The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-08-30
farm and 6arden.
The Want of Governmental Sup
port to Agriculture.

port to Agriculture.
1t may be affirmed without fear of con-
tradiction that there is no handicraft.
art, or science upon which the welfare OF
society so much depends as on agricul-
ture. 1t is equally true that nothing oil
equal Importance receives so little of the
fostering care either of scientific or politi
cal societies. In every political com
munity men rise to position by their ca
pacity to move the passions of the null
titude. Their themes are, consequently,
the glory of conquest, the triumphs OF
commerce, the elevation of those arts
which contribute to the strength of their
arms, the defence of their country, or the
force by which they may attack neigh
boring territory. Not one in every mil
lion Of the great whom the world wor
ships has made his name or fame by de-
votion to the peaceful pursuits of hus-
bandry. Commerce and art have Joined
hands to purchase the discoveries OF
science; hence the master minds of
philosophio thought have found it their
interest to unite themselves with com
mercial circles. But to agriculture have
been given the poor, the unambitious,
and the tolling. From agriculture has
been taken the thought, the ambition,
and the wealth by which the nations OF
the world are built up. Whole sessions
Of Senates are given up as a matter of
course to the armies, navies, manufac-
turtles, and commerce of the country. and
to the consideration Of how to draw from
agricultural produce in the least obiec
tionable manner the money REQUIRED for
carrying out these grand designs. Mil
lions are voted for the army and for ex-
periments in arms. Millions more for
the navy, and for new designs in ships of
war and torpedoes to destroy ships. But
a session of Parliament devoted to the
interests of agriculture is a phenomenon
which the world has not seen. And such
state of things will perhaps only be re-
medied when famine, with its CHASTITY
train, knocks at the mansions of the
great. And even then some half remedy
some slight alienation will be considered
enough, and the governors of the world
will fold themselves up in their furs and
ermlne, and command agriculture to toll
Onto cease grumbling and to paw in
peace. When shall such folly and OBJ
duracy be overthrow, and the dictates
OF common sense and justice be allowed
to rule the destinies of the people?
Agriculture has problems of vital and
universal Importance yet unsolved, which
require for their solution the highest or
der of scientific thought the most patient
and persevering industry, and such re-
sources of wealth as only the State can
supply. We make no reference to the
relations of joint proprietors, or of pro-
prietor and cultivator. We simply refer
to the conditions by which a given por-
ton of land can be made to yield the
greatest amount of material wealth from
year to year. This is problem which
every farmer in the country is trying to
solve each year according to the best of
his ability; but we fail to solve it Alright
owing to our want of knowledge and
want of means. We close this article bv
pointing few, out of many instances,
which could be given of the constant
waste In agriculture arising from want
OF knowledge. One-t third Of the whole
crop of hay passes into manure without
previously passing through the bodies Of
the csttle. Seven tenths of the straw
which with proper means and knoWl-
edge could be proftably usedas feeding
stuff, passes similarly to the manure
heap. One-third of the food supplied to
cattle is absorbed in keeping up the heat
OF the animals bodies owing to uncom
Portable housing, and many die of disease
arising from imperfect ventilation
Thousands of pounds are expended ON
ARTIFICIAL manures which are put in soil
already too rich in the same materials.
but almost barren for lack of other plant
food not supplied. Thousands Of pounds
worth of manure are evaporated into the
regions of space by the heating and i'm
proper exposure of the materials from
our stables and cow-houses, and thou
sands more are washed into the bitches
and sewers owing to culpable careless
ness. Many such considerations as the
above have been suggested to our minds
by reading Mr.. William Davidsons in
teresting contribution to farming science
delivered at the recent meeting of the
OSJ91emico- Agriculture Society of Ulster
we are pleased to observe that an ap-
P-lcatlon is about to be made to the
Government nv tbie Sociat,, TO- II :.