Polynesian., 1852-07-03
Gbe polpnesian.
ADDRESS
Delivered by the Hon. E. H. ALLEN.

HutcUltQH s1SfrcuuufQt OOctety -
How beautiful the idea that here, in mid
ocean, there should be an assembly conven-
ed for the purpose of giving an impulse to
the improvement of that noble art which is
the parent of all others that, here Socie
ty should have arisen, the transactions of
which would be creditable to far older states,
where but a few years ago no art of civilized
life was cultivated. 1t is an illustration of
the Anglo-Saxon Mission in its progress
round the globe, that it should pause here for
day, and make garden in the sea, which
should attract and cheer, and cherish all who
are voyaging on its expansive waters. Here
| is resting place for the dove, from which
he will 60 forth carrying light and knowledge
to the distant Isles, and to the still remoter
| Continents, ofthe increased facilities of culti
vating that art which is so productive Of COM
fort ahd refinement at home, and commerce
abroad. 1t is not for yourselves alone that
you are acting, in combining and dissent
mating agricultural knowledge, important as
that may be, but it is for civilization. Its in
fuence is not limited like the Society of a
single county, but il will be an example and
an impulse to this noble art in the Pacific
Isles, which if followed, will be more valu-
able to them, than all the sands on their
shores, even were they gold. 1t is somewhat
singular, in reviewing the history of states,
that navigation, commerce, and manuiac-
lures should have commanded more attention,
more encouragement, more incentives to ge-
MUS and enterprise than the parent of them
ALL What garden the settled portions of
the earth would be made, if genius was stim-
ulated in the investigation of the principles OF
culture, as it has been in the mechanic arts.
In agriculture you have no magnetic tele-
graph, but you must make one for all other
isles, by making this group garden. Nei-
ther have you the mariners compass, but
you have the north star and you must invent
one. Agriculture has not until recently in
spired its votaries, but on they went, plough
| ing with stick, and narrowing with bush,
and even these rude implements were drawn
by the tail or the horns of its unfortunate VIC
Tins. But mechanical genius inspired by
the rich luxury of invention, has given its
handmade plough that developes riches
which for ages have laid dormant, and a har
row that mellows and enriches, and yoke
that is mercy to the willing OK. The whole
catalogue of agricultural machinery is of re-
cent date and So is chemistry as applied to
agriculture, and its advance may be said to
have Just begun. You then live, so far, at
least as your favorite pursuit is concerned,
at an interesting period in the worlds histo-
ry Invention has not ceased TO aid you and
will not to the end of time. Even the last
year has been productive of Improvements in
the growth and manufacture of sugar The
cotton gin has saved from oppressive toll, has
impaired value to millions of acres, useless
before, and given comfort and ornament to a
world. Hitherto it has not been the man that
hoed and ploughed that has done the most for
his art, but it has been him who has invent
ed the implements by which you could work
the soil; and manufacture its products. and
for the Chemist who has informed you of the
composition Of soils, and what would enrich
them, as We'll as the plants adaptedto them.
But now your time has come to make the
richest culture, and the richest production
from the smallest amount of land, and labor.
The materials are furnished, the principles
of science are now to be applied to your art.
For ages the son followed the system of the
father, and in large portion of the world, it
is the same now, but this inaction and lazy
principle of imitation is giving way to the in
: telectual energy Of the age The principle
of action for all men to consider is, the amount
of production from given quantity of land,
iOf tHe iedSl ldDOr, tApcuSSs w hot
deny but that the system of culture should
be modified by the density of population, and
t the value of land. The cheap lands of the
United States will enable the farmer to let a
portion lie faIlow, when in England, from its
high price, it must produce its annual return,
and hence more accurate attention to the
best system of culture. But in the United
States it is admitted that great loss has been
incurred by taking the cream of the soil, and
leaving it in its poverty. 1t is equally an ad-
mitted truth that too much land has been run
over, as the saying is. Concentrate your
culture to a limited space and you will raise
more with the same means. 1t requires as
much labor to raise small crop on poor land
' as great crop on rich. To this principle
in given place, good judgment and expert
ment are wanted to decide. But as gen.
eral truth, applicable to all countries, cultl-
: vale thoroughly, and remunerate thesoll fol-
e what you take from it.
Agriculture has not been made as inter-
estng as it should have been. 1t has been
considered mere drudgery, whereas 1t is
capable of imparting more physical and intel
, lectual enjoyment than any other pursuit
Air and exercise are necessary for health
, Nature is full of cheerfuness and all her vo-
!, taries participate of it. No strife, or con-
fiicts, or envyings ever disturb them. They
have no warfare but to subdue the earth
and make the elements subject to its culture
Consider your plantation laboratory, where
the mind can be interested by the application
of science to the arts, and it is made so prac'
tical now that no one need be deferred iron
listening to its teachings. Agriculture
wants more application of mind, and this on
Il ly it demands to make it the favorIte pursuit
: of mankind. Honor renown and popular Ia
: !. vor have been won on other felds, LET
bleaching with the bones of the victims OF Z
hattie or rendered harren by the iron hee