Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-12-15
Union AND AMERICAN
FARM AVID GARDEN.
ESTABLISHMENT OF AN AGRICUL-
TURAL BUREAU.

TURAL BUREAU.
If the present Legislature had done moth
ing else butPass the bill establishing Blu
rean of Agriculture, it would richly merit
and justly receive the commentators of all
patriotic and public spirited men in the
State We know of nothing that will do so
much as this law, to make known to the
world the vast natural wealth that lies
slumbering in obscurity in our mountain
chains, or undeveloped in our fertile val
leys. No act of the present Legislature, in
our opinion, approaches in importance AID
in usefulness this one. 1t is necessary to
secure, and a condition precedent to, i'm
migration: for it is difficult to induce per-
sons to come to State of which we really
know nothing, and can tell them nothing
about. A New York paper says, in sub
stance, in a recent issue, were the resources
of the great State of Tennessee correctly
written, it would appear almost as improba-
bic as some of the stories in the Arabian
Nights.
Prior to the war our people were really
Indifferent as to immigration. Land was IN
growing demand each year, and between
the years 1850 and 1862 the value of lands
inthis State was greatly enhanced. Upon
the cessation Of hostilities, in 1865, the far
mers in the State having but little left ex-
cept their lands, felt disposed to cling to
them with still greater tenacity. All efforts
to purchase by persons coming into the
State met with but poor encouragement.
Immigration was checked, and our wild
lands that might have been
made, under more generous
policy, TO yield revenue to the State were
left in their primeval wildness, and persons
desiring to move to tie State were induced
to believe that they would meet with no
warm reception from the people. And in
fact, Il is was true. The old plantation
idea that the presence of large number OF
negroes was an indication of wealth, still
had its force among our population. Many
men, who had never controlled mreAng,
rashly promised large wages to Indifferent
laborers, and found, to their sorrow, at the
expiration of the year, that their prof.
its were on the wrong side.
succession of partial failures has satlshec
majority of our people that they are al
tempting the management OF too muchlano;
that the executive ability necessary to be
exercised on a large plantation to ensure It's
profiiableness is much scarcer than was ex
pected. and many are now willing and
anxious to sell portion Of their lands to
industrious and hard-working men who
will save the expense Of hiring labor by
working their own fields. With this senti-
ment prevailing and gathering strength dali
", the highest duty ofthe Legislature is to
provide some means, by which knowledge
of the several divisions of the State may be
authoritaliyely published to the world.
And they have done this in the passage of
the bill which originated in the Senate and
was pressed to completion by Mr.. Tolley, its
autbor. to whom the State is under great
obligations for the deep interest he has
mani ,sted in the promotion Of agriculture,
the very groundwork of national prosperity
and wealth, the old red sandstone that
underIies all tie arts and industries OF the
country, and the occupation which OF all
Others needs the greatest encouragement
and support. The Senate showed high
appreciation of the Importance fthe bill by
nassiag it almost unanimously; but wan
ing and erroneous idea, that agriculture
needs no fostering care from the hands OF
the government, led many good men in the
Houre to vote against it. The farmers and
the mon Of progress in the State, are under
specid Obligation to Mr.. Trousdale, Of
Sum.cr. who to the urbanity of the gentle
man adds the force OF a refined, strong anc
cultivated intellect; to Mr.. Tillman, Of
Line In. whose acuteness of perception
and knowledge Of parliamentary law make
him ready in debate and quick in the de
lection and Illustration Of any movement
preiul icial to his constituency; to DR.
ZONES. of Marshall, whose industry leaves
nothing undoue that will corduce to thu
passage Of an important measure; to Mr.
Che. ham. VIII Sc vigilance, readiness, tact
uutiring energy and devotion to duty mari
him man Of prominence and usefulness
TO Nc. Allison. Of Williamson, the efioien
cbai man of the Committee on Ayr
cult1,-a; and last, but not least, 10 Nj
Ferguson, of Non'gcmery, and Col. Br
ford, of Giles, who have never give
a ba vote, and whose integrity of charactC
and Imrity of motives have given them ii
vigilance of Argus with the strength
Herc:les. These latter gentlemen are reco
nized by all ihe members as able, dignife
ener-etic and effective representatives.
their respective counties. They const
tute. indeed, by the weight of their inf
ence. the balance-wheels of Il
House. Many other members su
ported the bill, but the ones v
hsye mentioned worked for it indefati