American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1855-11-24
A ibid Ba, il s. s.
W. T. WILEY, ESQ.,,
BEFORE THE
Western va. Agricultural Society
and Industrial Institute.
DELIVERED AT WHEELING, va, SEP. 27, 1855.

. >---------------
q GENTLEMEN Among all the extra
ordinary activities and multifarious en-
terprises of the present busy age none
is more hopeful and suggestive of BEN
Efficient results than the increasing in
terest and efforts every where msni-
Tested in regard to agricultural i'm
provement
Heretofore, indeed the mere art and
process of tiilage and husbandry have
been highly cultivatedi in manyrespects
by the invention and skill of our coun-
trymen. In the mere mode Of fextract-
ing the largest crops from the soil the
American farmers are famous.
But, gentlemen, agriculture is more
than an art /: it is science. 1t is an
important science. Allow me to say
that it is perhaps, most important of
all the sciences. 1t is, in some sense
the basis and support of all the other
sciences, and consequently, of all the
arts. AT least the arts and sciences
have never houyished permanently in
the absence of a prosperous agricul-
ture. Ii seems to be the pillar of all
prosperity. And has its fundamental
principles as necessary to be under
stood and observed by the farmer
as the principles of any other art and
mystery are necessary to be known and
obeyed by those engaged in the pursuit
of them.
tits an unworthy and unwarrantable
estimate of the occupation of the farm
or that ever tolerated--and still, / fear
tolerates, in some decree, the notion
that it requires little mental capacity
or educational culture---that our sons
may be unfit to acquire a knowledge
of any of the learned professions, or e.
ven some Of the more difficult arts, and
yet be quite competent for the pursuits
of agriculture. We sometimes hear it
said ofa boy: "Hc has not capacity
for anything elsc---he will do for far
mer." 1t has been the case and / am
afraid is so still among farmers them
selves; that their duties are decried as
mere drudgery, the performance Of
which is assigned by a false estimate
of their nature andimportance to those
who have no capacity for anything but
drudgery. have been mortified to
know that the time is not yet fully pas
sed away wherein the cultivation of the
soil is regarded by some as unworthy
of the attention of men of parts and
distinction. There fingers among us
still the miserable relics Of kind of
hereditary predjuice, begotten and
nurtured in the eyes OF feudal aristocra-
cy and barbarism, that would still con-
fine our husbandry to serfs and SER
wants, and would characterize the first
andnoblest Of all pursuits as menial and
degrading. Itis painful to see what
an influence this ancient prejudice has
over some of the best of our farmers,
who, stimulatedby mistaken ambition
are eager to procure for their sons
place in mercantile establishments
OF in the offices of professional gentle
men,. Away with such improper esti-
nation Of your calling, gentlemen. It
is a foolish, q miserable, cruel mistake.
1t is high time that it should be foroy-
cr repudiated.
Why, gentlemen, agriculture is tho
Grst, the most necessary, and the most
honorable Of all pursuits. 1t lies at
the foundation Of all civilization. 1t
is the chief element ofnational prosper
ity and power. Every department of
the national welfare is indissolubly
connected with it. When it hourishes
our commerce fourishes, and when it
languishos our commerce languishes. -
The same may be said Of manufactures.
In short when it declines society in all
its relations and interests feels the shock
and suffers proportionate injury. 1t
is the civil barometer, infallibly indica-
ting the rise and fall Of the common.
wealth in every rami6cat.on Of the pub.
lic welfare,