The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1869-02-05

be said to have scarcely begun, and doubt
less capable when fully improved offeeding
the world 1 :
The cheapest and the best fertilizers to
be used upon the various crops we culti-
vate, is another subject of great magnitude
and importance to the farmer. 1t is be-
coming annually more and more important
to us, and all the light that can be thrown
upon the subject, we should avail ourselves
of in order to secure the greatest certainty
OF result, with the least outlay of money.
Immense sums are expended yearly by our
farmers in manures, guanos and manufac-
tured fertilizers.
In many intances, no doubt, the invest
ment proves advantageous to the purchas-
or, but in many others, it cannot be denied,
that little or no beneficial results are real
lied, and the farmer, as good as throws his
money away.
The great number of these manufactured
fertilizers, now thrown upon the market
with high sounding titles and certificates,
and the princely fortunes amassed by many
engaged in their manufacture, prove con-
clusively that the profits of the business are
very great, and either that the farmer is
imposed upon by an article inferior to rep
resehtation, or that he is made to pay much
more than the intrinsic commercial value
fthe article he buys
A thorough investigation and discussion
of the merits of the various articles offer.
ed in the market, and carefully conducted
experiments to test their positive and rel
alive value, could not fail to promote large
ly the interest of our farmers
The attention of our agriculturists should
he directed to the Importance of syste-
matte and scientific method of collecting,
saving and preparing, as much as possible,
our own manures and fertilizers.
The number of lage cities, in close prox-
unity upon our eastern coast, containing
millions of inhabitants has created de-
mand for the productions of the market
garden and fruit farm, that will sooner or
later, rs it has already in many instances,
induce the grain grower to adopt the more
lucrative cultivation of fruits and vegeta-
bles.
The vast numbers who are consumers
daily ofsuch articles, and the great facility
with which the productions Of the garden
may be placed, in good condition, in the
markets of cities hundreds of miles distant,
has opened q field Of surprising promise
to vast sections of our land, where agricul-
ture has heretofore languished, or at least
has not amply repaid the husbandman for
his toll
More than three millions of dollars, it is
estimated, have been expended in Balti-
more the past seaon in fruits and vegeta-
bles alone. rH.
The sales of one house alone, in three
months, amount to more than $4,000 in
goods OF their own manufacture.
There are about fifty Of these establish
ments in Baltimore city, to three or four in
Philadelphia, and not more than six in
New York.
The advantage that Baltimore possesses
in this trade is our advantage. To us,
these gentlemen look for their supplies, and
to Anne Arundel county more Than to all the
State besides. Our soil and climate, by the
experience of generations, have been found
most admirably adapted to the growth of
these products.
The entire length of our county skirts
upon the waters OF the Chesapeake Bay and
its tributaries, affording the most desirable
kind of transportation. The inland por-
lions are, or we hope soon will be, inter-
intersected by rail roads,
We have the advantage, not only of tho
markets of Baltimore city, but from thence
are in easy communication with all the
great sea- board cities of the nation.
These, gentlemen, are a few of the many
advantages that we possess, in consequence
Of our geographical position, soil, climate
and natural facilities, and which, in my
opinion, we have scarcely begun to turn
to advantage.
five are true to ourselves, and with a
becoming zeal, energy and enterprise make
q proper use ofthe means the God of nature
has placed in our power, the future of Anne
Arundel county may be made bright in
deed, and in these respects, firmly believe,
we hold our destiny in our own hands.
To this end. and for the promotion of
these most desirable results, the establish
ment of an Agricultural Society, in Anne
Arundel county, is just now especially de-
sirable,
Let US enter into it with that zeal and
determination to succeed, that the import
ance of the subject and the great interests
we have at stake, demand. The pursuit of
agriculture, both as an art and science, is
the most pleasurable, the most healthful
and the most enrolling of human occupa-
tions.
The poetry of rural life has been the cho-
sen theme of poets and painters, both an
cient and modern. Its charms are no less
inviting to-day than in the days of Virgil
and Horace. The study of the beauty and
grandeur of the works of nature, as exhibit
ted in the vegetable kingdom, is fit and
proper employment for the profoundest in
tellect.
Let no one seek for subject worthier of
his mental powers Here are vast fields of
unexplored beauty and promise.
Let no one shrink from the performance
gifts practical duties. 1t is dignifed, hon
orable and indispensable to mans happi-
ness.
1t is true that the farming interest of a
section of our country and State are now
in languishing condition, but this has
been produced by causes beyond our con-
troll.
The worst is certainly past; no change
could take place but for the better.
Let US not lie "supinely upon our backs
hugging the delusiye phantom of hope"
or Micawber like, expecting something to
turn up" but let us grid on our armor and
go forth with renewed energy and determi-
nation to fight our own battles, and as
surely as effect follows cause, success will
crown our efforts s a
sW-"I declare" said an old lady, revert
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