Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-11-09
ADDRESS OF HON. THOMAS RUFFIN, OF



Delivered before the State Agricultural Society Of
North Carolina, Oct. 18Th, 1855.
The duty has been assigned to me OF making col
this assemble e of fellow-citlzens the usual an
nual address behalf of the Agricultural society
of North Carolina. heartily wish for your sakes,
as we'll as nv own that it had been allotted to some
other person more competent to instruct or enter
tain But though reluctantly, have undertaken II,
that might, if other good should be done, snow
nv concern in the welfare CT the agriculture OF
North Carolina and its kindred arts and my zeal tor
their advancement and prosperity under a confident
assurance indeed of the kind consideration OF North
Carolinans for the imperfections OF one who though
long unused to public speaking, is sincerely desrous,
in any way he can, of magEifylng to North CAROLYN
ans their chief calling and Office, and endeavoring
to make them satisfied with their 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 and the
modes of efecng them, generally known and
we invite the co operation of all in the good work
Join in our association. Let every one add what he
can to the general fund of agricultural knowledge.
Enter into the competition for improving tlllage,
perfectng and increasing the productions OF the
grans the grasses the vegetables, and the fruits of
| the earth, our animals, and our Implements of kus
bandry, and other manufactures and exhibit here
at our Fairs such things you have. Indeed, those
who bring only themselves very welcome for
after all, our men and women our best produc-
tons and il can only raise our just pride to them
gathered together to extend acquaintance, form
friendships, gain and impart knowledge, honor agrl-
culture, and thereby become the content with
our lot being cast in North Carolina.
! Next the Agricultural Society owes, and ask
the agricultural community to join in making &C
acknowledgements to the General Assembly for the pc
cuniary aid extended to the Society. Its usefulness
depends chiefly its ability 10 offer and pay prem
ums to exhibitors to such an amount as may stlmu-
late competition and multiply exhibitions proper
amount of premiums was larger than could be conf
| tod oil Hnof naflD
and uncertain contributions of annual subscribers
and visitors at the Fairs and, since our last annual
meeting, the Society presented to the Legislature
memorial praying such assistance from the Public
Treasury as that body might deem requisite TO the
advancement of agrcultures and manufactures among
u.s. am happy to announce here, that in compliance
with the memorial, a permanent annual appropria-
ton of $500 made for the payment of prem-
ums subject only TO the polite proviso, that within
the preceding twelve months, the Society shall have
raised the like for the same The appropri-
a,ion if not fully adequate to the wants and claims
of people agricultural as those OF North Carroll
ma, is yet of great benefit in many respects, and
chiefly as permanently establishing the Society and
Fairs, since it cannot be supposed that the farmers
and mechanics and traders of the State have hearts
so dead TO their duty and interests to let them fail
for want of contributions their part TO an equal
amount The present is the first occasion since the
grant, on which the Society has had the opportunity
of acknowledging this legislative bounty and we
Now, it may be asked Is the agriculture of North
Carolina worthy of this public patronage, and OF the
efforts of of her citizens 10 promote and improve
it? | answer, Yes-yes, North Carolina is entitled
to ALL that every one OF her people can do to promote
her prosperity and elevate her character; and he1
sons will he amply remunerated for their efforts fol
her advantage and their Our occupations are
essentially agricultural, and embrace all its variety
of pursuits - planting, farming, breeding of live
stock and the culture of fruits Until very recent
how p11n IU aprlou Itur0
were natural obstacles 10 foreign commerce difficult
=, 10 overcome, and but few manufacturing establish
ments among US. In both these respects progress
has been made and is making and there is good
ground Of hope, that before long fleets of own
merchantmen will sail from our shores, richly laden
with our productions for sale exchange in the
ports of sister States and forei gn countries while
factories of various kinds established in differ
ent parts of the State will be multiplied beyond any
present calculation that can be made, not only fol
the fabrication of the most useful implements oil
wood, iron, and other metals, but for our supply Of
those fabrics out of the great Southern staple cotton
which have become Indispensable Manufactures
4 are already without doubt, material helps 10 agr
culture by diversifying empoyments, increasing the
consumption at home of our crops and stocks, anC
: supplying the spot and without delay many arti
cles needfu TO the planter and farmer. In time they
will become more distinct productive, and infuen
tal item in political economy; but never, think
as the rival or foe of agriculture but faithful
: friend and servant. AS yet, however, the cultiva
ton of the earth is the great and productive business
S of North Carolina. 1t has made us hitherto thriv
= ing and happy rural people. We are still So and il
0 will make us still more So as it becomes improved
c and more productive. Why should not the agricu
ture of North Carolina be improbable and improved
and her soss, engaged in it, prosperous and happy
as those of any other parts of our country No rea
son of weight can be given in the negative, if We
will but strive for improvement. Every thing is il
our favor if we will make the effort and use the pro
Der hn or
if he will observe and reflect what is around him
The profits and the comforts of agriculture depend
mainly on climate: soil, labor and the facilities fol
dsposng of SURPRISES of production. The two first
D climate and SOIL should be congenial 10 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 il
hig bly, blessed. In her position the globe she
cupes that temperate and happy mean, which is con
ducve TO health and the vigorous exeron of the fac
utes and energies of body and mind, in employ
ments tending more than all others to the hospita
ties and charities of life and the other virtues of the
Y heart, and which constitutes climate, that, in uni
son with her fertile soil, yields ahundanty to the
diigent tiIler nearly all the necessares and many
the Inquiries 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 Our winters, by their duration anC
o rigor do not confne long within doors, nor cause
consume the productions of our labor during the
other parts of the We: but able 10 prosecute
our field operations and comfortably pursue our pro-
r duCtve employments througho the four seasons
Though not of such extent of latitude thereby tt
create much variety of climate and consequently Of
production yet the dimensions of North Carolina
east and west supply that deficiency in remarkable
degree. The proximity to the ocean OF her eastern
coast, and the difference in elevation between that
and the mountains of the west, with the gradatons
! in the intermediate regions, produces diversity oil