommend at the present tim
Rotation OF crops, high manuring, deep tillae,
thorough draining; frequentand judicious irrig,
ton where location permitted care in The brees
ing and rearing of animals; horticultural nm,
suits and all the leading features in what We 1
the nineteenth century would call an excellen
system OF husbandry, were pursued by many e !
,mers and enforced BY the writers of the earlie.
days OF the Christian era. In all the smaI IL
taiis OF great practical system, they were NO,
%nit behind Us, and indeed only within the las
hundred years have enquiring minds on the sub
]ect, cultivated that virgin soil, which was cover
co oy The rubbish Of the dark ages, aud brought
"gnt tnose long hidden seeds, that have spruac
~, sh1 are now bearing fruit wholesome 10 The
Agricuturists Those old writer's tsncht Il, ~
methods Of composing manure. saving email
tnings to swell the manure heap which we TO-
otten waste and from them we have received H.
apQpnthegms and shortrules in farming economy
whicn many at this day practice, and Of which ar
admit the propriety, yet do think Cato weni Tor
lar IN exciting the tender sympathies Of the AM.
lltIonists (if any lived In thai dayl when be -,
commended to the Roman landlords 10 sell evarv
thing they co1ld,-"old oxen, sold carts; ..od
iron, and = any old and diseased Stare"
Agriculture has made some progress, tbouob
not even paced with other Arts and Sciences.
We are indebted to such men as Sinclair and
Blackwell of England, Taylor and Ruffin ofvou
own State, Buell. Of New York and Skinner Of
Maryland, for lighting up an enthusiasm in this
our happy land which though now fully felt in its
results, IS destined 10 exert for ages to come. 4
force and commanding power not second in its
great results to those occasioned by the retorma.
non ~ christianity ofthe 10th century The Ag.
ricultursts have been wakened to their true co5.
dltIon-no longer to be looked on as mere tillers
Of the soil, but as the ooner of thar from Mill
erery thing comes. In The language Of an able
British writer, all the Artists, Manufacturers
and Commercialists ofthe world are emploved m
the produce OF the soil and on that only. The
watch maker and anchof-smith, the clothier and
lace maker, the gold smith and the lapidary, are
ALI and each Of them, equally engaged in one OBJ .
lect, namely, that Of rendering the productions Of
the earth subseryient TO the use and convenience
Of man, The stock Of every ware. house and
snop, the furniture OF every mansion and cottage.
all implements and utensils, may easily be traced
10 the same origin. Even the books OF the schol. 1
az, and the ink and quill through whose means
he communicates his lhoughtsio others are de-.
rived from the same course@as the material on |
which the naval and civil architect exercises his |
ingenuity and skill. The loftiest spire and the |
smallest needle are both the effects Of labor and
skill exercised on the SOIL" Reused from their /
ethargy, to see and feel all lhis,-to comprehend
be vastness Of their power, they have determine
d, trust, to become theifown masters-to "a,
ern themselves--to rule and 'eRisate for them.
elves and their own interests with due regard
othe rights of others, although others have pail
heretofore but little respect to Apriculturalfigbts
nd interests. "A spirit is abroadin the land that
.oonrrcaI iierlzon, q burst forth ere long
The full effnlpence Of meridian brightness. u
to these grand results that the enlightened Ag-
cultprist looks with hopeful confidence, and as
toms make mountains, and often great results
roeeed from small events, so we are inspired
,ith the assurance Of success from the assocla-
ons Of catmers taking place daily in the country.
Already the efforts OF three hundred Socieues,
eslde numerous Farmers Clubs, have called
MO existence the "United States Society,", now
ully organized and established at the Capital 81
,ur far.spreadng Republic. It y through TINS
treat Acknowledgment that, erer, the ioiy
ropes and aims OF the American farmer will oe
realized. In the meantime, each separate Socie-
- live vours, Mr.. President, will 60 on 10
,nread li6bt in its own sphere of action dis.
semina truths, and collect facts from it's mem I
hers TO swell the influence of the National Asso-
citation. and thus enable 1t to concentrate the
views and feelings OF the millions thai are now
humble followers OF me plough, until they VIII
be able 10 sneak their wants in trumpet tones,
and have their just power acknowledged.
ask your attention now, 70 the first fruits Of
these annual meetingsof the Farmers
OF the practical benefits Of associations like
vours innnmerable instances might be given.
shall content myself with but one. In my own
copnt5 an Agricultural Society has been sue.
continued for twelve years. 10 that
time the cattle, hogs and sheep have improved
q least one hundred per cent. inl,yalue on an
oe Tor the whole county. Hundreds ofthe
lordly Durham, beautifulDevon and noble Here.
sord cattle have been brought into and reared IN
he county. Tie breeds Of hogs and sheep have
also been greatly improved. Our stock general
10 brings one.third mt re in the shambles thafit
did.betore the Society was formed. Our barren
hills have become rich and TEEN with heavy
crous. unproductive marshes have been drained
and no longer load the air with nozious vapours
that dealt death around, but the passing breeze
Il perfumed with the sweet breath OF welikept
meadows. Horticulture and gardening have re
caived 4 due share Of attention and the garden
and pleasure grounds. once waste, now "bles'
SOM as the rose" For fruits, flowers and vege-
tables the county has reputation exceiled oy
none in the Union. One Of our intelligent young
nian,ers. Col. Oden Bowie, received at the exhi
hilton in Baltimore, last year, the first premium
az the best lot of vegetables, which for variety
s;ze heauty and excellence were, BY every body
ADMITTED as never to have been equalled by any
one exhibition in the Union. 1t is also our pride
- claim a. citizen, DR.. J. Fl. Bayne, one OF The
| r,ost distinouished hortculturists IN the coun
,rv. beside others who have made poverty strick
en- fields yield, BY science and pracueaI sElil
large sums per acre from fruits ana Yeget6O,es
j gram and grasses. How was all TINS cone =
| Bythe formation and encouragement an hgti
cultural Association. Men Of intelligence wet
yearly brought together, and made 70 comPar
their crops, their stock, their fruits, flowers an
vegetables. A rivalry was excited inquire
were made-.Row did you do this or that ~
.where did you get your stock now oio yo
feed and keep them ?"-"how came you BY sue
knowledGe on this or the other subject r.
frank interchange Of opinions and general d
, fusion of useful knowledge was the result
. THESE meetings caused generous rivalry al
. | determiuation on the part ofeach one 70 enc
. | q something the next year. and consequently
! | wonderful Improvement was speedily manifest
. & the whole system Of husbandry. Men "
: snurned book. farming began TO read and rene
) Secame enlightened and felt il to be their lni'
: - ~ band together, and BY concert OF action
: 81 expanding their views, and no longer cosg
d t6eir ewes to the lights Of science, to advance
Il far a. nossibie the canse Of Agriculture. "a
' dvelt perhaps too long upon the benefits VII
i have resulted 10 the people Of one county 10
8 own State, from an Agricultural Society, eu