Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-11-08
Discussion upon Agriculture,

One object, at least, we have accomplished
by directing attention to the subject of Agri-
culture We have shown that there was la
tent fire. an interest in the pursuit, and a gene
raj information OF which the people were them
solves hardly aware, but which only wanted the
force of circumstances to bring it out. In the
discussions in the Legislature during the past
weck--a good report Of which is given in this
lApcr-wo have an amount Of reasoning and
information which we trust our ten thousand
readers will not lightly pass over. We have,
then, the subject in full and upon both Sides
The arguments in favor of more fostering
care on the part Of The Legislature and the
Teope are clear, candid and iorcible, and the
several spcakers--some Of them entirely unused
10 debate--hayc demonstrated that they were
equal to the emergency, notwithstanding
Argc number Of the g leaders Of the House g"
mostly professional men, used to discussion
--werc against them.
The opposition to the measure has Iittla
sembance OF argument, and comes from those
having the least interest in the prosperity Of
agricultural pursuits, but best capable Of
good hits, sharp intermnsling Of adjectivcs
and eXplctiyes, with no small splicing Of ridi-
:ue, which to the mind not used to careful
Tlnnowing Of the wheat from the chat, would
-atelnore weight than it deserves. But all
this sharpness seemed te serve the more to draw
out the energy Of its friends and every word Of
rdlcuLc was answered with effective argument.
STILL we do not look for the passage Of the
bill creating a Board Of Agriculture, or Blu
foau, without considerable further opposition
and perhaps it will not pass the House at all.
Should it not, there has been a long step taken
IN the right direction, and it has awakened an
increased interest in agricultural matters which
VIII extend to the people, and they will be
aroused, and led to iuqulre into the matter. and
ask themselves if there is really this lack of in
'ereSt and opportunity for improvement, ant
why they can not as we'll make experiments
and III part take advantage of what information
there is, as to await the creation and supoes
tons Of an Agricultural Bureau. This thew
should do, as far as possible, and in the alb
s'ncc of head and system to report facts
ami statistics to, and make inquiries Of report
to the State agricultural papers, and Dpropoupd
questions through them. There is an abun-
dance Of information wanted upon different IN.
settled facts in agriculture.-tbc proner man
ucr of restoring old, WORKOUT land, collectino
inanures, &C., &c.-which, were each mint set
down in detail by some man, or BODY Of ,ocn
would readily lead to a thorough knowledco
upon points in dispute.
In a conversation the other day, Member
said to us that Board of Agriculture was a
humbug, 8 for" said he, ,sdo Won sun,oso #
could tell me how to make an cxbaustad ms
ture, which is too steep and STONY to be nlo,vod
and cultivated. bear grass? or inform mo HOW
to get two tons of hay from AN acre of land
100 sandy and dry to bear white beans at mr.,
expense that would pay to do it? If it conld
should be in favor Of such Boorl at an,
cost"
Now We think that is lust the business If
Board of Agriculture-not to inform us tbt
amount Of plaster. ouano and otbor n,t.n,
foreign fertilizers necessary to snrood unon tbos,
pastures and moor sandy soils but how wo %,
collect from our own premises n suAicioncv q