The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-01-19
THE SOUTHERN PLANTER.

GDO GLAN u.
We publish to day, on The first page, the
New Year address Of Dir. Ruffin, the editor Of
this Periodical. La doing so, we cannot but
express the opinion, that it is one Of the best
newspaper articles Of the day. 1t abounds in
wisdom, and addresses itself TO nearly every
interest in the community. We congratulate
Mr.. Bernard upon having obtained as the edi-
Cor Of his paper. a gentleman who is not only
q practical farmer of distinction, but also
scholar and man of the world. There are
many persons who possess valuable informa-
ton, but are incapable of communicating II to
the word, save ia style so dry and crabbid,
that nobody can read what they write. There
are Others Of character directly opposite;
men who know little, but who yet attract at
tention by the graces of their style. Mr. r.,
we think has shown conclusively, that he
combines both these characiers-that he tho
roughly understands his subject, and that he
can communicate his knowledge in pleasing
manDer.
TIE interest which the Planter processes to
subseTye, is by far the most important that can
engage the attention Of mankind. Yet ii is one
which is more neglected than any of the rest.
II has generally been conceded here tofore in
Virginia, that though it is necessary to devote
years of study to the acquisition of any other
profession, every man is born farmer The
fruits of this fatal error may be seen in the
deep gullies, and broom-straw old-felds that
abound in this State, above all the rest of the
world, and that are an absolute scandal to her
children. Slowly, but we hope surely, the de-
fusion begins to be dissipated, and the fathers
having exhausted the soil, the sons are awaken
ing 10 the necessity of restoring it. That the
Southern Planter will be a powerful auxiliary
in bringing about this reformation, we have
every confidence. Already its sphere of use.
fitness begins to be large, and it must widen
with each successive number. The plan which
has been adopted of publishing the experience
Of men known as practical farmers of judgmen,
and ex experience, is an excellent one. There is
no farmer, 30 well skilled in his vocation, thai
he cannot learn something from his neighbors
= Let Us all then, farmers OF not farmers, aiG
in the extension of the Planter. 1t is useful tc
all it is obnoxious to nobody. 1t interfere:
with 10 mans politics Or his religion it comes
in contact with no prejudices, and wounds nc
man's self-opinion. 1t is devoted to agricu III.
ture, and to the incidents which properly belong
to it, There is no person, certainly no farmer
who cannot gain by reading it. In proportion
as il is circulated, win its intrinsic value be en-
HANGED.
We cannot omit this occasion to pay JUS
tribute 10 the publisher, Mr.. Bernard. Thu
gentleman undertook the management of the
Planter at time when its prospects " ere any
thing but dattering. Those who know how
hard il is to make paper stics. in this State
can form some idea of the difficulties he has
had TO encounter. He has persevered il
spite Of them all, and has triumphed ovel
them all. To his determination and labor
the farming community owe a large. debt o
gratitude. Let us hope that they will pa, il
as they ought.