Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1867-11-21

and will only be stopped when
eternity swallows up its last wave.
With this estimation of the Ia
bor-with this estimation of Agri.
culture-how can we fail or refuse
to award it the highest position in
pursuits OF life, being as it is the
great fundamental supporter of
peace, happiness, and indeed all
the blessings of a life on earth?
For practicable view of the
subject, and one that will force its
conclusions and impress its facts
upon the mind, make the follow
ing extract from a New York wri-
ter, who discusses the matter ably
and with entire satisfaction. The
attitude of the subject as present
ed by him, is my excuse for quo
ting his language. Being the me-
tropolis of the government, the
advantages afforded by New York
city enable the writer to look at
the question of practicable Agri-
culture with more than ordinary
care aud interest. With it, l close
this imperfect and brief essay, and
commend it and adopt it for its in
telligence and sound reasoning.
1t is of recent date, and therefore
we'll calculated to supply the very
information we all need just at
this time:
During the past twenty years
there has been constant effort to
stimulate all sorts of industry ex-
cept the growth of substantial veg
etsble food. There has been a con-
slant call to devlop mineral resour-
ces; to extend and improve means
ofinternal communication; to grow
wool and otherwise develop pastu-
rage to grow cotton and tobacco I;
to improve horticulture; to increase
manufactures and commerce-un-|
til these pursuits have employed
the best energies and most fertile
climes, to the neglect tof the growth |
of those cereals which ever form
the bulk of human food. From
this cause the prospects now be-
fore the people of the great cities |
Of Europe and America are not all |
agreeable. The purely agricultural
food growing regions of Europe and |
America have either stood still or
suffered contraction, while calls up
OH them have increased steadily |
and rapidly, until series OF uni
form good crops are necessary to
prevent food rising to famine pri-
ces, while one or two short crops
here and there create disorder liz
business and produce distress in
many ways.
"Turn to Europe, the aspect of
affairs is still more unsatisfactory.
Two insufficient crops in England
have been followed, not as with us,
but by one that is mere conspic-
uously deficient. France, usual
ly an exporting country, has had
two defective crops; and from Bel
yium, Spain, Portugal, and other
populous countries, the reports of
deficiencies in the crops are uni
orm and appalling. The popula-
ion which is thus deficient num-
oers about one hundred and twen-
y millions. What their wants
ire likely to be may be estimated
~ recalling the strain upon the
North to feed the South last win
er, after the partial failure Of her
,rops. The deficiencies in the
supplies of a sparse population of
light or ten millions then exhaus-
ed our crippled resources. Whence
hen, are the wants of ten times
heir number to be supplied ?-I
from San Francisco we learn that
leavy English orders have been
but the whole crop of
california would be but a drop in
he bucket. France and England
re contending in this market for {
uch supplies as have reached US. 6
Not content with this, they en- 6
age supplies several days ahead of
heir arrival. Our local millers :
annot compete them, and we are
threatened with an entire absorp-
ion of that surplus which we have
Ioped to see in store at the close of ;
lavlgation. :
"The drift OF these facts it is I
to misunderstood; and
will be fortunate if by great I
Increase in this branch of agricul- +
ural industry, and q better pro- |