180 



FARMERS' REGISTER— REFLECTIONS ON FARMING. 



our ideas about present profits are not based more 

 in imagination, originatino- Irom the distorted me- 

 dimn tlirough which we view the improving sys- 

 tem, tlian upon the faets which some formers are 

 illustrating, or the logical deductions of distin- 

 guished agriculturists? Would not some of our 

 farmers, who have many laborers, and a large 

 quantity of poor land, do better to subtract a part 

 of the Ibrmer from their usual plantation employ- 

 ments, and have them engaged in improving their 

 farms? That some capita;! at all times can be pro- 

 fitably employed in improving, but few will dispute, 

 and Ave all know that a^ great deal of labor is year- 

 ly expended without any thing like an adequate 

 profit, on account of our lands being poor — and it 

 is equally well known, tliat labor is as cheap here, 

 if not cheaper, than in most of the states — and it 

 is also equally as plain, that if our lands were rich 

 and productive, that this state would be the first 

 choice of most persons, much less Virginians — 

 and that our lands Vv^ould sell as high as any in 

 the union. 



Now with all these facts before us, does it not 

 appear as clear as midday, that this is the most 

 suitable time to alter our operations — and that im- 

 provements can be made here at as little cost, and 

 with as much expectation of profit, as any where 

 in the union? Is it not as praiseworthy and as 

 profitable to convert barren wastes into verdant 

 fields, as to fell the loity forest, and to expose its 

 virgin soil to rude cultivation for a lew yeare^ 

 then to neglect, and finally to ruin? That man is 

 considered more deserving who makes a fortune. 

 than he who squanders one — if this is true in 

 money matters, it is much more so when applied 

 to agriculture. A man who enriches sterile fields, 

 and causes them to yield abundant crops, in doing 

 so adds materially to the general stock of wealth, 

 more, in my opinion, than one who hoards up 

 money — but the one who ruins a piece of land, 

 does a public injury, and is much more to be re- 

 prehended, than the spendthritl; who spends his 

 fortune — because in the latter case, the money 

 only changes hands, whereas in the former, the 

 soil passes away, and no one is benefited by the 

 change. 



Agriculture can be made to flourish either by di- 

 rectly aiding and patronizing it — (and as a conse- 

 quence, manufactures, commerce, &c. would fol- 

 low in its wake) or indirectly by making internal 

 communications, building up cities and manufiic- 

 turing establishments. But does it not appear 

 most reasonable to have the matenals in posses- 

 sion, or in other words to have produced the crops 

 before we determine whether they shall be sent to 

 market on such and such rail road or canal — or go 

 to subsist this or that manufacturing community 

 or commercial city? The other has the semblance 

 at least of accomplishing the thing backwards, 

 and this is plain, because agriculture is usually 

 considered the great ])ivot upon which commerce 

 and manufactures turn, and without it, they could 

 not exist but to a very limited extent, inasmuch 

 as their other resources are only secondary — there- 

 fore it being the most important, ought to be the 

 first subject to call our attention. But circum- 

 stanced as we are, it may be best all things con- 

 sidered, to eflect the object by combining the in- 

 direct with the direct means — in that event, we 

 could certainly calculate on accomplishing our 

 viewp, and that too, in the shortest period. It can 



be aided directly, by getting uj) societies for that 

 purpose, and this 1 think would be a very efficient 

 mode, and the more particularly as it is the order 

 of the day to do most things either by societies or 

 conventions. It could be aided most powerfully 

 by our intelligent and wealthy men — let them 

 study the subject, as it is- practised to the north, 

 and in Europe, and by skijflil men of this state — 

 let them make experiments, introduce the diflerent 

 improvements in utensils, cultivation, seed, stock, 

 &c., and last, though not least, let tliem inforn> 

 the public of the resuhs of experiments — of the 

 various articles introduced into the state — and of 

 all of the new lights which time, practice, and in- 

 formation, under the guidance of strong heads and 

 penetrating judgements may develope. 



A plaster inspection has been essaj"ed by our 

 legislature, but unfortunately did not succeed. If 

 the legislature could be convinced of the amount 

 the fiirmers lose on that account, and of the great 

 necessity of doing every thing in its power to ibs- 

 ter a spint of improv^ement, as we\l as of availing 

 itself of every opportunity of strengthening public 

 confidence both m the means used ajid the end 

 thereby to be obtained — it could hardly be doubted 

 but that inspections would be provided. Any of 

 our practical and intelligent gentlemen would con- 

 fer a favor on no inconsiderable portion of the 

 farming commimity, by taking up the subject, 

 stating its efi'ect and importance, and urging the, 

 legislature to give it a more mature consideration.*- 



In concluding these reflections, allow me to say, 

 that I have not the vanity to believe, that they 

 will have much, if any effect, upon the minds of 

 others. Great would be my gratification, if any 

 thing I have said should induce older and abler 

 men, to attempt the reformation of those abuses 

 in our system of agriculture, which talent, energy, 

 and perseverance combined, will infallibly accom- 

 plish. Let our intelligent and distinguished citi- 

 zens light the torch and lead the way, and who 

 will doubt the issue — who will doubt but that the 

 substantial yeomanry of our state will follow? Let 

 them by precept and example, give a tone to pub- 

 lic opuiion, awaken the attention and call into ex- 

 ercise the dormant powers of a people Avho pos- 

 sess the elements requisite to constitute a prospe- 

 rous and powerful commonwealth. .Let them en- 

 deavor to rescue an agricultural lite from the odium 

 which tavern politicians and "small-beer" lawyers 

 have long been casting upon it, and convince 

 young Virginians, that agricultural pursuits are 

 conducive to health and virtue, and are not irre- 

 concilable Avith expansion of mind, liberality of 

 sentiment, or devoted patriotism. 



December lOiJi, 1834. 



*We differ with most persons as to the policy and ef- 

 fects of legal inspections in general — and have addi- 

 tional objections to the particular inspection recom- 

 mended above. Unless the inspector possessed and 

 exercised some chemical knowledge, (whicn could not 

 be expected, from the usual manner of filling such ap- 

 pointments, and the rate of payment for the service,) his 

 decisions as to the purity of gypsum, would be of very 

 htlle worth. — Ed. Farm. Erg. 



