Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-10-24
ADDRESS OF HON. THOMAS RUFFIN,

this assembage of our fellow-cizens the usual an.
nual address on behalf of the Agricultural oociely
of North Carolina. heartily wish Tor your sakeS,
as well as my own that it had been allotted to some
other person more competent to instruct or enter
tain. But though reluctantly, have undertaheh
it, that might, If no other good shoulu Ge
show nv concern in the welfare of the agriculture
of North Carolina and its kindred arts, andny ze''t
for their advancement and prosperity, under co'i-
fident assurance indeed of the kind considcrauon
of North Caronians for the mpertections OF one
who though long unused to public speaking, IS sln-
cerely desirous in any way he can, OF magnlyinS
to North Carolinians their chief calling ana ONCE,
and endeavoring to make them satshed WIN 'neir
situation here.
In the first place it is fit, that to all here thanks
for their attendance and hearty welcome Should be
rendered. The purposes of the Society ana inc
modes of effecting them, are generally known anu
we invite the cooperation of all In the good WORK.
Join in our association. Let every one add what ne
can to the general fund of agriculturals knowledge
Enter into the competition for improving nIage,
perfecting and increasing the productions OF 'ne
grains the grasses, the vegetables, and the fruts OF
the EARTH animals and our implements OF nus
bandry and other manufactures; and exhibit mere
at Fairs such things as you have. Indeed, those
who bring only themselves are very welcome tor
after ALL men and women are our best produc-
tons and it only raise just pride to see them
gathered together extend acquaintance form trend
ships gain and mpart knowledge, honor agriculture,
and thereby become the more content with our lot
being cast in North Carolina.
Next the Agricultural Society owes and we ask
the agricultural community to join IN making, &C.
KIN owledgements to the General Assembly for the
pecuniary aid extended to the Society. Its useful
ness depends chiefly it's ability to offer and pay
premiums to exhibitors to such amount as may
stimulate competition and multiply exhibitions a
proper amount of premiums was larger than couid
be confidently counted at all times from the huc-
tuatinS and uncertain contributions of annual sub
scribers and visitors at the Fairs; and, since our
last annual meeting, the Society presented to the
Legislature memorial praying such assistance from
kI,o D,,I Ho1
site to the advancement of agriculture and manu-
features among us. am happy to announce here,
that, in compliance with the memorial, permanent
annual appropriation of $500 was made for the
payment of premiums, subject only to the reasona-
BILE and polite provso, that within the preceding
twelve months the Society shall have raised the like
sum for the same uses. The appropriation, II not
fully adequate to the wants and claims OF people
as agricultural those of North Carolina is yet OF
great benefit ip many respects, and chiefly as per-
manently establishing the Society and Fairs since
it cannot be supposed that the farmers and mechan-
les and traders of the State have hearts dead to
their duty and interest to let them fail for want
of contributions on their part to an equal amount
The present is the first occasion, since the grant, on
which the Society has had the opportunity of &C
knowledging this legislative bounty, and we take
much pride and pleasure in doing so.
Now, it may be asked Is the agriculture OF
North Carolina worthy of this public patronage and
of the efforts of of her citizens to promote and
improve it? l answer, Yes-yes. North Carolina
do to promote her prosperity and elevate her char
acter and her will be amply remunerated for
their efforts for her advantage and their own. Our
occupations essentiall agricutura and embrace
all its variety of notwithstanding, farming breed
ing of live stock and the culture of fruits. Until
very recently they almost exclusively agricul-
tura there natural obstacles to foreign COM
merce, difficult to overcome, and but few manufac.
turing establishments among us. In both these res
poets progress has been made and is making; and
there is good ground of hope that before long fleets
of our own merchantmen will sail from our shores,
richly laden with productions for sale exchange
in the ports of our sister States and foreign
tries; while factories of various kinds, establish
ed in different parts of the State will be multiplied
beyond any present calculation that can be made,
not only for the fabrication of the most useful I'M
plements of wood, iron, and other metals, but for
supply of those fabrics of the great South
staple, cotton which have become indispensa-
be Manufactures already, without doubt, material
helps to agriculture by diversfying employments,
increasing the consumption at home Of our crops
and stocks, and supplying on the spot and without
delay many articles needfu to the planter and far
mer. In time they will become more distinct, pro-
ductive and influential item in political ecOno
my but never think, the rival Or foe of our
agriculture, but as faithful friend and servant AS
yet however, the cultivation of the earth is the great
and productive business of North Carolina. 1t has
made US hitherto thriving and happy rural people.
We are still So and it will make still more asst
becomes improved and more productive. Why
should not the agriculture of North Carolina be as
1mpfOVeaOie ana improved, ana ner sons, engaged
in it. prosperous and happy those of any other
parts of our country? No reason of weight can be
given in the negative if will but strive for i'm
provement. Every thing is in favor, if we will
make the effolt and use the proper means; and of
that every may be satisfied if he will observe
and reflect on what is around him.
The profits and the comforts of agriculture depend
mainly on climate, soil, labor and the facilities for
disposing of SURPRISES of production. The two first
climate and SOIL should be congenial to products
quisite for the sustenance of the husbandman him
self, and in demand for others who cannot produce
for themselves. In both points North Carolina is
highly blessed. In her position the globe she
occupies that temperate and happy mean, which is
conducive to health and the vigorous exerton of the
faculties and energies of body and mind, in employ
ments tending more than all others to the hospital
tiles and charities of life and the other virtues of the
heart, and which constitutes climate, that in uni
son with her fertile soil, yields abundantly to the
dgent tiller nearly all the necessaries and many of
the luxuries required by man. We do not work
barely to maintain life but beyond that to realise
gains that may be employed in the addition of other
things productive of the elevation and refinement of
civilized man. Our winters, by their duration and
rlgor do not confine us long within DOORS
US to consume the productions of our labor during the
other parts of the years but able prosecute
our field operations and comfortably pursue pro-
ductive employments throughout the four seasons.
Though not OF such extent of latitude thereby to
create much variety of climate and consequently of
production yet, the dimensions of North Carolina
east and west supply that deficiency in a remarka-
BILE degree. The proximity to the of her cas-
tern coast, and the difference in elevation between
fhn nfo1V1n ofk1 49,