SOLON ROBINSON, 1841 165 



affirmative, I will show you ways and means to "set the 

 ball in motion." The thing can, if you say it must, it 

 SHALL be done. But remember that the worthy editors 

 of this paper are doubtful of the feasibility of the under- 

 taking, and their opinion is entitled to consideration ; but 

 if we conclude to "soberly rely upon ourselves, and our 

 own resources," and are likely to succeed, they will come 

 to our aid with the power of Hercules; and so will the 

 editor of every agricultural journal in the Union — so 

 will every legislator, for the project will be "popular." 

 No doubt your correspondent speaks truly when he says, 

 "if we are to have a National, or American Society of 

 Agriculture, it must be got up by farmers themselves." 

 Shall we, the present generation, have it — shall the ar- 

 dent and devoted friends of a cause that seeks "to elevate 

 the character and standing of the cultivators of the 

 American soil," have an opportunity of meeting one an- 

 other, upon a spot so consecrated as that will be, where 

 such an union of hands and hearts would take place. 

 How ardently do I long to see such a meeting of such 

 men as will compose such a society. Such a meeting will, 

 sooner or later, take place, for it is the nature, dis- 

 position and education of the people of this country, to 

 assemble together to discuss important questions. Is any 

 question now before the people, so important as improve- 

 ment in agriculture? Does not the wonderful extension 

 of the number and circulation of agricultural journals, 

 show that the public mind is deeply agitated upon the 

 subject. 



And now friend Garnett, what say you 7 1 What says 

 old Virginia? What says old Kentuck, through friend 

 Stevenson, 2 of the Kentueky Farmer? And upon "sober 



1 Garnett, in a letter of February 17, 1841, to Robinson, printed 

 in the March issue of the Cultivator (8:48), condoled with him 

 over the refusal of Gaylord and Tucker to sponsor the move for 

 a national organization, and proposed a new scheme for starting 

 the society. 



'Thomas B. Stevenson, born 1803; died 1863. Agricultural 

 writer and speaker of great power. Editor of the Franklin 

 Fovrmer, later the Kentucky Farmer, Frankfort, Kentucky, and 



