PART III. MEN INFLUENTIAL IN IMPROVING AGRICULTURE. 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 



No man in the eighteenth century did more to improve farming 

 in America than George Washington. Our histories are full of his 

 political and military achievements, but little is said of his great 

 service for the agricultural improvement of the new Republic. His 

 life was so full of the most important tilings bearing on the life of 

 our country that it is difficult to estimate in which line he was of 

 most service to humanity. Notwithstanding his success as a soldier 

 and a statesman, he was first and last a farmer. 



He owned estates located in many different States, and his pub- 

 lished utterances contain many letters about his farms and how he 

 was trying to improve the methods of farming. He induced Gen. 

 Lafayette to send some improved seed from France. He corresponded 

 with the agricultural experts of England and sought the best advice 

 on sheep raising. He imported improved stock from Spain and 

 Holland and bought the latest machineiy in England. At that time 

 Scotland was perhaps making more progress in agriculture than any 

 other country, and he sent his agent to Scotland to secure overseers 

 for his plantations. 



His home was really a veritable agricultural experiment station, 

 and he had both friends and agents in Europe sending him improved 

 seeds and cuttings and giving him the best ideas in agriculture. He 

 kept weekly records of planting, and made experiments in seed selec- 

 tion and cultivation. He became an expert agriculturist for that day 

 and was consulted by leading scientists of Europe. 



He saw with concern the declining fertility of old estates, and ad- 

 vocated crop rotation, the use of fertilizers, and seed selection as the 

 best means to prevent decline. He favored the establishment of agri- 

 cultural schools and was an active member of the first American 

 agricultural society, which was established in 1785. Wliile he was 

 leading the armies of the Revolution he received regular reports 

 from his overseers. During the most stormy periods of his admin- 

 istration as President, he followed his overseers' work, and he wrote 

 them letters full of advice about planting, cultivating, and caring 

 for the stock. When he grew tired of political affairs, it was to 



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