JOURNAL OF RURAL ART Affl) RURAL TASTE. 



€^ Sfltianal Sgnnrunre nf tlje IgrirEltnrnl Mm± 



KRO general observers, the prosperity of tlie United States in the great interests of 

 ^ trade, commerce, manufactures, and agriculture, is a matter of every-day remark, 

 and general assent. The country extends itself from one zone to another, and from 

 one ocean to another. New states are settled, our own population increases, emigra- 

 tion pours its vast tide upon our shores, new soils give abundant harvests, new settle- 

 ments create a demand for the necessaries and luxuries of life provided by the older 

 cities, and the nation exhibits at every census, so unparalleled a growth, and such 

 magnificent resources, that common sense is startled, and only the imagination can 

 keep pace with the probable destines of the one hundred millions of Americans that 

 will speak one language, and, we trust, be governed by one constitution, half a cen- 

 tury hence. 



As a wise man, who finds his family increasing after the manner of the ancient pa- 

 triarchs', looks about him somewhat anxiously, to find out if there is likely to be bread 

 enough for their subsistence, so wise statesmen, looking at this extraordinary growth 

 of population, and this prospective wealth of the country, will inquire, narrowly, 

 into its productive powers. He will desire to know whether the national domain is so 

 managed that it will be likely to support the great people that will be ready to live 

 upon it in the next century. He will seek to look into the present and the future 

 sufficiently to ascertain whether our rapid growth and material abundance, do not arise 

 almost as much from the migratory habits of our people, and the constant taking-up 

 of rich prairies, yielding their virgin harvests of breadstuflfs, as from the institutions 

 peculiar to our favored country. 



We regret to say, that it does not require much scrutiny on the part of a serious 

 inquirer, to discover that we are in some respects like a large and increasing family 

 running over and devouring a great estate to which they have fallen heirs, with 



Sept. 1, 1851. 



No. IX. 



