704 



FARMERS' REGISTER— IMPROVEMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



which has been given to the pursuits of agricul- 

 ture. We have succeeded in attracting lO our 

 standard, a portion ol" that mind lieretolore so un- 

 profiuibly emj}loyed. Tliis vviil add much to our 

 materiel ibr inijjrovement. For alter all, there is 

 nothing, no matter what may be the [)ursuit in 

 which man is engaged wortliy of hiniseltj so lii- 

 vorable to success as intelligence. 



While, however, much has been done by this 

 society, and others distributed through dilterent 

 parts ot' the state, I continue of the opinion, tliat 

 it IS indispensable to that entire success, so essen- 

 tial to the best interests of agricuhure, that a pro- 

 fessorship of tliat science should be added to the 

 University, with which should be connected a 

 pattern I'arm, and a press dedicated exclusively to 

 this noble science and its liandmaids. You are 

 aware, that these have long been tiivorite objects 

 with me, and that I have frequently inculcated the 

 necessity oi' a united efibrt amongst our brethren. 

 to eft'ect their establishment by legislative aid. 

 Some iew years past, 1 availed myself of a tran- 

 sient opportunity to invoke, in person, the legisla- 

 ture in their behalf. It was in vain I urged that 

 in a society boasting ol' its exclusive agricult.,ral 

 character, the legislature had never dispensed the 

 sUghtest aid to its encouragement; that v\^hile the 

 tillers ol'the earth had paid nincty-nine-hundredths 

 of the cost of the University, their particular in- 

 terests had been entirely overlooked. That noth- 

 ing could produce a more beneficial influence, 

 than by placing agriculture among tlie learned 

 professions. That such an institution would lur- 

 nish a locus, to which communications would be 

 made; and after passing the ordeal of experiment 

 and intelligence, might be re-communicated to 

 society with the approbation or disapprobation of 

 such unquestionable authority. That there too, 

 every new discovery and invention might be tested, 

 so as to save us from useless expenditures, by 

 avoiding pretended improvements, or at once pro- 

 fiting by such as were really beneficial — that here 

 seeds and plants from every clime might be culti\-a- 

 ted, which our patriotic countrymen of the navy are 

 continually bringinij amongst us — that here might 

 be solved the interesting problem, whether the 

 grape could be successfully cultivated in our cli- 

 mate, and if favorably, that millions might be 

 saved annually in the article of wine. That the 

 state of society made it fit that these improve- 

 ments should be made at the cost of the state, as 

 it was obvious from our coparcenary principle 

 of distributing property, and the consequent dimi- 

 nution of the estates of individuals, there would 

 be but Cow or none able to encounter the risks, 

 and not unfrequently losses, attending all new ex- 

 periments. That by such an establishment a fine 

 opportunity woidd be oflered for redeeming the 

 pledge suggested at the estaVjlishment of the Lit- 

 erary Fund, t hat a 5^outh from each senatorial dis- 

 trict, of promise, and without the means of educa- 

 tion, should be adopted by the commonwealth, and 

 educated at her cost. These youths dividing their 

 time between study and labor on the I'arm, and 

 eventually sent out as shining lights, would im- 

 part their knowledge throughout the entire state. 

 In addition, that the rising youth, the future men 

 of Virginia, attending the University might profit 

 alike of the results of studv and experiment, and 

 be able at once to direct judiciously, their farming 

 operations, when taking possession of their es- 



tates; and by which they might avoid those vexa- 

 tions and losses to which our inexperienced youno- 

 tiirmers are so frequently exposed, eventuating not 

 untrequeutly in their rum, and entire disgust of the 

 pursuit itseill 'J'hat such an establishment under 

 a proper bead, would, were the question to be tried 

 exclusively by dollars and cents, be slill entitled to 

 tkvor, as by proper regulations it might in time, 

 by its own resources, meet every expense. And 

 finally, that il' patriotism were worth cherishino-, 

 there was nothing more favorable to its growth 

 than to make our country worthy of the afiections 

 of its citizens — and that beneficent institutions im- 

 parting great good to all conditions, presented an 

 object that could not liiil to excite the regards of 

 all. To njy mortification, these suggestions fell 

 still-born. They appeared as scandal to, the Jew.s, 

 and tolly to the Greeks. There was a headlong 

 member condescended to notice merely to de- 

 nounce them, as smelling strongly of the tarifl'. In 

 a few days after, an election of a door keeper came 

 on, and I tbund ten times as much interest as to 

 the result, as had been exhibited touching my pro- 

 jjosition, which I thought, and still think, was one 

 of national importance. Indeed, I may here re- 

 mark, that I have been brought (after long obser- 

 vation, Avith some opportunity of making just 

 ones,) to the conclusion that our free institutions 

 have been grossly perverted i'rom their original 

 purpose. They were intended as means to pro- 

 mote the happiness of society. It is now no long- 

 er the first question, what shall be done — but the 

 one of all prevailing interest is, who is to do it — 

 who shall be our servants, or rather Vv'ho shall be 

 our masters — to whom are the spoils of victory to 

 be given? The welfiire of society, in the violence 

 of the contest, is made quite a secondary question. 

 Hence nearly all are politicians, and I lear a fi'ight- 

 ful proportion candidates for office. The interests 

 of agriculture, so far as the government is con- 

 cerned, have been too insignificant in the general 

 strife to receive the slightest consideration. It is 

 therefore with unfeigned ])leasure I see in this so- 

 ciety, some few at least who liave escaped the ge- 

 neral contagion, and who devote their time and ta- 

 lents to agriculture. To these I offer the expres- 

 sion of my profbundest gratitude. Ten righteous 

 men would have saved Sodom and Gomorrah. I 

 am quite sure that numbers may be found in thia 

 society to whom all that concerns agriculture, 

 may be most safely confided within our contracted 

 sphere. But, if ever the time should come when 

 the stormy elements of party and jiolitical strife, 

 shall be composed to rest, and our legislators shall 

 direct their attention to the just objects of our po- 

 litical insthutions, it may then be worth while for 

 the tillers of the earth by a united movement, to 

 endeavor to make themselves heard in the legisla- 

 tive hall, so as to obtain a portion of that justice 

 of which, as a class, they have been so long de- 

 prived. To the end that concert may be obtained, 

 it is devoutly to be wished that agricultural socie- 

 ties may be every where established, embodying 

 all the zeal and intelligence among us, which 

 speaking the same sentiments, and expressing the 

 same wishes, could not ftiil to succeed in achiev- 

 ing any reasonable project favorable to their inter- 

 ests. Beyond that the tillers of the earth do not 

 wish to pass. 



I proceed now to discharge the particular duty 

 assigned me at this session. 



