THE 



C I N CINNAT U S. 



VOL. II. NOVEMBER 1, 1857. NO. H 



THE CLAIMS OF AMERICAN AGRICULTURE UPON THE 

 PATRONAGE OF GOVERNMENT. 



The American continent has been the theater of some of the most 

 stirring scenes and thrilling events in the records of the past. Re- 

 vert but to the period of its remarkable settlement, of its colonial 

 dependence, and revolutionary struggle, and you have presented in 

 bold relief those characteristics which have marked our progress 

 and secured our prosperity. This our present happy condition has 

 resulted from the virtue, intelligence, and industry of the peo- 

 ple ; and these characteristics must still be maintained in all their 

 integrity, if we are to retain our high position, which will be found 

 more difficult in our prosperity than in the days of our adversity. 



We have been, and must in the nature of things continue to be, 

 an agricultural people, and this gives us more ground to hope that 

 our future will bo prosperous, our destiny glorious. 



Farming — the cultivation of the soil — occupies at this time four- 

 fifths of our population. And the rapid expansion, and spread of 

 population by reason of that great modern improvement and im- 

 prover, the railroad, is adding daily, numbers, wealth and influence 

 with unexampled rapidity to those engaged in this vocation. The 

 broad and extensive plains of the West and South are fast filling up 

 with a busy, enterprising, and intelligent population, who have 

 possessed themselves of farms of unlimited extent, and great fertility, 

 ready to their hands. 



A few items will suffice to show the magnitude and importance of 

 the farming interests of these States. Note a few facts. There is 

 VOL. II., XI.— 31. (481) 



