Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-05-02

of all countries. Our agriculture is defective and
ialty as system but this is attributed to the system
itself and not TO the culivator and to the deficiency
of labor Which is wholly inadequate to the wants OF SO
new and extensive country, and preeludes that exact
aud thorough age and high manurng, which in other
countries carry the Yield per to such high figures
But success as the CoRstita,oHalis well says, inc
criterion in all pursuits and the profits on the labor ana
capital invested in our agriculture will compare aVOrA
bly, with similar profits in any country.
Our agriculuriss are generally lords of the soil they
cultivate they are their own landlords they are them
selves proprieors and not tenants And hence there
prouder and more conscious spirit Of independence
among them than among like class in other countries
They have not thoroughly developed the capacities oil
Il cir soils and adorned and beaufed the country, but
;npy for the lack OF labor aud time. With few ex-
9tons, our people have not Inherited considerable
;ates bu, nearly all have had their own fortunes to
make They have had the wilderness to clear away,
aud their homes to fashion, with such means as they
could Command Like al! other people, they have cu
tyaed the poor lands first because they had not power
TO Gear and drain the rich. Consequently, many gen.
eraons must pass away before compare in acre
age production with those lands which have been the
home of man for centuries. But with given amount
Of capital invested in land and machinery, and given
amount of labor applied, production compares IA
yorably with that of any country
The necessities Of the situation, brought about by
Ibis hendsh war which aims at the destruction OF the
basis Of our agriculture and of all our prosperity,
called loudly upon the farmers and planters for ex-
Change aud an increase of their crops. The sGan has
been needed the draft upon their resources honored,
in the true spirit Of free prOprietors The country has
thus far been saved by their abOrs but the struggle is
not yet ended far from it. The country still looks to
this class as is mainstay and sheet anchor and 1t will
rot DO disappointed Their increasing labors, and sac
ri6ccs if need be- will prove ample hope, for any
probable emergency. The enemy's policy for the cam
paign Is to deyastate and destroy and drive US in He
hopes 10 dpriye US of all the of Middle and
West Tennessee Of Eastern and Northern Virginia. for
Ills wear at least and TO plumber and lay waste North
Mississippi and North Alabama also. He practically
holds the whole Mississippi rver-POrer and Farragut
having Joined Aeets-exoept two points, Vcksburg and
Port Hudson and while this is not benefit to him it
is great disadvantage to US. The trans'Mississipp
country can sustain ITSELF but it cannot be relied to
aid US to the eastward with its treasures Of cattle and
wheat. 1t becomes douby important, then, that our
farmers and planters strain every throughout their
sumner work large crop Of corn is in the ground
and growing Let every exertion be made to cultivate
il we'll and let none neglect peas Hor any other re-
source for the food Of man and beast.