Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-03-03

@~There is no department of human i'll
dustry in which the knowledge Of inven-
tions, discoveries and improvements, seem
to travel so slowly, as in agriculture. Man
ufacturers, congregated in cities and towns.
are quick to learn whatever will facilitate
their labors, and add to their profits whilst
farmers, living in state of comparative is
olation, often remain for years, ignorant Of
the greatest improvements. Thus, McCor-
mick's Virginia Reaper, an invention of one
of our own citizens, almost perfect in it.
self, and admirably adapted to the wants of
the country, remained, for ten years. I'M
known to ninety-nine hundredths of our
farmers, and was only brought to. the no.
tice of many of them, by its astonishing sue
cess at the London Exhibition. And so ig-
norant are even the best informed men in
England, in regard to the advance of i'm
proyement in this country, that there APP
peared, not very long since, in the London
Quarterly Review, an elaborate article on
Roman agriculture, in which it was main
tanned, that in some respects, the Romans
had the advantage of the moderns espe-
cially citing their reaping machiues as an
instance; the Romans having had clumsy
continuance for this purpose, not drawn, but
propelled by horses, whereas there had not
been in modern times, an approximation to
any thing of the kind At this very time
the reaper had been in successful operation
in the West, for ten years at least and was
Iaoving in triumph in some of our fields in
Virginia, with the steaoiness and precision
of an army with banners. Its successful
exhibition at the Worlds Fair. brought the
merits OF this wonderful implement at once
to the notice of the British public. And
who can estimate the immense value, to
Great Britain, of the knowledge thus acquir-
ed 1t is thought to be more than an E.
quivalent, for the whole cost of that SPLEEN
did pageant.
Richmond is remarkable for the extraor-
binary excellence of her agricultural ma.
chinery. Her axes, ploughs, corn shelters
thresherS & horse powers, ARE not surpassed
if equaled, by any in the Union. But how
limited is the knowledge OF this fact, which
was only lately brought to the notice of the
general public, by an intelligent traveller;
corresp ondent of an agricultural journal, il
aeishhoring State. How soon would al
agricultural exhibition disseminate thi,
knowledge, and cause the admirable manu-
features, to take the place of the WORTHLESS:
implements that now find their way into e.
very corner of the State The same course
of remark will apply to Alexandria, Frede.
ricksburg and other towns, in which there
are doubtless many skillful and enterprisias
mechanics and artisans.
Such an association would not only thu.
benefit the whole community by its ANNA
exhibitions, bat II would De the means OF
spreading agricultural knowledge, far anG
wide, by conversational meetings, public
addresses, and practical essays, that woulc
doubtless be elected by the Society. These
advantages are so obvious, and have beer
"a sirikin ely illustrated by the eminent sue
ees, Of the New York and Maryland agri
euItsra, societies, that it must be entirely
unnecessary TO enlarge upon them.-Er
traei from Mr.. .Ns'pto@'s address before III
a ,ricnllural Convention.