Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-12-19

cent introduction OF science and skill II
the agricultural, mechanical and manu-
featuring departments. It is believed BY
many in other states that property is de
teriorating in Virginia, and that our coun
try is becoming depopulated. The stats
tics Of the past would Justify such con
clusion but it affords me pleasure tc
say that the reverse is the fact at thi'
time. 1t is true, that land in tide water
districts deteriorated in value, during the
twenty years preceding 1885, to the start
ling amount of ten millions of dollars
that other interests deprecated in SINH
lar ratio that many of our enterprising
young men reluctantly abandoned their
father land and all the endearments and
associations which cluster around their
native home, and in search of better land
were seen vending their way to the al
Turing west. The old fields thus aban.
doned were growing up in pine, and
seemed rapidly returning to primeyal sol.
itude. But it is equally true that the
late assessment shows an increase in the
value of the same lands, in the short pc
riod of 12 years, exceeding seventeen
millions of dollars, with improved crops,
the annual increase of which has more
than doubled within the same period.
The same may be said of the entire
State. Every interest furnishes evidence
of prosperity and increasing wealth, and
our people have every reason to be con-
tented and happy.
We have thus furnished, within our
own state, the evidence of the beneficial
effects growing out of the application of
science to agricultural purposes. Its
practical advantages and lasting benefits
are too palpable to have escaped the notice
! of the most casual observer. 1t has &C
complished more to improve the soil,
augment the crops, elevate the labOring
class in the rural districts, prevent emf.
grafton and make glad the heart OF
the husbandman than all other ap>
Plications which have been employed
within the last century. These desirable
changes have, it is true, been effected
without the aid of the oficeR whose ap-
pointment recommend; yet all will ad-
NIT they are to be ascribed to the occa-
sional efforts of few scientific gentlemen,
who have magnanimously devoted por-
tion of their time and money to the chem>
ical analysis of the soil, the discovery oi
calcareous and compost manures, and the
judicious application of these to the
growth Of vegetables. For this they are
entitled to our gratitude and favorable
acknowledgements. But how much grea-
ter improvement might be accomplished
by the untiring and we'll directed efforts
of a practical chemist, furnished with the
lights of science, with modern improve.
ments, and with the necessary apparatus
to apply his knowledge to the best adyan-
| tage.
Much has been effected too by the state
agricultural society and its auxiIiaries
But this institution, though no longer an
experiment, and in fourishing and per-
manent condition, is the result of individ.
ual enterprise, and has been reared and
nurtured at the expense of individual lib,
erality, and though you may rely to g
certain extent upon public spirit and pa
trlotism, and they may be appealed tc
successfully in times of peril and emer,
gency, they should not be taxed too hea.
vily when no such emergency exists.
1 therefore again respectfully invite
your attention to the sub bject, and trus
that you will not only call to your aid the
services of a competent agricultural chem
ist, but that you will not permit the geo
logical survey heretofore undertaken tc
languish, but cause it to be speedily com.
pleted, and develop the incalculable trea
sures embedded in our valleys, our plains
and our mountains.
l submit herewith the annual report o
the rector and visitors of the University o
| U;r,.;r;o ,vb;cL ovL;h;ts tl,a ;os,;t,t;Or -
most prosperous and fourisiug condi'
ton, sustaining in an eminent degree, the
high reputation it has long deserved.
ly enjoyed.
The young men annually sent fortl
from this institution to commingle will
the masses in their various pursuits, can
not fail to exert a wholesome influence
and leave their impress upon the commu
nifty in which they move. l would, there
fore recommend an increase of the mum
Der to be gratuitously educated with sucl
an increased appropriation as will enable
the institution to accomplish this purpose
Would that the number could be aug
mented until the sons of the INDECENT anc
the wealthy could find a common plat
form, accessible to all that the portal
of the university could be thrown opeE
wide as the attributes Of divine mercy
and proclaiming, " WhOsoever will, lie
him take the waters of life freely" Blu
it cannot be expected that single institu
ton can afford the necessary instruction
to a population like that Of Virginia. In
telIigence is the property of the nation
and constitutes the principal element t.
secure respect from abroad, and secu6t.
and happiness at home. To obtain it
any reasonable sacrifice should be made
!, and no effort neglected which could in
sure it with certainty. We ought, there
fore, to extend aid to our colleges, an
open their halls to those who cannot oh
tain the benefits of university education.