The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1856-09-04
Report on Agriculture. 4

Mr. HOLLOWAY, from thr committee "1i
Agriculture in the House Of Representatives
nude tie following report:
The majority Of the Committee ON Agri-
culture regarding the interests committed 10
their consideration Of primary importance
beg leave to submit a bill to establish al
economical department OF the government
xbch shall be devoted 70 the promotion and
Encouragement Of the great agricultural in
trests ot the country.
Agriculture Is the bae,a of or national
urosperity fl i, the subsrlofan1 Of all other
interest; and the degree of advancement
which marks the progress Of our country and
ns people in wealth., enterprise, education
and substantial independence, is measured
bv the prosperity of rs rural interests. 1t
i one of those arts which, from the earliest
oeriods, have been dcscryediy held IN the
highest estimation Dac Of the first injunc-
ions upon our original progenitor, after his
expulsion from the ,ardcu Of Eden. was that
he should .'tiI the soil The great nec"s-
stv which, in the eye oi Infinite Wisdom,
made this command imperative from the first,
has ever since existed: and the experience
Of all the world, in all periods Of is history,
has fully demonstrated that the cultivation
Of the sql is Of primary importance in secu-
ring prosperity, and hence should receive
the first and most liberal patronage Of the
government IT furnishes the material upon
which the manufacturer cEcrt~ his skill. Il
furnishes commerce with It's business, and IS
Intimately connected with the moral, social.
and political Interest," Of the people. In our
country, above all others. should this great
interest be promoted.
Your committee. however cannot ask that
so important Il change be made in the econ
omy Of our government. upon this subject,
without calling your attention TO the opinions
and recommendations OF those who have
higher claims upon your confidence, and
particularly one whose wisdom and political
experience commands the admiration of the
civilized world. General Washington. in his
last annual message t. Congress, and after
seven wears devotion, as President, to the
consideration of the best means to develop
the resources Of the country, declared:
1T will not he doubted that, with refer
ence either to individual or national welfare,
.GRlcCLTCREis is Of PRIMARY Importance. la
proportion as nations advance III population
and other circumstances of maturity, this
truth becomes mu,r apparent. and Renders
the cultivation Of the soil more and more an
object of public patronage. institutions ion
Promoting il grow up, supported by the pub
tc nprs,. and to what .nirrt can il be dcli,a.
led with greatcr proprietv! Among the
means which have been employed to thi.
end none have been attended with greater
success than the establishment Of boards
composed of proper characters. charged
With collecting ana dittusiug Information,
and enabled by premiums aud small pecunia-
nv aids, 10 eaeaur@-a and assist Il spirit OF
discovery and inp9o,emcut. This species
Of establishment root-,}.uras d,,l.Iv :, ;he
iocreos, .,r .,c,,e..- bv stifnulatin,r IN
enternr;so AMI o>.,.,;-.....'r And Inv draTi,,o