Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-08-07
AGRIcULTURE AND AGRICULTURAL
IMPLEMENTS

Agricultural implements are taking the place of
artillery. The making OF corn has supplanted the
manufacture of cartridges and the scythe is substi-
tuted for the sword. Agriculture now IS the chei
staff We lean on, and if we do not delve intustFi'
ously in the earth, We may as well begin 10 dig
our graves. There are no rations so salubrious
or so sweet as those We raise with our own hands.
Whatever tends now TO supply the place Of dimin-
ished and uncertain labor, and make the earth
more fruitful is worthy Of notice and encour'
agement In ancient days, muscle, ndely applied
made crops now ingeuiOusly contriyed lahor-Sa.
wing machines, both in quantity and quality Of
work, do wondrous things.
some thirty years ago there was established at
the south corner of 18Th and Main streets, and at
the North corner also, in what was known aS the
Old Washington Tavern. a mandatory and ware
rooms for agricultural implements under the pro-
prietorship Of Parker 4 smith. In November
1855 the establishment was destroyed by fine, the
origin Of which has never been discovered. though
it has always been suspected thst it was the work
of an incendiayy Mr. Smith, who for some time
before the fire, had become sole proprietor, imme-
diately purchased the extensive premises No. IA,
Main street and there he is now planted, after hav
ing plowed his way successfully through the har-
rowing circumstances that are sure AZ times 10 be-
set every man in his progress to prosperity
The Establishment consists Of a fine store, 100
feet long and thee stories high, and at tie rear
and extending TO Franklin street, mandatory
Of like height and over 100 feet square. On the
Rrst floor Of the store IS dense array not only of
implements invented by Mr.. Smith himself, but
imported from the North since the evacuation,
among which is noticeable large assortment of
Howe Il Bouyier's improved scales from counter
size up to the 100 ton railroad track scale. The
two upper floors are filed with implements in
countless variety, and Of the latest and most i'm
proved patterns. In the basement Of the manu-
featuring shop in the rear, stalwart smiths work
srduously at the anvil shaping iron work 10 be
sent 10 the finishing shop, on the next floor above
where it is perfected to the nicely required By the
wood workman. The second 1ooF is a wilderness
of machinery such as teuoniug, moItising,
boring, planning. saving, and other contri.
vances by which wood is worked up into ali sorts
of forms with as much facility as if it were plas
tic clay On this door negro Of the deepest dye
feeds a furnace which, ever flaming, begets steam
in the bowels Of a boiler Of some % horse power
which with its giant strength ever keeps things
agoing The third floor is used rs q siore-room
for raw material and finished work. Before the
war Mr.. Smith employed large force Of hands
the number at present Is about 40, but now that
the field for enterprise is no longer cireumscribed
by long lines of decentralization, he is about TO
increase his force aud furnish the old State with
the implements Of peace in abundance.
It were vain 10 essay description OF the Gu.
rlous contrivauces for stirring up mother earth
which this establishment holds. There are Smiths
horse powers for digging and dwelling, threshing
machines with self-oiling boxes wheat fans
wheat drills, reaping and moving machines,
wheat cleaners cradles. mot for babies but some.
thing more useful these times, corn shelters straw
cutters, harrows and cul,vators, thermometer
chtfrns, patent well fixtures, &C., &c. Then there
are presses from which is extracted the juice of
that fruit the eating OF which oy our father Adam
played the deuce with the whole OF US and grs
cious knows what beside, many of them OF Mr..
Smiths own invention. South OF Mason Dixon's
line there Is no establishment superior to Mr.
Smiths. Il can furnish TO our farmers all they
need.