Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-12-14

'erent basis. The first object, however,
should be the acquisition of the property. X
In my Grst message TO the legislature, i
called The attention of that body to the
Importance OF the agricultural interest of
The state. its claims TO Legislative aid, and
offered SOME suggestions for their eonsid-
GRAFTON. Amid the artluous and compli-
Gated dulles OF the session, incident to put |
ting the new constitution into operation,
and the great and absorbing interest felt |
upon the subject of ternalimproyements, |
that interest failed to receive the atten-
ton to which IL was entitled by its merits.
CINE importance of this interest may be
better appreciated, when we consider
those engaged in the pursuit, the amount
invested, the benefits 10 result from n wise
land judicious system, and the evils that
must tOlloS its neglect. The value
and therefore its Importance. has
been. and will continue to be greatly en-
HANGED by the progress aud completion of
the grand system of internal improve
ments that has been so wisely projected
These. by adding to the value Of real es-
late, will bring inlo requisition every acre.
OF soil that can be made 10 Weld ANYTHING
either for the support or ornaniant of man,
- $500 NAS 5ulGIlNtILlOn OF It's pro-
dneLlveness more important than ever.
II Is true as expressed in my first mes
sage, that in i government wise and iu-
dlcIouey administered, it will generally
be t0uGd best TO leave;the various branch
es OF industry TO individual enterprise,
without attempting to control them BY le-
gislatfen. But this applies with no more
force tn agriculture than TO any or all of
Tue other pursuits. Why, then. should
that which Is the true basis of all wealth,
the most important, the most useful, the
most honorable ami the most widely diff
fused-be the most neglected Of all q
Our governmgu. has in various ways Civ
EN- support 10 commerce, mechanics and
ur1nuiaetares. To support, protect and
defend the first, our vessels of war are
continually upon the alert, and will visit
the fuithermosL sea. For the guidance
and encouragement of mechanics, pat
ten. Office has been established, where
eau be seen in an hour all the successful
experiments of skill and silence durinrl
the past and the present. No liure need
be lost in travelling over ground that
has been once trod in making experiments
that end in ruin. Our manufactures,
even against constitutional restraints, have
received the fostering care of the
government in the form of protection,
upon which they are dependent for Vi
tally, and which must support them all,
- let to grope its way without system,
cid or support. This should not be. How
shall it be lemedied? l answer, give it
ySur countenauce and support in form
That will stimulate the energies of the far
mer, and give him the aid of science
Science cu-lpled with practicc-to guide and
direct his energies. 1t has been truly
said. . knowledge is power" and that,
mind will govern matter" To pro-
dGce the desired effect. the character Of
tie agents to be employed must be known.
The labor of hand IS rarely proGtably,
employed except when directed by rua-
son. Science and practice must go to-
gether bat it is not possible for each to
learn By experiment all that should be
known. Il should be made known, then,
through selected medium, whose duty i.
should be to collect facts, make experiments
and apply science for the benefit of and at
the expense Of all. This would perhaps be
accomplished best by the appointment OF Il
state agricultural chemist, whose duty it
should DC 10 visit every county in the
STATE. analizg the different soils that may
DC found, and at each annual meeting of
'he state agricultural society, deliver q
lecture, giving in detail THE information
.ae1ived from such analysis. observation
and experiment, together with sUggcs-.
lions us to the best mode of treating the
different soils, and such other information
he might deem pertinent and useful
and ESat this information he carried to
every door by the publication of such
lecture or address in printed form, upon
every hill sop. through every valley aud
ever every plain in the state. l therefore
again respectfully recommend that provT-
sion be made for the appointment of such
aH officer, and that the salary be sufficient
to command the best qualifications.
l congratulate you upon the able al
:3d9lct in this enterprise, to be found in the
state agricultural society which recently
o held It's first annual fair i'll this city.
Much to my regret, severe domestic atilic-
Ton prevented me from being present at
this exhibition ; but all who Witnessed
it concur in saying that it was one that
conferred honor upon the state and relec-
teI credit upon its distingu projectors,
no less for the skill With which it was
managed. than for the phiarthropic SPIT
n whi2A led to its suggestian and | most
cordially recommend it to your favor.
Other local societies OF the same kind
have bren organised during the past fall
and aS auXIlarieS 10 the first named, !
recommend their encouragement. We
have reason to be proud OFT the effort and
ii SO much has so soon been accomplished,
what may We expect in the future ? In
union there is strength. and unity of effort
is necessary to success in almost any en-
terpi,se-a truth long since learned, and
a. m L.. ( L u