The daily gazette. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1874-1883, 1874-10-12
ADDRESS

NON. TUONIS T.. YARD
AT TIE OPENING OF THE AGRI-
CULTURAL FAIR AT MID
DLETOWN.
Whenever [ have been led to reflect
upon the primary and vast Importance
OF Agriculture, as the great basis of a
nations wealth and power, have been
astonlshed more and more at the very
slight attention it receives at the hands
Of our people in proportion to the most
reasonable demands of an enlightened
political economy. For what man, wo-
man or child among us Is not vitally in
tcrested in the earth being made to yield
its yearly increase, and in having its
fruits gathered in due season. The val
uc Of skilled labor giving utility to crude
materials We gratefully acknowledge and
Iapprcciate-butt the grand silent produc-
tionS, which our common mother the
earth. presents in the varying seasons of
the year for our delectation and support
seem to be taken as II matter of course
30 that her labors are accepted often
grumblingly, and man seems to think
his share OF duty performed when he
| condescendingly stretches forth his hand
to gather in her bounty
In the wise and bitter wit of Dean
Swift, we find the king of Broblignap
giving to Mr.. Lcmuel ,iulliyer "a his
opinion That whoever could make two
| ears Of corn or two blades of grass to
grow upon II spot where only one grew
| before would deserve better of man.
kind, and do more essential service to
| his country than the whole race of noli-
| IiclthS l''lt together. 1he Super-abun-
dance of productive lands in the United
States and the small price for which
| they can be obtained, have absolyed our
people in IL great measure from the con.
ditions of painful. anxious toll which in
more densely populated and older coun.
tries Is the Necessary heritage of those
who, like the Swiss-"Force a cburlisb
| soil for scanty bread"-and hence. our
| agriculture has been performed without
| the sharp spur of necessity, and has re-
| ceiVcd but Il small portion of th, nnll;o
thought and care which its grave i'm.
portancc demands. Perhaps if we cy-
cept the task of Legislation, no other o..
cupation in our country is SO frequently
entered upon by persons deficient in the
necessary information, as Agriculture.
| Let me appeal To the experience of my
present audience, whether, as a ru,1
agriculture in this country is not consid-
cred Il pursuit to be taken up ut any
time by any man who can command the
capital requisite to purchase and stock n
farm, regardless of his former occupa-
ton, his preparation by way of informa-
ton and education for success?
| In the vast majority Of schools to
| which tn" sons OF our farmers are sent
how much special attention is bestowed
upon agricultural chemistry, vegetable
| physiology and natural philosophy
of which are essential to him who would
successfully avail himself of the natural
advantages of any soil?
| How many Of our farmers are retired
men Of business whose success has given
them money to live as they please. or
whose rcverses in commercial or manu-
featuring pursuits have compelled them
to settle down in the quiet of n countrv
life and adopt a vocation for which they
were totally unprcparcd by experience
or education?
| How many fathers, having gathered
wealth i'll other pursuits and having un.
rlly and unmanageable sons, buy and
stock farm and set down the wild youth
upon it, hoping that the productive pow.
ers OF generous soil may successfully
supplement- the shortcomings of reck.
| less and Idle living upon il?
Fortunately for us all, there is body
Of professional farmers, born and bred
to the vocation, whose industry, good
management and intelligent oversight
are the backbone of our successful pro
gress i'll the science of practical agricul
ture.
| When Turner. the famous modern
English painter, was asked what he usee
in mixing his colors, he growled out
I"Brains," and his answer would be wei
Iapplied to every branch of our indus
tries, and to none more than farming.
| By the light of modern discoveries il
chemistry, mechanics and meteorology
III know of no pursuit in which appro
PIRATE, thorough and precise learning i
more requisite or can be used will
greater certainty of remuneratye re
turns than in agriculture in all it
branches.
| believe this to be a great and i'm
portant truth, and that we are fast ap
proaching, if we have not already reach
ed the day when intellectual culture an,
thorough professional education are du
/ to the proper fultilmcnt of the duties q
n farmer.
Il | know the value Of practical expert
encc and do not in the least nnderrat
tho mother-wit, the sturdy and clos
observation of cause and effect, un
/ touched and unaidcd by literary cultur,
which has caused many II wild waste t
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