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

d
lrcd? shall not, on tho present occa.
sion, attempt To say. But | will say that
this great duty should be discharged by
some means. II it he necessary, and If
il be competent. let Congress establish
a great national agricultural bureau OF
university. Let the State establish and
endow agricultural colleges and normal
schools. lfneed be, every county sho'd
I have one or more agricultural acadc-
mics, liberally endowed. aud tuition
free; or let scientific men be appointed
to analyze the snls Of every farm and
every field, to visit every farm house,
aud advise, instruct, aud do whatsoever
may be necessary, to diffuse throughout
the community n correct knowledge of
the true principles Of agricultural sci
ence. In short, whatsoever may. for
this purpose, be required TO be done,
let it be thoroughly done.
/ You perceive, gentlemen, that | am
suggesting high standard, and propose
oold measures to reach it. What pro.
pose may require labor and considera
BILE expenditures of money. But the
recompense would more than repay the
toll; aud as to the expences Of such u
system. they would be judicious invest
ment Of The States credit and capital.
even in respect of pccunia,y contribu-
tions To her treasury, aside from all in
dividual and personal advantage con-
fured on the farmer. Whatsoever in
Creases the value Of our lands, whatso-
ever muItples tho subject of taxation
aud increases the wealth Of u State
must benefit its public revenues to the
same extent; and. therefore, whatsoever
Improves the agriculture Of the COM
monwealth, increases its revenues no
less than the wealth and happiness of
the people.
In fine, gentlemen, conceive iha,
the agriculture of Stale is the cardin-
} al principle of it's welfare. and is pre-
emiuently entitled to tho first, the high.
: est and most Jealous care aud encour.
agement of tho government. SO, that
whilst | would not arrest or ombarrass
tho operation Of the general or of the
Stale government, in their efforts TO uc-
complIsh all their legitimate works Of
Internal or external Improvement, which
they have already undertaken, or NAV
yet undertake. | would have them be.
stow superior attention upon agricul.
ture. Ii may be and no doubt is, impor-
r tant TO drcdge out all the snags from
the Mississippi. But is it not more i'm
J poitant To eradicate the vicious princi
: pies aud usages of our imperfect agii-
J culture, and To improve TO the highest
} degree tho fertility and productive ca
paci,ies of the soil. We should be
J thankful for the roads, canals and other
means of access TO market, provided by
our Legislators. But the obligation wo'd
be vastly enhanced if still more proyi.
dent and beneficial policy, that would
give To the people such an improved s.
scientific system of agriculture as would
enrich the fountains and enlarge the
, streams, which are to flow to mark kel
through these channels. 1t is not worth
while to stop here TO question the poll
icy of appropriaIing millions to the pur-
chase OF foreign territory. Bat snleI y
it were a wise economy to inpiovo The
broad acres wo already possess, by ev.
cry practicable and indicious meaus.-
Oar exclusive aud rapidly Increasing
common ce, 40 doubt, demands that our
rivers. lakes, harbois, &c. should receive
great attention from the govcrmment.-
But what would all commerce amount
to, without the supplies furnished d.
rectiy aud indirectly by our agriculture?
The is Tie basis Of every other depart.
mont Of tho nationnI prosperity. L,
ought therefore; to be The primary ob.
joct OF the national! regard
There too, are our army ard navy
our arsenais and armories, aud all the
means and appliances of tho national
! defence and protection. But | would
increase their strength, and augment
| their efficiency by an element of power
and national security, exceeding them
dll--l | mean by well educated and
scientific agricultural population. Here
a'tor oil is The strong hold of popular
institutions.
wish | had the faculty Of loscrip. |
tion so as to appropriately portray my I,
ideal of tho American Farmer. | wish |
could describe him as | can conceive |
him. | will even venture to delineate !
few of his features. Let Us, there
fore, visit him OF his hohe. Wo will
select somo Saturday AFTERNOON whom
tho foils Of tho week are ended. The
first thing attracting our attention is the
general aspect Of his farm. 1t is not as
remarkable for its extent as it Is for
II general symei'yof oppcafaucc. His
fields arc not laid out OF random, bot ey.
cry fence is just where the cyo which
loves regularity and fitness, would de.
si'o it to be. No, no2ions weed dare
to show its head on his premises. His
orchard looks vigorous and Thrifty ond
bis catalogue Of fruits shows that 10 in.
icrior kind is allowed to cncumber his
ground. His ample barn is exactly in
the right place; and its constructiOuI
seems To combine every principle Of