New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-10-09
ADDRESS BY SENATOR THURMAN OF
AGRICULTURE.

A DISSERTATION ON THE PROGRESS OF AGRICUL-
TURAL ARTS, THE EFFECT OF WAR on AGRICUL
TURE AND THE GROWTH OF AGRICULTURAL
SCIENCE IN THE UNITED STATES, BEFORE THE
MARYLAND AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL
ASSOCIATION.
BALTIMORE, Oct. S.-Senat0r Thurman OF
Ohio delivered address the State Fair at Pirnilco
to-day before the Maryland Agricultural and Mecnani'
cal Association There about 5000 persons present.
After wing the progress made In agriculture since
ancient times the speaker alluded to war and taxes anu
their effect upon agricultural interests as follows;
Ihave alluded to the prevalence OF war az potent
obstacle to agricultural progress war ana tue CHASE
have called the two ancient and deadest foes 70
agriculture and, unfortunately the history OF MANKIND
fully justies observation. To say nothing OF those
great OF conquest IN which whole countries were
ism, suppaDted civilization, or OF civil wars tnat pan
sed for the time almost every S seSory b 81 %
attendant OF every war, however well ana humahey
able-bodied laborers withdrawn from productive in
dusry; aud that every war; however BRIEF Involves IN
creased taxation and every modern war an increase Oh
national Indebtedness that is deadly foe 10
agriculture When the taxes levied In country are no
more than Is necessary 70 SUPPORT nna eps
amply repaid for what they give by the OF
order the protection o, persons ana properly Ss
tce When the amount levied exceeds TINS
sum. but the excess ia wisely expended in permanent
works Of improy emen the tax payer has some renun
GRAFTON. large small for his contribution to the state
But when millions. tens OF millions, perhaps nundfeds
OF millions are levied not 10 defray the ordinary e1-
penses of Government to improve and zurich the
territory of the State but to pay the cost OF havoc ana
destruction then however Just the be. 1t can
fail to burden industry In all its ramltcations. No
honest people will repudate their oDgat1ns ni
for cutvating split OF harmony ana ayodlne tne
dreadful and costly arbtrament OF the sword as
the honor and interest OF the country WIN permit But
such the passions OF mankind ana sucn nave peen
the ambition or folly OF rulers that we cannos pont ~
single day since the history or Tue race oeesh 70 bs
written when peace prevailed In every part OF inc
globe
aud mechanical arts within the last hundred years,
have time to speak in detail Tue progressive move
less decree has and yet pervades
was not mile Of railroad the globe; not boat
ship or mill propelled by steam; no electric telegraph
nS po%er he blow now the
cuvator, the reaper and mower, and the grain eeva-
tor were all unknown as wei as @ OF 0sner
mankind
increasing Improvement. Some idea Of the growing
of mind to agricultural studies may be derived
and tse lgai aS arts and Sciences
library OF Congress- $40 were printed In the present cen
devoted to the same subjects are now published in
United States alone, not one OF which was published
aud farmers clubs exist III the States and Terrific
res very few OF which existed only SO years ago.
and the number rapidly increases with each revolving
year Agricultural colleges and schools and mechanics
sttutes almost everywhere to be found, and no
Thousands OF patents annually granted by the Gov
eminent for mechanical inventions OF improvements
and though comparatively few Of them may be either
novel or useful the value of others universally
acknowledged, and the activity Of mind and increase
of knowledge they display cannot be too highly appre.
GATED Each census shows enlarged agricultural
and mechanical production; and though from time
to time IL be retarded by temporary causes, the
grand result shows ratio Of increase at least equal to-
greater than, that OF the population From 1850
to 1850 the of population fraction over
$50 per cent. In tine same ten years the number OF
increased from 073 to being an
liner q
from acres being increase Of
per cent. From 1860 to 1870 owing to the war,
the ratios OF increase diminished, that of population
being only % Clio per cen that Of the number OF farms
80 lilo per cent and that Of the OF improved lands
per cent-another striking proof OF the injurious
effects Of upon agriculture. But, nevertheless.
there 2l092 farms in 1870 than there were
1885, and rs, 1856 OF improved landau
in 20 that under the circumstances Is
", thout parallel in the history Of the world.