Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-03-08
AGRICULTURAL.
MIR. WEBSTER AS A FARMER AND
SPORTSMAN.

But Mr.. Websters mind was eminently prae-
teal, and it was by no means through his taste
and feelings alone, that he entered into this
intimate communion with nature. He allied
himself to it by one of the chief pursuits of his
life. Notwithstanding the expressing nature Of
his professional and official duties, he gave as
much time to agriculture as is given by most
persons 10 their main occupation. His Two ex-
iensye farms at Franklir ami Marshfed, the
former the much loved place Of his birth, the
latter the scarcely less favored resor, of which
he became possessed in middle life, were carried
on under his immediate superintendence- NOT
the nominal supervision Of amateur agricuiur-
lists, leaving everything great and small, 10 a
foreman; but a minute aud intelligent superyi-
sion given IN particulars, to The work of ever,
week, and where it was possible, every day
when at home by actual direction, and when
absent by regular aud detailed correspondence
In the large mass ofMr. Webster letters, there
is no subject more frequently treated, or with
greater interest than this, in his correspondence
with his foreman AVID others in relation to his
farms. Brought up on New England farm,
he knew something from the associations of his
early days Of old-fashiuned husbandry and in
his latter life, observation, experiment and books
had kept him up with The current Of all the re-
cent improvements.
With every department of husbandry-the
qualities Of the soil. the great art of enrichina
il, 10 which modern chemistry has given such
extension The succession OF crops and their
comparative adaptation TO our soil and climate,
the varieties Of animals, and their preference
. for draft, flesh and dairy; tire construction and
use of agricultural inplemenis-wiih all these
subjects 10 all their branches and detail, he APP
peared 10 me as familiar as with the elementary
principles of his profession. His knowledge of
them was practical as Aell as theoretical, derv-
ed in part from experience, and actually applied
by him IN the management Of his own farms
lie had an especial tondness for fine live stock
and possessed admirable specimens of it, Eu-
ropean and American. This taste never desert.
ed him. On one of the last DAYS of his life. he
caused himself 10 be moved 10 favorite bay
window, and after he had been employed with
his friend and secretary, (Mr. G. ]. Abboi, , in
debating part of his will, he directed ,brec
fayorile yoke Of Hungarian oxen 10 be driven
up to this window, and having entered into A
particular description of their age, breed and
history gave directions for their being weighed
and measured the following day. No subject
attracted more Of his attention in England than
farming. The only public speech made by him
IN that country, of which a report has been pre-
served, was that made at the meeting of the
royal agricultural society at Oxford. Ills first
public address on his return TO this country. do.
hyered IN the state house in Boston, contained
the results of his observations on the agriculture
OF England, Many of you, my friends, must
have heard Mr.. Webster converse on aarieuItu-
nal topics. reeollecl on one occasion TO have
nearu nun explain the conditions which deter
mine the limits within which The various cereal
grains can be cultivated to ADVANTAGE IN r,',on,
and America unfolding the ductrine ofiso,be,.
mai lines, lneonneclion with the various grains
some Of which require long summer and some
hot summer His remarks on The subject.
evidently thrown off without premedilaiion'
would ID. nave enriched The pages of scientific