Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-12-14


first object, however, should be the acqul-
sition of the property.
In my first message TO the legislature,
called the attention of that body to the I'M
portance of the agricultural interest Of the
State, it's claims to legislative aid, and offer
ed some suggestions for their consideration.
Amid the ardhous and complicated duties
of the session, incident to putting the new
constitution into operation, and the great
and absorbing interest felt upon the subject
of internal improvements, that interest fall
ed to receive the attention to which 1t was
entitled by its merits. The Importance of
this interest may be better appreciated,
when we consider the number of those en-
gagged m the pursuit, the amount invested,
the benefits to result from wise and judi.
cious system, and the evils that must fol-
low its neglect. The value, and therefore
its importance, has been, and will continue
to be greatly enhanced by the progress and
completion of the grand system of internal
improvements that has been SO wisely pre-
iected. These. by adding to the value of
real estate, will bring into requsition every
acre of soil that can be made to yield any
thing, either for the support or ornament of
man. and render the augmentation OF it's
productiveness more important than ever.
It is true as expressed in my first message,
that in government wisely and judicious-
ly administered, it will generally be found
best to leave the various branches of indus
try to individual enterprise, without at
tempting to control them BY legislaton.--
But this applies with no more force to ag'
riculture than to any or all of the other pur-
suits. Why, then, should that which is tho
true basis Of all wealth-the most import
ant, the most useful, the most honorable
and the most widely diffused-be the most
neglected of all! Our government has in
various ways given support TO commerce,
mechanics and manufactures. To support,
protect and defend the first, our vessels Of
war are continually upon the alert, and will
visit the furthermost sea. For the guidance
and encouragement of mechanics, patent
office has been established, where can be
seen in an hour all the successful expert.
ments of skill and science during the past
and the present. No time need be lost in
travelling over ground that has been once
trod or making experiments that end in
ruin. Our manufactures, even against con.
stitutional restraints, have received the fos.
tering care of the government in the form
ofprotection, whilst agriculture, upon which
they are dependent for vitality, and which
must support them all, is left to grope its
way without system, aid or support. This
should not be. How shall it be remsdied'
answer, give it your countenance and sup.
port in form that will stimulate the eneF.
ges of the farmer, and give him the aid of
scisnce-science coupled with practice-to
guide and direct his energies. 1t has been
truly said knowledge Is power, and that
"lnfnd will govern matter" To produce
the desired effect, the character of the a.
gents to be employed must be know. The
labor of the hand is rarely pro6tably en-
ployed, except when directed by reason
Science ard practice must 60 together; but
it is not possible for each to learn by actual
experiment all that should be known. 1t
should be made known, then, through Sc.
lected medium whose duty it should be TO
collect facts, make experiments and ap.
DIV science for the benefit of and at the
expense of all. This would perhaps be best
accomplished by the appointment of state
agricultural chemist, whose duty it should
be to visit every county IN the State, ana
1--we the different soils that may be found.
and at each annual meeting of the State
Agricultural Society, deliver a lecture, Civ.
ing in detail the information derived from
such analysis, observation and experiment.
together with suggestions as to the best
mode of treating the different soils, and such
other information as he might deem perth
nent and useful; and that this information
be carried to every door by the publication of
such lecture or address in printed form, upon
every hill top, through every valley and
over every plain in the State. | therefore
again respectfully recommend that provis-
ion be made for the appointment of such an
officer, and that the salary be sufficient to
command the best qualifications.
| congratulate you upon the able adjunct
in this enterprise, to be found in the State
agricultural society which recently held its
first annual fair in this city. Much to my
regret, severe domestic affliction prevented
me from being present at this exhibition
but all who witnessed il concur in saying
that 1t was one that conferred honor upon
the state and reflected credit upon its dis
tinguished projectors, no less for the skill
with which it was managed, than for The
philanthropic spirit which led to its sugges-
ton; and most cordially recommend it To
your favor Other local societies of the
same kind have been organized during the
past fall and as auxlliares to the first NAM
ed, recommend their encouragement
We have reason to be proud of the effort;
and if so much has so soon been accom-
plished, what may we not expect in the fu-
ture? In union there is strength, and uni
ty of effort Is necessary to success in almost
any enterprise-a truth long since learned;
and one that will never be forgotten by
those engaged in the other arts, but one
upon which the farmer has never acted
He has stood alone, without attempting to
weld an influence or to secure legislation
for his peculiar benefit. He has been con-
tent to pay his taxes, resent every insult.
and avenge every wrong his country might
incur, and in time Of peace pay the expen-
ses Of war, incurred perhaps for the pro-
lection of other interests. In future, let US
practice partiality to none-justice to all.
Since your last meeting, an election has
been held for commissioners ofpublic works.
(the official vote is herewith commuuica.
ted,) and IN compliance with the requisi-
lions Of the law, issued proclamation on
the 22d of June last, declaring that the fol-
lowing persons had been duly elected, VIZ:
For the first district, Thomas j. Boyd; for
the second district, Archibald Graham I; and
for the third district, Edward J. J..Armstropg.