Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1854-03-14

ent GlSgraceS many sections OF our State.
The benefits arising from this system will be
expected not only in the improvement Of our
stock, but will extend to the various products Of
our fields and orchards. Like produces like
this is a law of nature; this is principle well 10
be understood. Ii the seed which you cast into
the earth be Indifferent, the yield or product
will be Indifferent No one will therefore ex-
pect the award of prize for his crop unless
he has paid the greatest care and attention to
the selection Of the seed from which it has
grown-Hence none will be used for planting
purposes but such as are well matGred and OF
/ the most choice and prolific varieties. Expert
ments will be tried and the best nodes OF ftlllases
aed the kinds Of soil best adapted TO the growth
aud maturity Of each viii be ascertained. Thus
gradual but constant improvement will be
/ kept up in the various products Of Our felds.-
And who will say there Is not room for improve
ment in these particulars? Has perfection been
attained? Are there no new discoveries to be
made? no new truths to be evolved and unfold
ed in this great science and in its practical
application. How Is this to be done? Is it not
/ by bringing the public mind to bear directly
upon it, to reason, to investigate, to expert
ment?
But, sir, this is not all that is to De attaine d.
From the rivalry that will spring up--in the
struggle for the highest premiums to be award
! ed, other and more important results than any
! to which we have yet alluded will be reached
| mean the renovation, the improvement and
preservation Of our soils. No one could hope
or expect the award of q prize for a crop grown
in the ordinary way and upon ordinary soil. 1t
will be absolutely essential to success that the
most perfect culture be practiced, and the most
ST stimulating manures applied. The benefits re-
suihng from this superior tiliage, and the app
cation OF stlmuantS to the soil. will be SO ap-
parent. that from q small beginning with few
Of the more enterprising farmers, the practice will
gradually spread over the State, and be adopted
by all. Every ore being thus brought to see
and acknowledge the great Importance of col
!ccting and applying fertilizers, all those means
necessary to secure the greatest practical re-
suits from their use viii be Immediately and at
once adopted-deeper plOugLing and more
thorough 1ulverization Of tie soil horizontal
culture and hillside ditching, so essential to the
preservation of our undulating lands will follow
as natural consequence. Thus instead of a
constant deterioration ofour soils, they will be
preserved and their fertility annually increaS-
ed.
Nor is this bill simply and alone for the bene-
fit ofthe farming and agricultural Interest, but
its provisions embrace, every branch of me-
chancs. These exhibitions are to be as much
for the display of specimens Of artistic and me-
chauical skill and in ingenuity, as the products
Of the form. No distinction is conte mplated,
none will be known in the various industrial
pursuits.
Again the establishment of these exhibitions
will create a market for the sale and purchase
Of the various improvements connected with
this branch of business. Much good in this
h. L.
quently the case now that persons really aux-
ions to procure animals of higher grade, of
! improved implements of husbandry, grains,
seeds and various products, do not know where
or how they can be had. These difficulties are
great and do much to prevent their general in
PRODUCTION and diffusion over the State. But
put this system into operation and these diff
culties will be obviated. At the various points
where these annual fairs are held will be col
lected the finest animals off every variety known
to the country, the most improved farming i'm
plements and agricultural products. Those
desirous Of purchasing will know where these
things are to be had those having them for sale
will know where purchaser can be found
Further, these exhibitions will call together
the farmers and mechanics of tie surrounding
country. An interchange of ideas on their
pursuits, will take place. The different modes
OF tiliage, and the means adopted for the pres
ervation Of the soil practced by each, will be
discussed and compared-the qualities, advan-
tageS and disadvantages of various kinds of
stock-of MISUNDERSTANDING implements
grains-fruits. and every variety Of products
general diffusion viii thus take place of the
best practical kla0cledge the country Affords
An interest will be excited; industry, research
and inventive ingenuity viii be aroused and
cod, nd
ture will be sought after and studied;and finally
under the influence of this system our fields will
smile under the best and most approved modes
of culture, our farms will be stocked with the
finest and purest blooded animals, orchards loa-
ded with tie most celebrated varieties of fruits
and our farms supplied with the best imple-
ments of agriculture that skill and ingenuity
can contrive.
But it is said, and used as an argument
against this measure, that the people will not
take an interest in it. l do not think so.
think there's intelligence and enterprise enough
among our farmers and mechanics to induce the
deepest interest in this matter, to insure that
they will take hold of it in the proper spirit.
for one am willing and anxious that the expert
mentshall be tried Ifthey take no interest in it,
its passage can do no harm, if they do the best
results may flow from it. Bat sir, the very OBJ
iect Of the measure is to excite and arouse the
public mind upon this subject, and that such
will be its effects, is proven by the experience
of other States. So deep and alLprevading is
the interest manifested in the exhibitions where
established and encouraged by law, and of such
uncomfortable Importance are they considered
to those interests which they are intended to
promote, that the best efforts Of genius and elo-
qnence have been expended in their praises
| have often wondered in reading accounts !
Of these great exhibitions in other States; ofthe
deep interest which they excite in the public
mind; and the immense benefits derived from
them, that Tennessee should remain so long
without them. l have no doubt that their es- |
tablishment here would create like interest /
and confer similar benefits. The friends of
this bill do not claim perfection fol it. | am
free to confess that it is not such q one as |
would prefer. But under the circumstances it |
is perhaps the best we can do. The great OBJ
iect is to get the system in operation, and |
should defects exhibit themselves, they can be .
remedied by future legislation.
] cannot believe, sir, that this House will re-
iect bill of such magnitude and Importance.
| cannot believe that the small appropriation
which it makes for the benefit and encourage
ment of those great interest will be refused I
protest against its rejection in the name of the
farmers and mechanics of the State. 1t is
from the pockets of these two classes that your
treasury is replenished and while appropriations
are made SO lavishy for the purpose and that,