2S4 



FARIMERS' REGISTER. 



[No. 



\he highest school of learning in the Statel Does 

 it not embrace the widest range of science? Is it 

 not supplied with the most extensive library, ap- 

 paratus, &c.? Is it not the resort of the greatest 

 number of youth, and regarded as best calculated 

 to add the tvnishing touches of education? And is 

 not its position most central, as well as in as fine 

 a section of country as any in the State? Such an 

 experiment as that proposed, could not, thcretbre, 

 be so fairly made any where else, if gentlemen in- 

 sist on calling it an experiment. If local advanta- 

 ges are to result, they would, necessarily, be en- 

 joyed at any other place. Though I do not agree 

 that these advantages will be confined to that 

 place; ibr, the benefit of them will rapidly spread 

 to the remotest corners of the State and far be- 

 yond them. Kvery valuable developement of sci- 

 ence and experiment will instantly fly through all 

 the channels of communication, and enlighten the 

 mind and practice of the husbandman in his rural 

 and most sequestered abode. The young men 

 who annually return to the bosom of their families 

 and friends, will also bring with them liberal and 

 enlightened views and a cultivated laste Ibr rural 

 pursuits. Husbandry will be elevated to its just 

 rank, and the learned professions (gratuitously so 

 called,) will no longer monopolize so much genms 

 and talent, nor be the graves of so many of our 

 young men. Public sentiment will be gradually 

 turned in favor of the certain profits, the real com- 

 forts and quiet joj's of agriculture. The streets of 

 your cities and market towns will be less crowded 

 by eager and desperate speculators; by gay drones 

 and fashionable voluptuaries. 



When this happy change shall be effected, may 

 we not confidently hope that the rich resources of 

 our State; the enviable advantages of our climate, 

 soil and location will be more justly appreciated — 

 that the ancient glory and renown of the Old Do- 

 minion will be relumed — and, that our society 

 will find its strongest and most congenial cement, 

 and substantial happiness, in the dear land of our 

 fathers. 



Yours, respectfully, 



CLAIBORNE VV. GOOCII. 



No. II. 



Board of ^'Agriculture — jJgricultural Tour. 



To the Editor of tlic Farmers' Register. 



Jlirfield, July, 183G. 

 The Legislature is asked to establish, u[)on a 

 plan similar to the one adopted in New York, a 

 Board of Agriculture. It might consist of one 

 member from each congressional district; to be 

 elected for two years, either by the people or the 

 General Assembly. They ought not to be per- 

 mitted to serve more than two years at a time; and, 

 perhaps, it would be best for half of the Board, 

 annually, to consist of new members. This acces- 

 eioii of fresh zeal every year, to be tempered by 

 the reflection and experience of the old members, 

 would be attended with good results. Such a 

 Board could not fail, at least, for some years, to 

 be highly beneficial to the interests of agriculture. 

 It would diffuse throughout the State much useful 

 information, and inspire a livelier interest in rural 

 pursuits. It might be the instrument of embody- 

 mg and disseminating a knowledge of practices 

 and improvements that too often remain long con- 



fined to particular neighborhoods, and dissipate 

 that cloud of pn-judice in favor of ancient courses, 

 that so much retard the success, and diminish the 

 profits of the husbandman. Thinly scattered, as 

 we are, over an extensive territory, we are, gene- 

 rally, without the means of comparing principles 

 and practices, or of learning, in any authentic form, 

 the results of such experiments as the means and 

 enterprise of individuals, even in Virginia, enable 

 Iheni to make. The Farmers^ Register is a val- 

 uable vehicle for the communication of such infor- 

 mation, I grant; but, only a few of the more weal- 

 thy of our population subscribe to that work; and 

 still fewer employ its columns for that purpose. 

 And, when they do so, it is too frequently in the 

 form of anonymous communications, that seldom 

 coiTimand that attention and credence, due to real 

 and respectable names. 



But, the prejudice agains*^^ every thing new, 

 however valuable, in husbandry is as deep-rooted 

 and general, as it is pernicious and ridiculous. 

 Something is necessary, to exterminate it, if possi- 

 ble, fi-om the minds of men, and guard those of 

 youth from imbibing it. Would not the eradica- 

 tion of this noxious weed be worth all the expense, 

 both of a Board of Agriculture and an Agricultu- 

 ral Tour? Those who have the means of making 

 experiments in a limited way, or step out of the 

 beaten track of their neighbors are sure to be point- 

 ed at, as mere book farmers, and to lose reputation 

 for good sense. Should they fail, even in one 

 among many praiseworthy attempts to improve in 

 tillage or management, they become, at once, butts 

 of ridicule; their credit suffers, and perhaps their 

 solvency is doubted. If they meet with success, it 

 is ascribed to mere chance or lucky seasons. 

 When new and valuable discoveries are made, 

 they are disseminated with such a snail's pace, 

 that it takes years ibr them to get beyond the 

 neighborhood. 



It is too generally believed that there is no art 

 or mystery in husbandry; that it requires no edu- 

 cation, and a very ordinary share of common 

 sense and intelligence. Nay, more; it is the pre- 

 vailing impression, and probably with two thirds 

 of the people, that a well educated man, with a 

 cultivated and expanded mind, is wholly unfit for 

 agriculture ! In what can this, most absurd opin- 

 ion originate? May we ascribe it to the fact, that 

 all our young men, possessed of these advantages, 

 have been, hitherto, devoted to other pursuits; that, 

 when they do settle upon farms, they leave the 

 management of every tiling to overseers; (who 

 frequently can neither read or write !) or, if they 

 undertake tlie management themselves, that, from 

 not having had their minds, in their youth, direct- 

 ed to, and instructed in, the principles and practice 

 of husbandry, they so oflen fail, and have to sell 

 out; or, at any rate, blunder along, and spend half 

 their patrimony, before experience teaches them 

 the ordinary skill, and gives its consequent success? 

 But, no matter to what causes such an impres- 

 sion may be owing, it ought to be removed. And 

 is there any better way of doing it, than, for the 

 Legislature to take agriculture under its protec- 

 tion, and elevate it in public opinion? It has been 

 said, that the character and chief interests and 

 pursuits of a nation may be ascertained by an ex- 

 amination of its laws. According to this test, 

 what sort of an opinion do you think a stranger 

 would form of us, after having read our code of 



