Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1854-11-04
DAILY kIRGINIAN.
SATURDAY MORNING. NOV. /. ISL.
Mr.. Preston S A address.

best efforts of one of the first orators and most
brilliant intelleeis Of the State. We hope the
address will be extensively circulated A
production so well calculated to advance the
agricultural and mechanical interests Of the
State, and meritorious literary production,
should be in the hands of all citizens. 1t will
be found too to contain some most gratifying
statements relative to the progress aud present
condition of Virginia, compared with its eondi-
ton and prospects few year. ago. The ad
dress was delivered in the happest manner and
made a fine impression upon the vast assembIagc
who heard it. We will give the conclusion to-
morrow.
Mr. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN.-I appear
before You in the discharge Of duty your kind
ness assigned me.
will be happy i'll shall be able to contribute
anything to promote the objects of Your a-so.
ciation,-if shall be able in the smallest degree
TO aid in advancing the condition of agriculture,
horticulture and the auxiliary mechanic arts in
Virginia.
The necessity Of improvement appears in n
manner that appeals most strongly to the inter-
est the pride and the patriotism Of our people.
Everywhere around " the elements 81 wealth
and power are disclosed to inspire confidence in
our efforts, and invoke every energy ami lniiu-
ence at our command to secure success.
You have drnominatrd Your association the
Virginia State Agricultural Society" h title
discloses that its organization embraces every
portion OF our territory. Is object, j. to bless
with wealth. prosperity and happiness al our
people.
The success that will attend our effort. de
pend- on the freedom csudor. and accuracy with
which you examine the progress If agriculture
in Virginia, and the application YOU nHke Of
that knowledge 10 our present condition and cir
cumstances.
The soil the climate, the value of land and
the value Of labor the primary elements that
enter into the consideration Of the agriculture of
country.
Its important that we should fully under
stand tHese great aud primary elements # wealth
and fowor a. they exist III Nirgna-thut wc
should understand what are the advantage
what the disadvantage that attend them,-whnt
the peculiarties, and what the effect Of such
peouiarltles IN enhancing OF impaIrIng their pres
cnt or prospective Faluc.-whai their defects
are they permanent in their characters OF are
they such a. experience and attention would On
able us to remedy. The proper decision of these
important questions must OF necessity he tie re
suit OF time, patience. and labor.
Enough is already known Ia inspire the 1.-Two
lest zeal, and 10 produce an abiding confidence
in these primary clements of agricultural
wealth,-these great foundations Of national
strength and power
A Kind and buantifd Providence has blessed
us TO an extent unsurpassed. Situated in the
heart Of the Confederacy, Virginia embraces
within her limits, extent of territory greatcr
than any of the original members of the lnion.
Fronting on the Atlantic coast. her regions are
spread out 90 a great extent along its shores,
beautifully diversified with hills aud valleys,
mountains and plains, that react to the fennes-
see and Ohio on our Western border Her eli
mate is mild and genial, enabling our people TO
pursue their labor, III the open air, for longer pc
RODS than almost any the continent subject
to no extreme Nicssitude al cold or heat. water
ed with abundant showers during the whole yenr-
maturing the crops lis soil proeincrs with rapid.
ty, certainty and perfection adapted 10 the
growth of corn, wheat, tobacco. veg tahlcs-nll
the cereals common To temperate chmntc-, with
fruits and flowers in perfection and beauty. with
bays rivers and fountains unsurpassed, aud ~
the result of all, blessing our people with health
vigor and longevity.
Our soil, throughout the State. was originally
fertile, and of great variety OF character and
prodactyeness In the East much of it is worn
and impaired by iniudicious aud rigorous cultiya-
ton, but susceptible of rapid aud permanent i'm.
proyement. In the West, large Districts of fer
tile land broken by mountains, contains in pa
rity and abundance iron, coal, led gyp,am md
salt, with mineral waters of value and yarcty.-
In neither section have there been geological
surveys or scientific examinations Of the soil
sufficiently general and accurate in their char
acter to afford information upon which W can
rely. Whilst we regret the want Of such kuowI-
edge. aud whilst confidently hope it will bee
supplied under the influences of thi, aud similar
associations. still We have within our reach
sources Of information, aud means Of practical
improvement sufficient 70 secure results highly
beneficial and gratifying
From the extent Of our territory, the variety
of our soil climate and productions, the differ
ence of our pursuits and occupations, from pecu-
arties in the situations Of various sections Of oar
State it Is incumbent upon u carefully 10 eX-
anime the condition of every portion thereof,
and with the means and resources at our com
mand to improve the agricultural condition 81 the
whole The important questans, with our Ems
tern friends, are, how shall W. increase the fer
tility and productiyencss of our soil, render our
labor more poftabe, and thus arrest permanent
ly the emigration of our peoplel-while. with the
West, the important questions are, how shall we
procure the labor necessary to develop their ic-
sources, and to increase the ABILITIES for rapport
ing them to MARKET
Their solution rests almost exclusively with
the agricultural classes in our State They have
the intelligence. wealth, numbers and influence
that can enable them TO decide and control all
these questions according to their will and pleas
ure--to remedy the defects, To apply the co1rec-
ton, to remove the difficulties, and secure the
benefits all desire.
The voluntary associations which our people
eiecting, of all these classes, inspires the
frmest confidence, and affords the strongest as
suranee, that all these interests will be wisely
and periodically advanced and promoted.
10 what We to attribute the exhaustion of
the soil and the diminution of its productive
ness in Eastern Virginia! Is it the result of eli
mate and soill the effect of the peculiarly OF
our labor and its influence on our aeficultuFef