The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-01-27
Western Farm Lands.

The fact has been observed that large
tracts of Western farm lands, formerly
among the most valuable, are generally
deterisrating, resembling in some degree
the worn out lands of older States. Mr..
KIPPART, Secretary of the Ohio Board of
Agriculture, in recent address, speaks at
considerable length on this topic, present
ing view Of agriculture in Ohio by no
means encouraging. The product per
acre is lesb than it was forty years ago |;
the number of farmers was 1900 less in
! in 1860 than 1850; many are selling their
farms, and seeking the virgin soil of the
West; there are very few farmers IN the
State who would not sell their farms were
there purchasers in the market; and not
one in fifty really intends to remain per-
manently on the farm he now occupies,
provided he can make an advantageous
sale. These statements are employed as
arguments in favor of State Agricultural
college, ignorance of practical farming
being, as alleged, at the root Of the diff
Guilty. The Cincinnati Gazette, not so
much for the purpose of discrediting this
easy remedy, as to give further e1plana-
tions, remarks: ." t's
One great cause is the vast quantity of
rich virgin soil lying unoccupied, and to
be had for little more than song. Out
of this the farmer can mine the most
bountiful crops without any compromising
return, and with but little investment Of
capital 1t is not ignorance of chemistry
that drives the farmer from the old to the
new soil, but the natural seeking of an
easier road to ease and wealth. Educa-
ton would not prevent the farmer, who by
a system Of strict compensation was draw
ing frugul living but Of well worn lands,
from dropping his plow, deserving his care
fully nursed compost heaps, and rushing
for the newly discovered gold diggings Of
California. He is merely following the
pursuit Of all mankind, the easiest road to
ease and comfort. And we suppose the
aim of education is to promote this and ft
men to enjoy it. ..,, ,..,.-...
The virgin soil Of the West is our Ell
Dorado-our gold mime, out of which men
may dig the wealth which has been accu-
mulating through ages, without the PEN
atty of making return in kind. This is
the evil of too much riches The restora,
ton of q worn soil, or the preservation of
one which shows signs of failing energies,
requires hard labor and the investment of
capital. Is it an imputation on the intelli-
gence of men that they should shift this
burden upon those who can afford to bear
it, or to devote the land to uses more fit
ted to its expended energies, while they
seek the riches stored in new fields?
The condition of agriculture which the
Secretary of State Board describes, is the
evil Of much land, rather than too little
knowledge of farming. There are but few
farmers who do as well as they know. The
majority follow course of cropping which
they know expends the soil, and will in
course of time exhaust it. 1t is not tor
want of knowledge of fertilizers that they
do not apply them, but from lack Of will,
or from laziness, or willingness to enjoy
the present, thoughtless Of the future, or
because it is easier to crop the soil till it
runs out and then TO seek new. 1t is the
shiftlessness caused by the boundless extent
of virgin soil before them. American ag-
riculture thus far is little more than skim
ming the soil of its cream. Under the
process the centre of production travels
continually west. When it has run its
course, like the flight of locusts, devouring
the soil in it's track, steady industry will
slowly repair its devastation, and then ag-
ricultural knowledge and appliances known
before bet neglected, will be brought in
use. Lands will appreciate in pecuniary
value; capital will accumulate in them
and the relative price of labor will enable
the land-holders to use that literally.
Tux -Eorneys Press of the 22d