152 WISCONSIN AGRICULTURE. 



fertile country, as in the old worn-out countries of the Eastern 

 States or in Europe. There, every skill and faculty of the 

 farmer is taxed, to find out a way or process to resuscitate their 

 soils, and in this way, and this alone, do they succeed in making 

 them productive. We should profit by their experience, and 

 imitate their example, for the time will come, when necessity 

 will drive us, or if not us, those who are to succeed us, to the 

 same expedients. Here, and noio^ we should learn the nature 

 of our virgin soil, and the best method of preserving its fertility, 

 so that in the future, we may not regret our want of foresight, 

 and neglect to acquire the requisite information. 



It is true that nature has modeled in this valley of Rock river, 

 one of the best farming countries in the world. That in the 

 conformation of its soil — in its rich and rolling prairies, and its 

 beautiful oak openings — in its streams of pure and healthful 

 water, which meander through it, and in its healthful climate, 

 an agricultural country is presented to the eye, far more beauti- 

 fal and productive, than our friends of the East, who are toiling 

 on their barren hill sides, or little patches of stony or marshy 

 ground, can have any conception of. But while this is true, we 

 have no right to abuse these rich gifts of nature, and we shall 

 be wanting in our duty, not only to ourselves, but to posterity, 

 if we do not study how to improve, and not impoverish our 

 farms, so that we can leave them to those who are to follow us, 

 in at least as good and fertile a condition as we foand them. 



Agriculture is the grand substratum of all our social and 

 political economy. It lies at the basis of our commercial and 

 manufacturing prosperity. Its success gives a lively impulse 

 to every art — to every branch of mechanism — as well as to 

 commercial enterprise. Every exertion to elevate and encour- 

 age this great producing interest, is virtually an exertion fo: 

 the prosperity of every other individual pursuit. 



Attempts have been made at different times to elevate this 

 all important branch of industry by acts of legislation. To 

 establish agricultural schools, to educate the youth in the 

 science of agriculture, with a farm for experimenting, where 

 both the theory and practice may be taught together. 



