THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



169 



In our ride over this farm we saw much to ad- 

 mire and approve, and but little or nothing to con- 

 demn. The buildings are well adapted to the ends 

 for which they were designed, and in a perfect state 

 of preservation. From the mansion to the pigeon 

 house, every thing seemed to be accommodated 

 suitably to its wants. The fencing enclosures of 

 all kinds were strong and substantial. The corn 

 crop, which was being housed, seemed to be abun- 

 dant ; the clover fields well set ; the orchard exhi- 

 bited a thrifty and healthy appearance, and com- 

 prised a choice variety of fruit. The wheat field 

 seemed to have been prepared with great neatness 

 and skill, and the portion of the crop that was up, 

 looked healthy and vigorous. 



The tobacco crop, of which we saw but one sam- 

 ple, did not compare favorably with the Doctor's 

 former crops, which is attributable to his wishing 

 to improve a piece of poor land at the sacrifice of 

 his tobacco crop. We saw a remarkably fine pen 

 of fat hogs, about seventy in number, which spoke 

 well for the Doctor's system of hog raising; the 

 details of which, as it is an important subject in 

 these times of high prices for pork, we hope he 

 will furnish to the Club. The servants, the horses, 

 the cattle, the sheep, all showed a master's care. 

 This farm is worked by twenty hands, and its ave- 

 rage of sale crops for the past three or four years 

 has been about two hundred dollars to the hand. 

 The surface under cultivation about 750 acres. 

 And while these results have been obtained, a pro- 

 fuse and generous supply of all the substantial of 

 good living have been consumed on the farm. 



We cannot close this report without saying to 

 our friend (the Doctor) "Well done!" and recom- 

 mending his system of farming to the favorable 

 consideration of our Club. 



Signed, Hilary Harris, 

 William Ligon. 



For the Southern Planter. 



HOW IS THE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF VIR- 

 GINIA TO BE PLACED UPON A PERMANENT 

 AND SELF-SUSTAINING BASIS? 



It is presumed, Mr. Editor, that the zealous- 

 minded men who started this enterprise, and who 

 have labored long and hard in bringing it to its 

 present hopeful condition, have never dreamed for 

 a moment of establishing any thing short of a per- 

 manent Society — one that* shall not only promise 

 well, but by well directed efforts, constantly put 

 forth through an indefinite series of years, answer 

 fully the hopes of its founders, as well as the rea- 

 sonable expectations of the people of the State. 

 It is true, the great and good work has progressed 

 too far to be abandoned, but has it gone far enough 

 to be said to possess all the elements of vitality, 

 with that inherent vigor and energy which are at 

 once the indispensable requisites and pledges of a 

 long and prosperous career ? *lt has progressed far 

 enough, indeed, to demonstrate that it can finally 

 be consummated ; but has it progressed far enough 

 (if we may borrow the figure) to fling its canvas 

 to the breeze, and start on its merciful voyage of 

 prosperity and plenty and happiness'? Are all the 

 timbers of the good ship tight and close — her offi- 

 cers and crew properly provided for — all the tackle 

 and other furniture on board necessary for an in- 

 definite cruise on a boundless sea ? 



These are deeply important questions, and need 



well considered affirmative replies, before the inqui- 

 ry at the head of our article can cease to be the 

 prime question with all who wish success to the 

 undertaking. Now, as a friend and member of the 

 Society, we venture to suggest one defect in its or- 

 ganization, which, if not remedied, and remedied 

 speedily, will inevitably, in our humble judgment, 

 bring about the failure of the whole scheme. We 

 do not allude to any thing that has been done, but 

 to what has been left undone. So far as we are ac- 

 quainted with the history of its proceedings, they 

 commend themselves to our judgment. "So far 

 so good." But there is in its constitution a lack 

 that must be supplied, as we humbly conceive, in 

 order to secure permanently that prompt, energet- 

 ic and faithful administration of its affairs, which 

 is the only guaranty in any human association, 

 constrained or voluntary, against premature decay 

 and dissolution. We allude to the absence of any 

 provision for a just compensation to the officers of 

 the Society. The Secretary is the only officer, we 

 believe, who receives any thing for his services. 

 This is just and reasonable. But why should not 

 the others be compensated for their time, and tal- 

 ents, and labor, alsol That the Secretary has the 

 most arduous duties to perform, is a very good 

 reason why he should be amply remunerated ; but 

 surely the fact furnishes no argument to prove that 

 those who perform a less amount of duty, should 

 not receive a corresponding amount of pay. 



It wnll not do to say, that the officers would not 

 consent to receive such compensation, if it were 

 provided — the honor of pioneering and aiding in 

 so glorious an enterprise is a sufficient reward for 

 the high and patriotic mind. The connection be- 

 tween labor and its appropriate wages is too close 

 to be severed by a momentary enthusiasm, or the 

 laudable ambition of helping forward a noble 

 work. We doubt not that the worthy gentlemen — 

 the present incumbents — have partaken as largely 

 as any of us in the general enthusiasm, and are as 

 entirely under the influence of those generous im- 

 pulses, which usually accompany lofty purposes 

 and great occasions. But they must pass away — 

 the' enthusiasm of a first and successful effort must 

 come to an end, even if it be not followed by a cor- 

 responding and equal reaction of public feeling- 

 while the noblest and purest ambition will tire in 

 the continued performance of gratuitous, and it 

 may be, thankless services. 



Nor will it do to say, that the Society does not 

 possess the funds adequate to carry on its necessa- 

 ry operations, and at the same time provide sala- 

 ries for some 15 officers or more. This may be so, 

 but then is it not greatly to be feared that the So- 

 ciety has not the funds requisite to place itself in 

 an enduring and self-supporting position ? It may 

 possibly require some $40,000 or $50,000 to be 

 added to its present capital, to enable it to compass 

 this object. Then we can only say, that the Soci- 

 ety still wants that amount of funds to complete 

 its proper organization. And we are ready, so far 

 as we are concerned, to contribute our mite toward 

 making up the sum. 



But it is no. part of our purpose, at present, to 

 attempt to furnish any project for raising the ne- 

 cessary funds, or for determining the amount or 

 distribution of the compensation. We willingly 

 submit these questions to wiser and more experi- 

 enced heads. Our object will be fully accomplish- 

 ed if we succeed in calling the attention of the 

 members generally, and of the Executive Commit- 

 tee particularly, to this subject, which, in our judg- 



