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THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



On motion, Resolved, That Dr. Tingnal Jones, 

 Hon. William O. Goode, Capt. H. E. Lockett, 

 Richard Boyd, Esq. and Richard Russell, Esq., 

 be appointed a Committee to draft an address to 

 the Farmers and Planters of Mecklenburg, re- 

 spectfully requesting and urging them to form 

 agricultural clubs or associations for the purpose 

 of promoting the improvement of the land, and 

 all the interests of agriculture, and inviting them 

 to unite with us in our annual meetings, and in 

 such other efforts as may be deemed necessary 

 for the advancement of these objects. 



On motion of Dr. Jones, 



Resolved, That the President be added to the 

 Committee. 



In accordance with the above resolution the 

 Committee, after retiring a short time, presented 

 themselves, and through their chairman, A. C. 

 Morton, reported the following address, which 

 was adopted : 



To the Farmers and Planters of Mecklenburg : 



Gentlemen, — The undersigned have been ap- 

 pointed a Committee to address you on a sub- 

 ject they deem of general interest and impor- 

 tance. A few of your fellow-citizens have as- 

 sociated themselves in clubs for the purpose of 

 promoting agricultural improvement, and they 

 flatter themselves that their plan, if carried gen- 

 erally into effect, will be of great practical uti- 

 lity. The clubs contain each a dozen members, 

 who hold monthly meetings on the farms of the 

 members, and dine always at the house of the 

 member on whose farm they meet. At these 

 meetings they inspect the farm, applaud what 

 they consider praiseworthy, condemn what they 

 regard as erroneous in practice, and discuss such 

 agricultural subjects as may be agreed on or 

 brought incidentally before them. 



This plan is well calculated to inform the 

 members as to the best modes of cultivation, 

 and of managing all the various departments of 

 the farm, and to promote those social feelings 

 which ought to be cultivated in every neighbor- 

 hood. We are well persuaded that no more ef- 

 ficient plan could be put in operation, and we 

 have reason to believe that although our exist- 

 ing clubs are but of recent origin, good has al- 

 ready been effected by them. We are desirous 

 to see the attention of the agriculturists of every 

 section of the county directed to these important 

 objects, and respectfully invite them to form si- 

 milar clubs, and unite with us in our annual 

 meetings and such other efforts as may be 

 deemed best calculated to promote the objects in 

 view. 



We deem it superfluous to use arguments to 

 prove, that the situation of our portion of Vir- 

 ginia requires united efforts in the cause of agri- 

 culture. Every field proclaims in language 

 stronger than any we can use, the necessity of 

 exertions to stay the hand of the destroyer. We 



are favored by Heaven with a naturally fruitful 

 soil, a healthy and delightful climate, and every 

 other natural advantage to stimulate us to ex- 

 ertion. 



All that is wanting is to rouse the people to 

 examine into this subject and make such efforts 

 as its importance merits, and the tide of im- 

 provement will roll in its fertilizing waters until 

 every waste place shall become as a garden, 

 and "the desert bud and blossom as the rose." 



Come up, then, gentleman, and give us the 

 " right hand of fellowship," in this cause. We 

 shall be delighted to hear of the institution of 

 clubs all over the county, and shall hail them as 

 harbingers of the rapid improvement of agricul- 

 ture throughout its borders, and would gladly 

 meet all such clubs in general meetings, to be 

 held annually on the " fourth day of July," and 

 unite with them in every measure that promises 

 to promote the improvement of our soil, and the 

 advancement of the general interests of agri- 

 culture. 



The two clubs here assembled, through us 

 invite and urge you to form your clubs, and will 

 hold themselves in readiness to meet you at any 

 central point that may be agreed on, and concert 

 such measures as may be deemed of general 

 interest by such annual meetings. 



Tingnal Jones, "] 

 William O. Goode, ' 

 Henry E. Lockett, 

 Richard Boyd, 

 Richard Russell, | 

 A. C. Morton, J 

 Cabin Point, July 4, 1843. 



On motion of Mr. Williamson, 



Resolved, That the records of the proceedings 

 of each club, with the reports of investigating 

 committees for the ensuing year, be produced at 

 the next annual meeting for general inspection. 



On motion of Mr. Haskins, 



Resolved, That Capt. Henry E. Lockett be 

 appointed to read the Declaration of the Ame- 

 rican Independence, and that the Hon. William 

 O. Goode be invited to attend and deliver an ad- 

 dress at the next annual meeting. 



On motion of Mr. Richard Boyd, 



Resolved, That a copy of the proceedings of 

 this meeting be transmitted to the Editor of the 

 Southern Planter, with the request that it be 

 published. 



On motion, the meeting adjourned, to meet at 

 this place at 10 o'clock on the 4th day of July, 

 1844. 



A. C. Morton, President. 

 Henry E. Lockett, Secretary. 



This is certainly a most novel and interesting 

 mode of celebrating the fourth of July, and to 

 a community of farmers none could be more ap- 

 propriate. We can scarcely resist the desire we 



y Committee. 



