The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1862-10-08

nave been IN the discovery Of methods o
culture, and combinations of mechanica
forces. Their impetus to agriculture sig
nalizes the past half century. Under thi
stimulus, the great fertilizer, guano, wa,
discovered in the South Sea Islands, b,
Germany's distinguished naturalist, The
worlds savan, Humboldt, and its UNTOLD
value is attested by the immense com
merce employed in its transportation.
The first plow used in England, SC
rudely constructed of wood, and imprac
ticable rs it now would seem, was fo
many years the only one in use, under
the compulsory and paral, zing law for.
bidding any one TO use plow unless he
could make one. To-day the ingenuity
of the saxon mind is taxed 10 its utmost
TO devise mechanical improvements to be
laid at the feet Of natural labor. Hsto-
ry has taught us how Asia, with her
countless millions could compel Europe to
pay tribute to the fabrics of her number
less hands, while now she suffers the re-
action Of artificial over manual labor.
England to-day throws back her rich
treasures, coined by the wonderful mani
pula,ions of her spindles. Englaud's
machinery is equal TO 20O,O0O,0OO OF
able bodied Understanding the relation
of natural to artificial labor but two per
cent Of her aggregate industrial product,
and in other words, her artificial labor is
twelve times greater than her population,
and, as compared to the United States,
Englonds power of labor is as eleven to
one.
With these exemplary facts before the
nation, may we not add imitation to ex-
pcrience rs the two paths that will inev-
ilably lead the American farmer TO the
best knowledge of farming? What
greater inducement can be urged to the
farmers Of the land for their vigilant in
dnstry than emulation of nationalitiesY
In revolutionary times we were told by
proud Britain that it would be idle for us
to attempt to build up marine equal TO
the commerce Of the country, and to-day
we have tonnage sufficient TO glut, at one
shipment, the markets Of that kingdom.
England, however, practically stipulatcs
the terms of sale of our immense cereals,
and, at the same time, by the power of
her machinery dictates the quantity and
value of the fabrics Of our consumption.
Will you, farmers, the bone and sincw of
the land, much longer allow her 10 do it?
Rise to the dignity of your responsibility
and call upon the crops, which magically
respond TO the touch Of your industry, TO
witness your high resolve that America
must be the first of the nations, ms well as
the granary of the world. To inspire you
to this, survey with me the vast extent
of our possessions:
Within coast Of over three thousand
miles, along which sweeps the commerce
that already wrings from old England the
title of Mistress Of the seas" is spread
out within the arms of a sisterhood
of thirty-four States, and their adjacent
territories, an extent of soil, variety of
climate, combination of resources and yet
undeveloped mines of wealth, such as to
make this nation the undisputed and
acknowledged ruler of the earth. A vast
country of even fabulous resources can
never achieve, however, her rightful posi-.
ton unless the conservators of national
prosperity meet the demands of their high
calling. You are here to day to honor by
your presence the service this Society is
rendering to Old Ottawa, as part of that
beloved country, Of which you are its
proud citizens. Need | add that beyond
the duty Of witnessing the Annual Fairs
of your organization there underlies the
greater one of wise anal ysis, careful dis
elimination and nm intelligent application
of the product of their contributions to
agricultural knowledge.
Upon the proper cultivation Of the
rich soils of the several States depend the
growth and prosperity, not only of the ru-
raj precincts, but of all the national en-
poriums. Ancient cities derived their
magnifccnce and grandeur from the spe-
cial patronage of the reigning sovereign,
who ever sought to characterize his reign
by celebrating detached portions of great
ness and splendor. There was nothing
homogeneous about successive improve
ments OF the cities. Kings, jealous Of
their predecessors projects, left them to
run to waste and ruin, while new plans
and disjointed structures rose TO signalze
royal succession, resulting in distinctive
clusters of architectural beauty rather
than symmetrical extensions of one har-
monious plan. No such selfish rivalry
disturbs the regular and imposing expan-
sion of American cities. Our growing
emporiums are held as national fame
each successive generation adds to the
symmetry OF The whole.
Thus precisely in the ratio of the cul-
ture of the soil do the national cities mag
nifty and beautify, so that the farmer
practically holds the key to the aggregate
national wealth, greatness and grandeur.
If, then, in times Of prosperous peace, the
activities of people depend so largely
upon the intelligent efficiency Of agricu-
ture, in the hour of national peril, the
country can alone confide in the yeoman-
n