Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-03-11
For the Des Moines Courier.
Importance OF Agricultural Soci-
cities.


Won recently. that limited space in your
columns was at the The disposal of such
the friends OF Agriculture as might he
disposed; from week to week. to occupy
il. | am indured, though no, practical
Agriculiurisi. to avail myself OF your gen.
4rous permission. my objec. being to sci
IN example which hope may be fol
owed by our practical Farmers, Of
whom we have many among Us, abur
dantly able TO discuss the subject in at
interesting end profitable manner, WI
ought to have good original Agricullu
ral Article every week, in our Count,
papers.
| Cannot but regard the formation of Ag
ricul,ural Sorieties, IN several Counties
af our State, as in the highest degree i'm
portant, and encouraging; in fact, if |
were to look for movement, having a
tendency. or indicating purpose to i'm
prove our condition, and free US from our
present embarrassment, and secure pros
periiy upon permanent founda,ion,--
should regard This action on The par, OF
oar Farmers as the very movement from
which we might hope and expect, the
most effectual, certain, and perhaps
speedy beneficial results. So Immense
are our Agricultural interests, and so i'm
mediately are all other interests, connect
ed with and Iependen, upon it, tina, no
measure Of improvement or reformation
on the one hand can be carried without
the cooperation and support Of those
engaged in it; nor on the other hand is
there any result which cannot be speed-
ly secured, by that great interest acting
together narmoniously and in concert.
Agriculture being thus important, and
those engaged in II having thus the in
ieres,s and the responsibilities of the
country in their hands, it becomes clearly
the duty Of all who are engaged or inter-
esied in il, to concert and sustain all
measures having for their objec, its i'm
provement, elevation, Development and
proper direction. Societies Of the char
acier and having the design and purposes
OF the one recently formed in this Coun.
~, regard as one of the first, indispen-
sible and useful ins.rumen,alilies tina,
can be employed in The prosecution OF
this design.
This Society should be well sustained.
Il is the duty of every Farmer in the
County TO unite with il, bringing with
him his influence. and his experience. to
add to the common fund. The most
beneficial results must follow. 1t will
stimulate enquiry, enterprise and emula-
ton; the discoveries and observations Of
each individual will constitute general
fund Of discoveries and observations,
constantly growing in value and impor-
lance; il will improve our breeds of cattle,
horses, sheep and hogs, it will promote
the introduction and circulation Of vslua-
BILE Agricultural and Statistical publica-
lions. containing the suggestions, i'm
prosements and discoveries of other
States, and other countries; il will bring
together our Farmers, and promote ac-
quaintance, sympathy, interchange Of
opinions and concert Of action among
lhem; it will lead TO enlarged and liberal
views in relation to Agriculture; il will
bring about improvement in the mode OF
cultivation, aud influence The quantity
and quality Of our productions; besides
This II might legiuma,eiy, and in tacl
ought 10 promle enquiry into those great
questions incidentally but necessarily
connected with Agriculture; such as the
causes which affect and control prices;
The questions Of markets and Internal
Improvements 10 reach them, and what
legislation Agriculture requires to further
its interests. develop its energies, and ell
esa.e il 10 its proper and legitimate rank
among the noblest Of llie sciences.
American Farmers constitute major
isy Of American ci,izens. and majority
Df American voters. Consequently The
controlling power, for veal or woe, is in
lhek hands. The aggregate of the Ma
lional will. the National character, and
The intelligence of the nation is or ought
10 be with them, and Imusi confess tina.
il has always been matter Of surprise
10 me, while the liberal education Of
those designed for all other professions,
and most other employ men,s has been
q subjec, of the utmost solicisude, and in
a III NJ hsck Al, .xr..-t l:h...t ..,.l .~..~