Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-10-05
rCGsDA1 MORNING, OCTOBER :
,cY,crJ,rrRAL IMPROVEMENTS

TUESDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 3.
AGRICULTURAL IMPROVEMENTS
E.Una OF the mos, shseri", features of tie tiI.ss i.
"a inreres; given 20 IN" siIi act q: agriculture. II
N inif-e,ed by the rnse.ings of kiodred associations
all over the country. Tbs ustiolsl gathering Of the
agricultural clans in this city on the 25:h instant VII!
De a great event and will do much to stimulate simi
lar associations throughout Virginia. They have Il
great work before them-ihe ~energs'ic conduct OF
which must rebound to the wealth and prosperity OF
the country. One OF the most important subjects
that can attract their attention lie The deterioration OF
lands, due TO a system Of tilage which has gradual
" exhausted the elements of production. Not only
IN the old, but in the new States, 1t Is asserted oy
those familiar with the subject. there has been a
great diminution in all the products Of the earth. II
is also stated by the New Orleans Plcayune," among
other facts, that there has been a marked loss Of the
strength Of the tobacco orop-as determined
by the amount of potash in the ashes OF the
iobseco-demonstrating the want OF the constituent
elements Of the plant, which "muss bs found In the
coil or i, dies; and whs. is oncs as.imilated and en-
tcrs into iis growth must bs returned aga;n or the
earth loses It's capacity OF continued production
To Our agricultural societies We must look for the
practical remedy to re-invigorats the exhausted 'oii
by the study of ohsnicsl laws, by an analysis of soils.
fertilizers aud the great staples produced and by AZ
sssiduous aud oritica! watching OF the operations e
oa,ure. and the peculiar sdsp,sdne;s OF coils for VI
rious products.
Even in England the condition of agriculture ia a
subject Of examination. =. a late meeting of the
British Agricultural Association las we learn from
g correspondent Of the New York Journal of Com
msrce,) Alderman Mechi said that though great pro.
grees had been made in British agriculture, ye; IL
VS. sadly deficient; the cultivation Of The country WAS
only 40 deep a. a common wine glass; its return per
acre was not more, on an average, than four pour &c
s;srlioe Of actual available produce. The i%utrcd",-
t,n of steam in cultivation was a great point.
He hoped that for all general purposes, as thra.h
log, grinding, and so forth, most farmers used he
steam engine. Fifteen years ago he was pronounc. d
q madman for having a steam engine on a farm of ioO
acres. But the gentlemen who then thought he tMr.
Mechi) had lost tis wits were now following the came
course. And his bearers might depend upon ii that
th,y would never develop the full powers Of sgricul-
ture until they brought steam to bear on cultivation.
Their FIVE inches OF cultivation would be eIchsn led
for two feet or three feet, he eaid that very guardedly.
they all knew how much was raised by market gar
dsners, aud that was done by depth of cultivation
aud great manuring. Perhaps gentlemen we're not
aware also that the horses now used in agriculture
consumed Que fifth Of the whole produce of The cuun.
try. When they introduced steam their horses w ud
eat coal instead ofcoru. aud coal, were much cheap, 2
than The corn, which would be eaten by the hcrtes
necessary to do the came amount of work"
A, ,ha lafa maatinpa of tha Sco.tiah Sociatiea II v,a.
predicted by several experienced speakers, tina,
s,sam would accomplish as much for agriculture az
IL had done for manufacturer. In tue London Times
., lss. month. there is a long communication, enii-
tisa-Fac,s about English farming, especially the us-
OF the steam plough, r-p!ete with striking and lns,r NC.
tivs details. American farmers may consult, also,
tia report OF the trials, for the 500 pounds sterling
priss. at Chester, of the steam p!ouyhs in Compel
hon. Fuwler's machine obtained 1t; large gold m.da,
wac awarded to the machine of tbs Messrs. Howard {;
an application Of steam power to facilitate autumnal
cultivation.
