AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. 35 



country embraces all climates and is suited to the plants of almost 

 all zones. It is unnecessary here to enter into an examination of 

 particular ones, but it is hoped that their importance will attract 

 that attention hereafter which they deserve. It has already called 

 forth some notice, but not so much as it ought. The culture of 

 silk is exciting increased interest every year. The proceedings of 

 the Silk Convention held in the city of New York, in the month 

 of October last, displayed a most gratifying zeal in this pursuit. It 

 is now demonstrated that this climate is favorable to the business, 

 and may we not expect that the time is not far distant when the 

 amount of imports irom foreign countries will be very much di- 

 minished, if we cannot enter into the full faith that we shall ye 

 become exporters of the article. 



The cultivation of hemp is assuming at the present time no 

 small share of importance, and under the new modes of preparation 

 for use, bids fair to become of great consequence to the country. 

 The olive — madder, and other articles which we have hitherto 

 di'awn from other nations, may be cultivated in this country with 

 profit, and it is only necessary that the enterprise of our agriculturists 

 should be awakened and directed to them. The following state- 

 ment of the amount of some of these products imported to the 

 United States from foreign countries, will show their cost to 

 us, and what may be saved by growing them ourselves. In the 

 year 1842 the value of imported silks, was $10,095,382 ; hemp, 

 $1,119,559; olive oil, $138,2i7. 



We have attempted briefly to show w^hat may be done for 

 American agriculture. That the subject has not been examined in 

 all its bearings is true — indeed it were impossible in the span of a 

 single artice. We hope however to have opportunities in future, 

 in more practical papers, to set forth the subject more at large. 

 That something must be done is felt by all. Our farmers are 

 groaning under low prices — the new states are running a strong 

 opposition with the old, and the only way for the latter to equal- 

 ize themselves with the other, is to make use of all the improve- 

 ments which are in their power. 



Again — in the old states, many are adopting, and many more 

 will adopt, new methods, and the rest must be left behind. They 

 cannot compete with them whilst they stick to old practices, any 

 more than they could with old fashioned implements. Thus two 



