American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1855-11-24

tage. But do we know how tn sustain
our landsl That is more important
question. Gentlemen, undertake to
say thn, there is not a more interesting
and vitality important question which
can be addressed either To the American
farmer or to- The American statesman,
/ than this. The preservation of the soil
from impoverishment. aud The increase,
!. possible. of its original native fertility.
| lie at the foundation of our individual
and national prosperity. Constant de-
| ple'ion of the soil, however skilful we
may be in tho mere art and tao, of till.
age, must ultimately result in abs olute
sierility. Restitution is Indispensable
This is ono of the fundamental princi-
pies of the moral law 1t is equally es-
sental in the natural world Nature is
a glorious and beneiicent mistress but
we must repay her bountes To some ex-
tent, to show that we appreciate her fa-
vors else she pines and dies.
Lo"k at the cotton plantations of,h
s"nlh! why is it tha, field after field is
abandoned To sickly thistles aud super
anuua,ed mules will tell you. The
eager planter, year after year, taxes, to
the utmost the resources of his soil,
without making any restitution. His
crops are wholly removed. They new
er stop till they find lodgmeut in the
wai ebouses of the northern manufactur-
ers, or until they have crossed the At
lanlic to feed tho devouliug jaws ufihc
British miller. Why. il is Just like
working generous horse day aud night
without rest or feed. 1t is similar to
the policy of the old lady. of whom you
have all heard, who had the go-se that
every day laid golden egg. Tired of
the slow hnt certain and daily augment.
alton of her wealth, she impatiently
killed the fruitful bird. to get at once
at the fountain of her riches. But alas!
shc found nnught but barrenness, and
all her living was cut off. A. we'll
might tho banker expect To maintain his
credit while his capital was daily di.
m'nlshlng, as the farmer to suppose that
his fields will remain equally productive
under the exhansting process of vigor-
GUS lillage. if he fail to supply them
with the element of production. The
moaning of tho Winds among tho " old
: field pines Of Eastern Virginia, repeat
the melancholy story ofthe same sys-
tenn oi improvidrnt husbauGry; whist
the running brier which is supplanting
the green turf that used To carpet our
own rich hills, is sad exemplihcation
that our farmers too, are mure iutcnt
Dp"n their present crops than they are
upon the preservation nf the soil. But
we are not alone obnoxious to this inn
Peachment. Ii seems To be q universal
evli. Few States, perhaps, have be-
slowed more attention upon The subject
OF agriculture than Massachusetts.-
And yet her State Board of Agriculture
a few years ago. made the startling an
n"uncement. 'sihat although there have
been added 10 The lands underimprove-
meDi, since lS40 more than 500 600 a.
cres, and although the uplaudS, aud 9th.
or moving lands. have been increased
mo'o than 80 600 acres. or nearly Is
per cent, yet the hay crops have in
creased only about per cent; and al.
'h"ugh tho 'iIlage lands have been in.
creased more than 10000 acres in The
same period, yet there has been 10 in.
crease in the grain craps, bnt an abso.
luie depreciation Of 100000 bushels"
On his state of facts The Boa,d predi
cate strong resolution for Improvement
III tho science of agriculture.
Buf, gentlemen. these hos,y sugnes.
tons must suffice on this point. They
arc sufficient hope, To indicate the i'm
| portanco of scientific knowledge of
tho great principles of agriculture. l.
90 not mean that the farmer should
speak Latin to his horses, or call his
pigs III Greek, or even court his sweet. |
heart in French. But do mean that a
Knowledge of the general principles of
tho natural scieuces--of mechanics
and especially Of chemistry, geology, |
and natural histnry--wopld contribute |
greatly To bis success IN The cultivation
"i Tho soil, and I" his cnjoymcnrs as
man; that it wonid elevate his cbarac.
ter. aud impurt to him neral, social |
aud political influence which he cannot
obtain without iii that it would enable
him To improve. To dignity and To adornl
his profession; aud thus To- the same ex
tent, promote the welfare aud glory of
the Commonwealth.
But the great question is, how can an
object SO desirable and important. be
most successfully accomplished Vol.
untaty, local rganizotions, such as yours
is, arc contributing immensely to this
result. They inspire al admirable spirit
of honorable emulation and competition.
This leads to reflections, to experiment,
TO effort, aud consequently to improve.
ment.
But, gentlemen, you ought hot to be
satisfied with these loca! and partial or
gonizations and entorprise5. The Sta,o
owes you debt--a great debt. IL is
your sweat, so to speak, tha, oils the
wheels Of government. II is your toll
which supplies tho means Of govern
ment. IL is your fields, your herds. The
DrOduc,juns of yo,,r lnbnr ,.L;L -