The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-02-24
The Tendency and Inducements to Co.
Operation ameDg Farmers.

Operation among Farmers.
An Agricultural Convention has been
recently held in Washington, composed Of
delegates, or rather persons Interested IN
the progress of Agriculture, from nearly
every State in the Union. A resolution
passed the Convention, unanimously, re- I
commencing to theseveral States the estab-
lishment of Departments of Agriculture as
the best means of deriving the greatest
benefit from the Department at Washing
ton. The Convention adjourned to meet
in the same city, in February, -, and
thus has been inaugurated n movement
which tends to organizing the Agricultural
interest of the country, and bringing its
diffuse and many detached shreds together,
and forming it into one powerful cord, or
n combination of cords. so to speak. IL
the idea is carried out, which is embraced
Inv the resolution above cited, the result 1t
points to is a central organization in every
State, which would necessitate, and conse-
uuentIy encourage and assist county
organizations, which probably would re-
uuire District clubs or societies. Agrlcul-
ture would, under such a system of organ
ization, speedily exercise an influence and
power in the Government which IL mas
never known in this country. Along with
conscious power, a self respect would be
developed, something it is sadly in need Of
In its present condition, race OF grum-
blers and dissatisfied workers, looking upon
the business as a mean drudgery, is about
the status of our average farmers. This
discomfort is promotive of anything but
thrift and comfort, aud that independence
which should be a characteristic OF the
foremost occupation of the world. Under
the present isolated mode of farming, cheer
less and rude homes, and weary drudgery
beget a repugnance in the sons and daugh-
tiers of farmers, which fills them with a
desire to fly from what they look upon as
superlative evils, to others which they know
not of. The polish-outside though it be
of the city and town, presents such
sharp contrast to rustic manners and
appearance, that the latter is voted bore,
and every effort made to escape from it.
A proper education and concert which
aimed to improve Agriculture, remodel
and place it on more elevated social basis,
would rapidly remedy this evil, and add to
the profit of the farm at the same time.-
After all, the pecuniary shoe is the one
that pinches most. The pinch cannot be
relieved without an improved mode of cul-
ture is adopted. The soil Of the old States
is run down, and cannot compete with the
fertile prairies and alluvlal bottoms Of the
new States and Territories. An improved
mode of culture can only be originated and
brought into anything like universal prac-
tice, by concert and cooperation, the first
object aimed at by the plan suggested at
the National Agricultural Convention, in
the resolution proposing the establishment
of a Department of Agriculture i'll every
State. The greatest, speediest and cheap
est renovator of rundown soils in the iati-
tude of Maryland, and further north, is
grass. When farmers learn how to make
sod, they will have more than half con-
quered the difficulty which ROW casts a
sorrowful shadow across so many homes
This, at first sight, seems simple enough;
but go through the country in any direc-
ton, in search of a heavy, tough sod COW
ering the fields in June, with mat Of the
brightest green, and you will realize, by
the thin covering of grass, spreading like 4
thread bare garment over the hungry land,
how poor the store-house really is from
which the farmer hopes to draw his sup
plies.
1t is useless-yes, worse than useless, to
attempt to flee from the farm. 4 few
escape, and enter other pursuits, to exc out
a scanty subsistence by incessant toll, which
differs, in some respects, from that they
left, yet when analized, is nothing more
than exacting toll which yields a bare sub
sistence. The farmers sons and daughters
have generally the poorest education for
the business which naturally presents itself
to them and invites them to pursue, that
it is possible to conceive; and here lies a
great load of their disaffection. What can
be found that presents more dcsolate
appearance than the majority of farmeas'
houses, which a proper education would
teach them to beautify and adorn without
much expenditure, by merely assisting
nature in proper manner.
We hold that there is no other mode
under the sun to bring Agriculture up ont
of this slough of despond, where it lies
apparently helpless, but cooperation and
unity of purpose. When the farmer learns
to have faith in his neighbor, and trust in
bis Association for moral and material
support, as well as information, when in
doubt or under trying circumstances, lie
will take heart and feel his independence
and power. Suppose ten or twenty intelli-
gent farmers combine to pursue any line
of business; to create herd of improved
cattle, or establish butter or cheese fac
tory, for instance, success and ample profits
would be certain, if an enlightened policy
was pursued, but how few are the individ-
uals who could succeed in any such under
taking. p.
AN INTERESTING BooK.-AIr. Frank
Bacon has left on our table the new book
for which he is agent, "Chicago and the,
Great Confiagration. The following ex-
tract from the preface of the work, will
give some idea of it's contents, and the
interest which its perusal will excite: lin