THE SOUTHERN PLANTER . 



235 



better farmer than the proprietor; we know that 

 such is too often the case, and until such a pro- 

 prietor has, by dint of study and experience, 

 qualified himself to assume his proper station, 

 he had better leave all to his manager, taking 

 care, however, that it shall be to his interest to 

 prepare for future crops, whilst he makes reason- 

 able drafts on the land for the present. 



AGRICULTURAL APHORISMS. 



NO. VI. 



Partly Extracts. 



One of the most remarkable features of mo- 

 dern times, is the combination of large numbers 

 of individuals, representing the whole intelli- 

 gence of nations, for the express purpose of ad- 

 vocating science by their united efforts, of learn- 

 ing its progress, and of communicating new 

 discoveries. The formation of such associations, 

 is in itself, an evidence that they were needed. 



It is not every one who is called by his situa- 

 tion in life, to assist in extending the bounds of 

 science, but all mankind have a claim to the 

 blessings and benefits which accrue from its 

 earnest cultivation. The foundation of scien- 

 tific institutions is an acknowledgment of these 

 benefits, and this acknowledgment, proceeding 

 from whole nations, may be considered as a 

 triumph of mind over empiricism. 



Innumerable are the aids afforded to the 

 means of life, to manufactures, and to commerce, 

 by the truths which assiduous and active inqui- 

 rers have discovered, and rendered capable of 

 practical application. 



Agriculture is the true foundation of all trade 

 and industry — it is the foundation of the riches 

 of states. But a rational system of agriculture 

 cannot be formed without the application of sci- 

 entific principles. 



The life of plants is closely connected with 

 that of animals, in a most simple manner, and 

 for a wise and sublime purpose. 



The presence of a rich and luxuriant vegeta- 

 tion, maybe conceived, without the concurrence 

 of animal life, but the existence of animals is 

 undoubtedly dependent upon the life and devel- 

 opment of plants. 



Vegetable culture heightens the healthy state 

 of a country, and a previously healthy country, 

 would be rendered quite uninhabitable by the 

 cessation of all cultivation. 



We do not know what height and strength 

 nature has allotted to plants; but this we know, 

 that a plant gains another mouth and another 

 stomach, with every new fibre of root, and every 

 new leaf, consequently, as those organs are in- 

 creased, so must the plant be nourished and en- 

 larged. 



All the innumerable products of vitality, re- 

 . sume after death, the original form from which 

 they sprung. And thus death, the complete 

 dissolution of an existing generation, becomes 

 \ the source of life for a new one. 



Heat and moisture are the principal agents, 

 ' both in producing and destroying. 



Which is cheapest, to fence up a permanent 

 pasture for your cattle, or to fence up all the 

 lands required for your agricultural purposes'? 



There is noway of making improvements in 

 farming, but by experiments. If the farmer can 

 conceive of a better mode of culture, or manage- 

 ment, he should test its propriety by experiment ; 

 and if successful, he has performed an act which 

 is serviceable to his country, and honorable to 

 himself. 



The lands of a nation are its principal capi- 

 tal ; if these become so exhausted as to yield 

 little more in products, than what is merely 

 equal to the value of the labor bestowed on 

 them, the condition of that nation must, in the 

 general, be poor. 



By highly improving a country, its popula- 

 tion may be doubled or trebled, and by thus 

 bringing the members of the community closer 

 together, much labor is saved in their necessary 

 intercourse ; much in going to church, to mill, 

 and to market. 



Good culture, when bestowed on highly im- 

 proved land, may be said to be a source of ra- 

 tional pleasure; whilst that which is usually 

 given to land which is but poorly improved, is 

 most commonly productive of much toil and 

 vexation. 



The killing of beasts for our use is lawful, 

 but surely it is not lawful to torture them. 



Lands are seldom so rich, but it may be mat- 

 ter of gain to increase their fertility ; and few 

 tracts are so poor, but with proper tillage and 

 manuring, they may be made the residence of 

 plenty. 



In supplying animal and vegetable manure, 

 .a temporary food is only provided for plants, 

 which is in all cases exhausted by means of a 

 certain number of crops ; but when a soil is 

 rendered of the best possible constitution and 

 texture, with regard to its earthy parts, its fer- 

 tility may be considered as permanently esta- 

 blished. 



The deeper you plough, the thicker you may 

 sow, for by deep ploughing the range for the 

 roots is increased. 



You had as well try to make a greenhorn 

 write Greek, as to make land produce a crop 

 which is contrary to its nature. If you wish to 

 alter the crop you must alter the land. 



The expense of any kind of tillage should 

 never be regarded, where clear profit proportion- 

 ately great may be expected. 



A cornfield is not rejected because it has a 

 few noxious weeds in it ; neither should a 



