Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1871-11-11

| Inc OLD idea that any 1901 may d
a farmer is fast giving way. Coun
CavoHr, the most illustrious and "a
gaciOus statesmen of modern times
eandidly confessed that his abilities
were not equal TO the requirement.
of the farm. Experience is constant
| ly demonstrating the fact that only
| thinking men can be successful farm
ers- Tennessee must look to diff
| ferent system of tillage from thai
which was praetieed when she had
a virgin soil and when her lands sold
for ninepence an acre. There are
some old fogies who still adhere tc
the same methods of wearing cut
the soil, and whose farms are known
by the number of gullies on them;
| by the meanness of their buildings
| by the shabbiness of their stock and
by their inconceiVable hatred OF
what they call "book farming" -
These men are enemies to their race
because they destroy the means by
which the race subsists. They ex.
haust the elements of wealth. Hu.
manity and the State and public
morals and intelligence all suffer
from their ignorance and indolepce'
Their chiet honor lies in the mum,
ber of years they have lived; to tel
when such a field, now worn out
and grinning with deep red gullieG
was cleared and produced large
crops; to discourage everything like
enterprise and progress; to set them
selves up as impersonations Of wis
dom and experience, believing doubt
less that experience and wisdom are
in proportion to age to do these
things are the chief empioyments
of their lives. They hang like dead
weights upon the community, they
clog the wheels of industry; they
sting ike scorpions the hand OF
progress, poisoning and paralyzing
it, and any State or community is
cursed that has a majority of such
citizens.
We have reason, however, TO con-
gratulate ourselves that there is q
visible change going on for the bet
ter among the raral population. In
stead of relying as formerly upon
the moon or signs of the Zodiac,
they are paying more attention TO
the plow and cultivator. They be-
gin to study the physiology OF
vegetable vitality, the natural wants
of plants, the value of special ma
nures and the great laws that under
lie and govern all successful agricnl-
ture. The spirit of the age demands
this progress. The swelling volume
of thought that sweeps from conti-
nent to continent, working its won
derful transformations can scarcely
leave untouched and unimproved the
greatest of all human pursuits. Dur
ing the present century a greater
forward movement has been made
in agriculture than was made in all
previous time
To the practical application of the
laws of chemistry and to the use of
improved implements is the world
mostly indebted. for this progress
But, my fellow citizens, to keep up
this progressive movement we need
legislative aid, we need the foster
ing influence of our State govern
ment. Go to the State library and
you will find the shelves loaded with
agricultural reports from other
States in which Information is dis
seminated in regard TO the soil of
the various counties, its aptitudes
and deficiencies, its Versati1ities and
relative durability. You viii find
an estimate of the quality and guam
tity of stock, chemical analyses of
minerals and soils, minute reports
of the various county and State
Fairs and Farmers Clubs, and in
deed everything that has a tendency
to enlighten, instruct, interest and
elevate the farmer. These reports
are printed and scattered abroad by
the State-streams of thought ra-
dating from the Capitol and carry
ing their fructifying influences to
every part of the land. By this
means vast treasures of wealth are
unfolded. Improbable experiments
are noted, and the shoals and quick
sands that prove destructive to the
farmer are pointed out that they
NAV be avoided. The most practi-
cal applications of labor in order to
secure the most desirable results are
recorded. The lands in such States
are increasing in fertility and value,
while the amount of productions are
multiplied.
And, my fellow-citizens, let me
ask you, why it is that our State is
involved almost beyond redemption
in crushing debt and not one dol
lar of that vast debt has been used
in the interest and for the encour-
agement of almost our sole industry?
Where is your State Bureau of Ag-
ricnlture Where is your agency for
collecting information to assist in
propelling forward that interest up
on which all others in the State rest2
Whe is chargeable with this folly?
Railroads have been built, but
whereas your produce 10 make them
profitable? Why is il that but two
or three of these great arteries have
been able to pay the interest on the
bonds issued in aid of their construc-
ton? The reason, my fellow-citi-
zens. is plain. Had one-tenth of the
$50, ,0O0, 600 expended on these rail-
roads, nay, more, had one-fiftieth of
this vast amount been used in max
inc known to the world our vast
mineral and agricultural wealth
that lies nndeYeloped and unknown
in our fertile valleys and mountain
chains, our State, to-day, would be
the home of millions of happy and
prosperous human beings. Our
streams that go rushing and leaping
with the sound of cataract would
be utilized, and the clankings of the
loom and the hum of the spindle
and the shouting voices of contented
labor, would be disturbing the pri-
meval wildAess and loneliness of
their banks, and awakening 8 res
ponsive echo from the most distant
part of the world. Lands that now
are worthless would be valuable and
help to swell the revenue of the
State. Good roads and good schools
resulting from an increased popula-
ton and a diversified industry
would exhibit a pleasant contrast to
the present stagnation and ignO-
rance. Now, do not wish to be
understood as being opposed TO rail-
roads. Far from it. But wish to
see the heart that supplies these ar
teries of commerce with blood and
life cherished and protected in order
that they may flow with full vol
ume and so diffuse vitality, strength
and power all over the land. Some
are ready to say, this is all imagina-
ton; that if railroads are built popu-
lation will come, and thrift and in
dustry win ensue. The light of ex-
perience is the only certain guide
TO that we look. When the Illinois
Central Railroad was built and a
large quantity Ofland donated for
that purpose, the officers found it
necessary to advertise their lands
in almost every influential journal in
America and Europe. Minute des-
criptions OF their lands were given,
their prices, terms of sales, etc, and
even to this day you will find an Oc-
casional advertisement of them.-
Well, did it pay? go ask the direc-
tors. After selling One-half their
lands to an industrious, enterprising,
hardy and intelligent population,
-Ln ..nrnairln.. ..-a. --n..h nnaa-