No. 5. 



A Discourse on Agriculture. 



139 



in our midst, extends from New Jersey to 

 the Maryland line.* That service, I have 

 the satisfaction to believe, was performed 

 in a manner generally acceptable to those 

 concerned: and it is but justice to the mem- 

 ory of my lamented colleague, to say, that 

 much of the value of that performance was 

 owinij to the same zeal, activity, and sound 

 judgment, which he had previously displayed 

 in his airricultural improvements. His was, 

 emphatically, one of those enterprising spi- 

 rits which are sent among us from time to 

 time — and as it were providentially — to de- 

 monstrate, and to teach thoughtless, sluggish 

 mortals, how much an individual may ac- 

 complish, in promoting the welfare of our 

 race. But if individuals, by their isolated 

 efforts and example, can exert such a salu- 

 tary influence upon the community — what 

 may we not hope from the joint labours of 

 associated intelligence? It will scarcely be 

 questioned, I think, that we were designed 

 for social beings. Man is, by nature, a gre- 

 garious animal, — and evidently intended for 

 the performance of mutual good offices. 

 Even in his rudest condition, he soon learns 

 the importance of co-operation with his fel- 

 lows in producing desired results: and as he 

 advances in civilization and refinement, he 

 discovers that the benefits to be derived from 

 combined skill and energy are in a direct 

 ratio with his progress in improvement. 

 The developments of science not only e.v- 

 cite a salutary emulation among individuals, 

 — but they also show how much more may 

 be accomplished by a concentration of effort 

 — by a skilful union and concert, of indivi- 

 dual talent and energy. Hence the resort 

 to Societies, for the promotion of desirable 

 objects. By a judicious combination of their 

 several means, and capacities, in the mode 

 best suited to render them all available, men 

 have accomplished purposes which, indivi- 

 dually, they could never hope to perform. 



Associated efforts having been found thus 

 valuable, in all great works of Art, requir- 

 ing skill and force — and in the prosecution 

 of researches afler scientific truth, — the in- 

 quiry is naturally suggested, why the im- 

 portant business of agriculture, may not, 

 also, be benefitted by a resort to similar ex- 

 pedients. Is there no sort of knowledge in- 

 volved in successful agriculture, which may 

 be reciprocated, with good effect, among the 

 members of a Society — or promoted by a 



* Tliis road begins at the Bridge over the Delaware 

 at New Hope, and crossing the counties of Bucks and 

 Montgomery, passes along the whole length of Chester 

 county, through the Boronghs of West Chester and Ox- 

 ford, and part of Lancaster county, to the Maryland 

 Sine,— Ed. Cab. 



generous co-operation'? Is there no scien- 

 tific or practical skill requisite, in the ameli- 

 oration of soils — the culture of plants — or 

 the management of stock — which may be 

 advantageously imparted by the experienced, 

 for the benefit of young beginners? If there 

 are truths in nature, which farmers are in- 

 terested to know — or processes in Art, where- 

 in dexterity and economy are desirable, — 

 can any good reason be assigned why the 

 cultivators of the soil should not associate, 

 to secure to themselves those advantages? 

 It may, perhaps, be alleged, — for the unre- 

 flecting do often make such random allega- 

 tions, — that agriculture is essentially a prac- 

 tical Profession ; and therefore has little 

 occasion for artistical skill, or scientific ac- 

 complishments. I am prepared to admit all 

 that can be fairly urged in behalf of sound 

 experience and plain practical common sense 

 — not only in agriculture, but — in all human 

 pursuits. I grant that the cultivation of the 

 soil is eminently a matter-of-fact business. 

 It is true, moreover, that the veriest clod- 

 poll in the land may pursue the beaten track 

 of his annual labours with tolerable success, 

 — and may gather in his crops with little 

 more knowledge of the objects around him, 

 than is possessed by the cattle he drives: 

 but I can never believe that true knoicledge 

 is injurious to the operatives, or to the inte- 

 rests of any profession or business; — nor can 

 I be persuaded that boorish ignorance is the 

 proper condition and character of a thorough 

 bred agriculturist. Most assuredly, it is not 

 the appropriate character of an American 

 farmer. While I not only agree, but would 

 insist, that a sound practical knowledge of 

 their profession should be the primary object 

 of the cultivators of the soil, — I must, at 

 the same time, contend for the feasibility and 

 necessity — in the existing state of society, 

 and under institutions like ours — of an ade- 

 quate acquaintance with the laws of nature, 

 and with the properties and true character 

 of the objects immediately concerned in ag- 

 riculture. That acquaintance, of course, 

 should be based on correct scientific princi- 

 ples, — so as to be always available when ap- 

 plied to the usefiil purposes of life. I hold 

 it, indeed, to be essential to the safety and 

 duration of this Republic, that our yeomanry 

 should keep pace with the march of general 

 intelligence. As they value their just rights, 

 and would cherish the attributes of freemen, 

 they must take care that their attainments 

 never lag behind the age in which they live, 

 — nor they, themselves, become unfit to min- 

 gle, and to struggle, with the master spirits 

 who, for good or for evil, are ever seeking 

 to direct the course and control the progress 

 of communities. Agriculturists being a 



