Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-12-04

our state IS divided Into three vel
defined sections, differing in geological
ormation and geographical features.
These may be designated as the East, cen
sting mostly of a level country the West,
Or mountain country, and the Middle, OF
billy region. The agriculture of each OF
these divisions is peculiar, and the training
required by those designed for these differ
ent fields Of labor would be different To
meet these wants we would suggest three
agricultural schools, one to be located IL
each q these sections, each TO receive
an equal amount out of the common fund
With this provision the higher educational
wants Of our agricultural people would bt
conveniently met.
The study of agriculture as q science
need not be, and should not be, confined
to schools specially devoted to this object
Much might be accom- plished for its adj
vancement by introducing into the com
mon schools elementary works Of science
It would often happen that the insight
thus afforded would kindIe In the minds OF
youth desire 70 know more, and the
studies thus begun would he afterwards
prosecuted with success from the fact OF
their intimate connexion with the every
day business of life. We therefore respect.
fully suggest to parents aud teachers, that
greater attention should be bestowed in
our schools on the Natural Sciences, as a
means of securing to those Intended for
agricultural pursuits basis for future i'm
provement.
4 thorough system Of agricultural edu-
ca,ion is undoubtedly the great want OF
our State but it is want which must be
felt for some time, whatever remedy may
be applied, because the remedy must
necessarily be slow in its operation. In
the meantime can We do nothing tor the
more speedy Improvement Of our agrlcul
ture? We answer that much can be done
if the people will at once go to work in the
right spirit. It is not within the limits Of
the duty assigned TO this committee to lay
down rules respecting the proper mode OF
conducting the operations of the farm.--
Permit US, however, to direct your atten-
ton briefly to some Of the means more
speedily available for increasing our re-
sources of labor and skill which properly
used, would rapidly increase our produc-
tons.
First, then, with regard IS labor, the
great agency for creating rational wealth.
Have We sutficieDcy OF this for the full
development Of the resources Of our
section ? Let tbs dilapidated fences, the
neglected bitches, the old fields thrown
but most impressive of all, the enormous
IN the amount Of our agricul-
tural productions testify on this question
Take Tor example the cotton crop. In 1860
more than five millions OF bales were made
in the Southern States now less than one
half that amount. Our State, equally with
the others, has suffered IL dimlnution in
this as well as other crops Contrast with
this retrograde tendency the unsurpassed
Of our section Of the State
! he face Of the country is level and the
land easily cultivated. Several railroads
penetrating it in different directions aud
navigable streams alfoI cheap
and convenient transportation. Vast de-
posts OF mud are found along our coasts
and in our interior sWamps. and mari is
abundant. Much Of the soil is naturally
good, aud a still larger portion is capable.
by the use OF mari and mud and other
fertilizers, Of iudetiuite improvement. Ii
the industry OF man could be brought to
Cooperate fully with the agencies Of nature
IN developltg these vast resources, how
great and rapid would be our material
progress how unlimited the prospect OF
future advancement
We must obtain an additional supply of
labor. Happily for Us this Cali be done with
out difficulty. Europe teens with a surplus
population ready to respond to our demand
tor labor to any extent desired, and on
terms which would be mutually advan-
tageous a voyage across the Atlantic
lands the immigrant dire city OH our shores
And should 1t be found eXpedient to come
by way of New York, cheap and convenient
may be provided thence to
Our s, ct!On. by Il route rot half SO long as
r b,,4 l>., = /, tad
Of the \ 18th vest re reached. There has
be, little llnmIgi4t on into the Southern
States during tho past generation. Ine
reason t tins has been that slave labor
Was deemed preferable to any other, and
~ consequence immigration received
very little encouragement. Now all this
IS changed, and We have every reason to
1t. THIS we should do individ
lally as citizens and collectlvel y as State.
There Is nothing in our soil or climate
hostile 20 it. Labor here is remunerative
and land cheaper than anywhere else,
in any civilized and settled coun-
try. The health of our section Is equal to
the average health Of the country. AL
ready have enterprising men successfully
this undertaking. 1t we do
not follow up the way that ha~ been open
ed for Us we shall exhibit to the world q
spectacle of unparalleled apathy.
Another means Of improving our agri-
culture will be found in organization
Political parties, ecclesiastical bodies and
government itself is based on organization.
II we expect to elevate our agriculture we
must organize for the purpose. There are
many evils to be corrected and many bene
fits TO be secured by this means. The in
fueace of isolated individuals, however
Just theiE views and expedient their plans
IS necessarily inconsiderable. But if the
great body of agriculturists will speak out,
their voice will command attention and
respect. We need organization to give
shape and consistency to public opinion.
We need it for purposes Of mutual co-opera-
ton in regard TO matters within our con-
troll. We need it to correct the existing
decentralization Of labor, and as q means
for increasing the supply.
The advantages Of agricultural organize
tons are very striking in another point Of
view. They bring together the Intelligent
farmers OF a community. They discuss
all the most important questions connect
ed with their calling. From these discus
sions the inexperienced derive instruction,
and all are benefited. Even the most I'M
pretending may contribute to the instruc-
ton of others, for the experience Of none
is without its value. These associations