II this country, too, public atten'i,l he's been
called to the advantages of steam cultivation. The
STATE Board Of Agriculture Of Illinois offered a pre-
minD Of $4,000 for steam ~ploughs. Oaly ons was on
the ground-that OF Fawks's locomotive stenn
p'ooSo VI hoSos'S'b 49, - ~ ouCCcsoluuy ttobQ
the ,ss, at the late State Fair, as 10 stated BY the Nsw
York Tribune" 1t is said to be easily managed,
and to equally suit soft soil, aud hard smooth grouu1.
fra performances ara thus graphically described by
the Chicago "Preas:'
'it draws Elk plouzhs. cutting a foot each. attached
IN a frame, and 30 regulated by spiral springs thar
'ney yield TO any extraordinary obstruction. AS th.re
wa. no stubble field near. il was concluded TO max.
'risl on the uDbroken prairie. This was now bak ed
go hard by drought TIA. the prairie breaking ploueha
would not run in it, and the trisl of the sod plouyhe
was abandoned In const quenca. No.. Notwithstanding
This fact, the inventor T.s eo confident OF sucrsrs that
lac gave the order 10 pu; the rluughs 10 work 10 this
almost inpervious soil. After a li;;l. delay in recu
iating 10 this brick-like surface, the rny,ns moved
forward, when six burrows were turned side by ! t.,
III the rnost worknani.ke manner. The -xciieinrr,
ID The crowd was beyond control. and their shouts
al wild huzzas echoed tar over the prairi-, rs there
hrnsath the smllirg Autumn sun lay the frat furrna
turned by steam on the broad pralries Of the mighty
Wts:.
The gpsl Was won. Steam had Conquered ths face
ct nstur-, auh the steam plo" he'd beranis q fact II
was working over the rich, roniag prari-s O, 'Ekyp'.'
md turning up its wealth OF nutritious riein-uts ter
The growth of the Cereal and pcmonsi producis-sef
ROWING, and Containing a power unequa!ed 20 turn mp
the lower strata at soil 80 rich in po;ash, ia phOsphs,-s.
in silica and other essential slements Of vegetable.
growth. The long line OF instub!e-s forrows parted
N. crowd, aud lay between the moving masses TX.
llne of silver wOve in the gray setting of tn. prairi-.
AMID the excitement the Inventor remained csl,n it
Sas euouRh for him to hear tho glad shouts Of victory
which rent the air; for this bs bad toiled; for this hi.
hands had become harden-d and his face made swar.
thy over the glowing iron "ut OF which he forged the
muscles OF his iron steed OF The prairieA.
MIR. Fakes and others were called out by the crowd
ADD made brief speeches. Mr.. Coleman, d member
ct the Board, spoke of the success OF the steam plnw
now witnessed rs marking 4 new era in the world'-
progress. aud declared that the great enterprise Of
Fswhes may be placed side by eide with the steam
engines, the steamboat, the loo rmOtive, the cotton
gin, and the telegraph. After tho speaking. 9TH.
Press" eays:
'The engine ssain moved forward. when the p!ows
:uined up the loose mud drift of Egypt, layir z six
farrows, ride by side, with the most perfect ease and
Ia TIE rnost workman like rnsuner. The consumption
81 'uri aud water was very moderate. That the en-
s''ie Is u complete success there can be 10 doubt, anG
~; that 10 now wanting is 20 demonstrate that. takiug
The whole expenses into c"ueiGe. stiuu, il il cheaper
Than horse power. IL this il answered in The afir
unh'ive, II Will produce the greatest revolution in ny
progress thar We hav. yet se-n-i, will LAX.
san'htr wrinkle from the brow Of labor. aud give 10
!i- 'oiiirg millions lighter tasks 20 Perform"
- 49,
\ VIRGINIA TEACHER WANTED IN
FLORIDA.
~. nh .t,an,.,. a. Al.