Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1869-08-26
AGRICULTURAL.

CHARLES W. D~ICKERMAN, in his new
says:
"No ono at this day doubts the impor-
lance Of Agricultural information. Knowl-
edge in this department is not only power,
but it is wealth, individual and national.
That system Of cultivation which pro-
duces two blades Of grass or two kernels of
grain where only one grew before which
produces two quarts of milk or two pounds
of meat in place of one must not only be
a benefit to each individual producer, but
of immense advantage to the country and
the world.
Great improvements have bccn made in
the past twenty years. Undertaking,
improved machinery, the better under
standing Of the relation of crops. and the
application of manures. and the improve
ments in the breeds of domestic animals.
have all helped to raise Agriculture, from
mere drudgery. to an important science.
And Improvement must still continue.
Only n small portion of the great body
of farmers have adopted the advanced
position i'll modern Agriculture. The
EAtdA Il ~ Ia = dlC sun ~ iil1
under the disadvantage of a false and
ruinous system of Agriculture, without
knowing Just how to better their position.
1t is the duty of those who do know, to
bring their knowledge to the use of these
their brethren in toll. Much of the best
talent Of the country is devoted to this
object. Agricultural Colleges are spring
ing up IN every hand. Men of genius, of
the best scholarship, of great scientific at
tainments are d~evoting their lives to the
work of bringing forth thc secrets of the
soil. The labor of the farmer is thus ele-
waited. What has always been claimed by
4 few, viii soon be acknowledged by all,
that the prosperity of a country depends
upon the intelligent cultivation of the soil
The above remarks are especially appli-
cable to this region. With a native soil
equal in fertility, and exceeding in natur-
al recuperative power any other section
of the country by a bad system of cult
walton IA large portion of our farming lands
have been reduced to such a low state of
fertility as to render the cultivation of the
usual cropsa useless expense without re-
enumeration Of any kind ana as a conse-
quence a great deal of what might be
good land. is thrown out and not %cultiva-
ted at all, but is left TO grow up III scdse
grass, briars and underground of all kinds.
Tins Is r%uinous; and our farmers must
wake up to the necessity of improving their
lands, and adopting an entirely different
system OF cultivation, or soon poverty and
bankruptcy will stare them in the face. 1t
shall be our duty through these columns,
to lay before them such information as the
present advanced state of the science of
Agriculture affords, and we hope to have
the assistance of all we'll informed men
who are interested in this subject. In or
der to make the matter recorded in this
department of the paper wholly reliable.
we shall study to avoid all superfuities.
sd publish nothing but what has been
prored in practice, beyond a doubt and
thus endeavor to save the farmer from
making disastrous mistakes. The results
Of practice in different sections, and on
different soils, will be carefully compared
with the recorded opinions Of the oldest
and best of our writer's, and it is hoped
much valuable information will thereby
be gained.
We would also request farmers in the
different sections of the country to send
US the result of any experiments they may
have conducted in the way of fertilizing,
wheat culture, grasses, sheep raising, mich
cows, and diary farming, fruit culture, DC.
These articles we shall publish as they
are written or carefully glean the essential
facts contained in them, and place them
before our readers.