MONTHLY 



JOURNAL OF AGIIICULTUIIE. 



VOL. II. MAY, 1847. NO. H. 



THE AGRICULTURE OF OHIO, 



AND THE PRESS AS CONNECTED WITH IT. THE OHIO CULTIVATOR. 



The effect which may be produced by a single press, controlled by an active- 

 minded, zealous man, and directed to the welfare of a particular branch of indus- 

 try, has been clearly evinced by the results which have ensued the establishment 

 of the " Ohio Cultivator," by Mr. Bateman, at the Seat of Government of the 

 "Buckeye" State. 



A Board of Agriculture has been organized under legislative sanction ; Socie- 

 ties have been formed all over the State ; and by these has an impetus been given 

 to the mind of cultivators of the soil in that powerlul and flourishing Common- 

 wealth, (an empire in herself,) which promises for her sons more true glory and 

 more enviable distinction than are to be derived from the most fertile soil and 

 the most abundant natural advantages. Sincerely do we wish her success in the 

 career of intellectual investigation as connected with her greatest and most sub- 

 stantial industry. At what higher or nobler destiny can any people aim ? What 

 object, in comparison with it, is worthy to engage the attention of rulers or 

 citizens ? 



With every disposition to befriend, and no motive to flatter the Editor of the 

 Cultivator, we do not say that the forward movement in the line of agricultural 

 improvement in Ohio is altogether the fruit of his zeal and ability. The mate- 

 rials were on the spot; the kindling may have been prepared, and even the 

 sparks may have been scattered here and there ; but it is obvious that since Mr. 

 Bateman planted himself in their midst, and put his hands to the bellows, the 

 blaze has been spreading far and wide, until the whole Commonwealth is getting 

 illuminated. But all this could not have been accomplished without a cheerful 

 spirit, and many willing hands on the spot to assist. 



Older papers, too, such as the Albany Cultivator and the Genesee Farmer, of 



extensive and deserved influence, had doubtless opened the way, and so prepared 



the public mind that the virus, so skillfully applied by Doctor B., took at once. 



Would that all communities were equally liable to similar inoculation. But if a 



single press, in the midst of a great State, in the beginning like a still small 



voice in the wilderness, can accomplish so much, what might not be expected 



for the cause of agricultural education (which, after all, must underlie all great 



and general improvement), were it possible to enlist even the occasional aid of 



\he general press of the country in behalf of that greatest of all national concerns ? 

 (1001) ai 



