The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1869-05-27
RATES OF ADVERTISING.
Agricultural Societies.


The citizens of oconee County are about form
;pg an Agricultural and Mechanical Society. In
noticing the proposed meeting for that purpose,
the Walhalla Courier makes the following appro-
priste remarks, and we commend its utterances TO
the farmers generally in this county, especially
those not yet enrolled in the Anderson Farmers
Association
y This is matter of such grave importance ana
general interest as to need no word OF approval OF
commentator from us. Every one is aware that
numerous and radical changes have been, aud are
being made in the industrial pursuits OF theSouth.
Statistics of products now realized per acre Us
compared with those of the past, demonstrate thht
these changes are improvements on the old sys-
,ems. and whether we are to be benefited by these
improvements will depend principally on ourselves
IF We stand aloof while our sister counnes are
gathering knowledge from mutual experience ara
interchange Of ideas, we will be distanced IN TINS
our chief occupation. The surest and speediest
road to successful and progressive Improvement ii
anv nnr,ut arises from free discussion and mutual
assistance. The county society is radiating cen-
ter from which practical information in farm econ
omy and production is difused throughout the
county. Farmers have never properly appreciated
the dignity and Importance of their calling They
have always anderrated the educational qualihca-
tious necessary to good farming. AS class, they
have been modest and retiring, aud though consts-
tutine the chief element Of national wealth, they
have seldom sought or obtained practical represea-
taton in the state or national councils. They are
interested above everything in the success of the
present efforts to exalt Agriculture from menial
occupation in its true position as an acknowledg-
ed Science We are not farmers or mechanics, out
in our early days we were trained to the use Of
the plough and hoe and when with the new lights
in agriculture we compare the old system with the
present, we are amazed at the blind prejudice ara
ignorance which have SO long crippled this branch
of industry. In mechanics too there has been too
much Conservation" but as class this branch OF
industry has shown more progress than Agricui-
ture. Mechanics generally serve an apprentice
ship for their trades. In this way, by proper in
struction, they become passable cobbiers IN three
years, but the idea of inventing, perfecting and
erecting machinery for the development OF the
manufacturing interests of the State has been
frnitless dream. While nature has abundantly TO-
yored our section in water powers, timber a1d
minerals, we have been content to stand on the
threshold of mechanical Science, while others en-
ioy the rich fruits of its production. Our inferi-
ority in mechanical ingenuity and the want OF
perfect system of Agriculture contributed more to
the overthrow of the Confederacy than the superb
or numerical strength at the North. To be ready
for every emergency demands in fact the highest
excellence in the Physical sciences. This excel
lence can only be attained by mutual instruction.
Man is an initiative animal and the knowledge OF
one generation is the starting point of the next.
Such has been the course of human nature from
the day our first parents covered their nakedness
with fig leaves to the present period OF comfort
and elegance in dress. Every improvement has
been slowly and cautiously received There has
been little life or effort towards advancement uI u
lately. Now whole people are bending their il.
telectual energies in the laudable effort TO recuper
ate the country by sound practical course OF Ag-
ricultural and mechanical industry. Just as there
is wisdom in multitude of counselors, so there ~
success in multitude of well directed efforts. To
collect the useful knowledge thus derived and dis
seminate it among the people is the object OF the
present proposed organization. 1t cannot fail CT
good results and merits the earnest support ofevery
well wisher of the country.