268 . AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 
fertility. When, however, we consider the length of time the older 
parts of the State have been under cultivation, and the large proportion 
of good arable land still remaining, even under the system of annual 
cropping for more than a hundred years, we have convincing evidence 
of their extraordinary agricultural value. + 
The agriculture of Virginia was conducted in strict accordance with 
the traditions of the fathers until a period within the memory of many 
now living. The old methods, transmitted from sire to son almost since 
the first settlement of the colony, underwent scarcely any change. In 
fact, the proprietors of large estates felt but little incentive to improve- 
ment as long as recourse could be had to the virgin soils, which admitted 
of beitig brought into cultivation at less expense than the old could be 
restored, or even kept up to a productive standard. It was not until 
the first Virginia agricultural society was formed, about the year 1822 
or 1823, and such men arose as Colonel John. Taylor, of Caroline; 
Wilson Cary Nicholas, of Albemarle; and Richard Sampson, of Gooch- 
land, with a few other eminent farmers in other parts of the State, that 
any general impetus was given to improvement. By their writings, and 
not less by their example, public attention was aroused to the necessity 
of achange. Colonel Taylor’s “ARATOR” was perhaps the most popu- 
lar work of the kind ever published in the South. It originally appeared 
in short papers in the Richmond Enquirer. These were subsequently 
collected into a small volume, which ran through many editions, and 
was read by ail classes. If it misled some of its readers, as it un- 
doubtedly did, it excited a spirit of inquiry, which led to valuable results 
in the end. If we were called on to designate the fathers of modern 
Virginia agriculture, we should have no hesitation in fixing on these three 
illustrious individuals—Colonel Taylor, as a writer; Mr. Sampson, as 
the most successful practical farmer the State has ever produced; and 
Governor Nicholas, in the double capacity of writer and practical 
farmer, who infused enthusiasm into the bosoms of all with whom a 
long public life brought him into personal association. Mr. Sampson, 
living near 2 great public thoroughfare, attracted visitors from all parts 
of the State, who went to see the wonderft! improvement he had effected. 
The spirit of improvement thus excited went on, gradually expand- 
ing and gathering strength, until the great political convulsion which 
culminated in the disruption of the labor system of the State, causing 
a shock to its material prosperity from which it will necessarily take 
long years of struggling to recover. <A revolution so sudden and so 
overwhelming could have no other effect than to paralyze for the time 
every industry in those districts where the former labor system prevailed 
to a large extent, and to derange it in some degree everywhere. The 
State was thus thrown back in her industrial career, but it is gratify- 
ing to notice that the people have met the crisis with admirable fortitude; 
and there is the best reason for believing that a change—the beginning 
of which is already perceptible—will -ultimately be wrought in the 
habits of the white race, the possessors of the soil, and prove eminently 
Salutary and beneticial. Another effect will be the disintegration of the 
overgrown and unwieldy plantations, and their subdivision into small 
farms. A hundred years are but a small period in the life of a nation, 
and though the present race of farmers may not witness the change, the 
second or third generation will live to see this grand old State dotted 
over with thousands of happy abodes, and her fair surface literaily 
transtormed into a garden. Such is the picture that will assuredly be 
presented when the great natural advantages of the country are de- 
veloped to their full extent. 
