Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1854-06-13
guuhnn fire. prfss.
AGRICULTURAL.
Size Of Farms.

earth which infinite Goodness has given U.S.
We hold to the absolute sovereignty Of the in
divdual, to a reasonable extent; and consequent
ual sovereignty, each one has right by honest
means to acquire, and by an inalienabIe title to
possess farm, large enough to afford for him
self and his family = comfortable support
These facts seem to De generally, though per-
hars vaguely, recognised, by people all over
the world; and, acting upon the principles: all
are seeking, in one way and another, to OBJ
tain spot Of land that they can call their own.
This is well. In this desire of possession we
may see that which serves to stimulate enter
prize, industry, and numberless social virtues
thus contributing, beyond all calculation, to the
public good.
AcQuiSitioeaess, then, as our philosophy has
1t, is faculty of the mind which has its use.
and its place among the attributes of humanity;
li,ious, social, and moral affections, we're it not
for this. For the germ of Monopoly, much as
it has been decried, and profoundly devilish, as
are some of its developments, is, nevertheless,
the very thing that gives the world its bread
and butter. When inordindte in its demands
de generating into avarice, and leading to the
love and practice of dishonesty, it becomes an
evil, and as such should be diScoun.enanced.
To give it right direction, th,refire, Should
he our earnest endeavor, leaving others TO call
it hard names and denounce it as may seem
good in their sight.
limo case is acquisitiveness more injurious
" developed, that in the disposition to acquire
large tracts of land. In the vicinity of our
large cities, where the products of the soil find
ready market, and command highly remune
rative prices, land is so valuable as to render it
expedient, and profitable, to own aud cultivate
less. Small farms, the productivenesS of which
is increased four fold by the aid of modern dis
coverieS and improvements, arc made to answer
the purpose, and satisfy even the cupidity of the
proprietors. But elsewhere, and ali over this
country, large landed possessions are consider
cd the one thing needful on earth. Hence it
is, that regions amazingly fertile by nature are
disgraced by superficial culture; and still. the
owners of farms where the very genius Of Dilapi
dation seems to preside, are exceedingly anx-
ious to add to the broad acres which they al
ready possess and abuse. This disposition
needsto be checked; and as the true friend of
those who cultivate the soil, a few out of many
cogent reasons will be stated, why men of can
dor and intelligence should bring against it the
influence Of their Precepts and examples.
In the first place, small farms thoroughly and
scientifically cultivated, are more profitable, in
proportion to the capital and labor performed,
than large ones conducted in the common way.
This has been said thousand times, and as
often demonstrated by tangible results. If
profit, therefore, is the only, or the paramount
object, it is obviously true that a small farm,
carried on in the right way, is better than a
large one conducted on the superficial PLAN
If one acre can easily be made to produce a
TO obtain the same result? But we do not stop
here. There is no reason for supposing that
the productivenesS of the soil has ever yet been
fully developed. In this age of rapid improve
ment it is unwise to predict what few years
may bring to pass. We are sauguine in the be.
lief that when ample justice is done to mother
Earth, she will bring forth SO abundantly, that
want. as well as the fear of it, will be known no
more.
Another reason why small farms are prefera-
bic to large ones, though connected with our
social relations is the fact. that a sparce popu-
lation is unfavorable to our intellectual, moral,
and social improvement. The spirit of the aye,
as well as the exigencies of our existence to
say nothing of the nature and demands of our
republican government aud institutions. render
education an imperative aCant, common schools
a necessity and of course a somewhat dense
population to support them, at least great con-
venience To realize the truth of these say
ings, We have only to compare the South, and
some parts of the great West. with New Eng
land, or indeed with the more thickly populated
portions of New York and OHIO There, " here
the land is owned by few, and divided into
plantations Ofhundreds and thousands of acres,
common school houses, as well as neat and con-
venent churches, are "like angel visits few and
far between while in the region of small and
well cultivated farms, the case is widely differ
ent, and the result sufficiently obvious to secure
attention, and excite our admiration. Besides,
we are social beings; and daily familiar inter
course with our neighbors, rendered friendly
by reciprocation of kind Offices, adds much
TO the happiness of life, and brings into active
existence the nobler and better qualities of our
nature.
To the foregoing we may add the fact, that
farms of moderate size, cultivated with skill
and beauti6ed by taste-rendered profitable by
good management, and attractive by love o.
the beautiful and good, would not only please
the eye efevery beholder, but would exert upon
all minds purifying and ennobling influence
These facts should teach us moderation in our
desires, and to be content with that position Of
the earth which we can render most productive
and desirable, by industry directed by intelli
gence.- Ohio Farmer.
Mr.. Mitchell, the Irish Patriot, has consented
20 d.1;yar on address hafora tho ;taro,,, G..