Various

“ Beware! ye noble-minded yeomen, how you admit into your little libraries, these insidious seducers, these tares, which grow amidst the tender plants which the Lord of the heritage has deposited in the soil he loves, and committed to your charge. It is in your power to aid the growth of the germs of goodness and piety, which may flourish under your fostering care, by the blessing of the great Husbandman, and make your children the glory of our country! Aim, therefore, at a judicious selection, that the seeds you sow may not want either weight or purity ”

“ Youth is not the season for reflection. Fame has not yet animated the daring spirit of enterprise, and the social circle and the midnight revel display all their attractions. Lost in the whirl of inebriating delights, Reason maintains but a divided empire. But let her "still small voice" be heard in the intervals of passion, and will it not whisper to his heart, Is it peace?
The bowl has ceased to exhilarate; this species of excitement is happily relinquished, and, in the active scenes of business, he finds a stimulant to exertion and enjoyment. ”

“ The flood of commerce [Pg 105] which set upon our shores during five and twenty years of war and disorder in Europe, has given to our cities a premature growth. In every branch of trade and commerce there are too many competitors. Labourers are too numerous. Every mechanic art, every liberal profession is overdone. Happy would it be for the city, and happy for the country, if any efforts of this Society could inspire a respect, and a taste, for an art in which no man need be ashamed to employ his faculties; for a condition, which after all, seems most congenial to the nature of man. ”

“ Can it then be wondered that agriculture has advanced so little? Ought we not rather to wonder that it has advanced so much as it has, since so little pains are taken to qualify our youth to make improvement in it? As an art it is perhaps more capable of improvement than any other, because the sciences on which it is founded, are more numerous and more extensive in their nature. ”

“ The highest and most lasting rewards of fame, have been earned by slow and patient labour; while the more dazzling career of genius has often terminated in disappointment and obscurity. He who trusts to the mere force and splendour of his talents, will find that they cannot sustain his flight, and that the most brilliant inventions of the human mind fade before the realities of nature; that there is no real glory in philosophy, separate from that of truth, and no key which will unlock her treasures, save that of patient investigation. ”

“ One thing more remains, which I cannot in conscience pass by, and in which, perhaps the Society may find means to do some good. Can no method be devised, to check the inordinate use of spirituous liquors? This shocking habit, strikes at the root of agriculture, by robbing it of the labour necessary for its support. It would be a waste of time, to enumerate the ills which flow from this disgraceful vice, because they are obvious to everyone. ”

“ These loose and general remarks may serve to illustrate the admirable economy of Providence. The truths, which it is important for us to know, are easily comprehended. Those qualities, by the possession of which the great end of our being is to be answered, are within the attainment of every rational creature. By a wonderful law of equality, the difference which appears to exist between different orders of intellect, is scarcely sensible in its effects upon the happiness and virtue of individuals. ”

“ He who thinks to hear her still and small voice amidst the agitations of contending passions, will find himself deaf to its monitions. In our intercourse with the world, and our chase of its glittering phantoms, our interests and desires continually mislead us. We follow their guidance, rather than that of truth; we hurry down the stream of pleasure and business, and make our reason itself the slave of our appetites. ”

“ But the husbandman well knows, that unless he be careful to select seed of the proper kind, and weight and purity, the product, he will reap, will deteriorate in its nature. However good the soil may be, his granary will receive a value proportioned only to his attention to the maxim—Take care what you sow.
But there are SEEDS, whose value is infinitely greater than wheat, or rye, or barley. Give me your ears, ye honest hearts of our rich farms, ye independent men of our beautiful vallies, and let me caution you to take care how you sow! ”

“ To call forth the exertions of the Society its zeal must be excited. But zeal is not to be excited, without a conviction of the importance of the cause in which we are engaged. May I be permitted then, to declare my conviction, that amidst the profusion of Societies with which the present age abounds, there is none more useful, or more dignified, than that for the promotion of Agriculture. Indeed, in point of utility, I might justly say that it precedes all others. Because, even if mankind could exist without Agriculture, yet they could exist only in a savage state, and in small numbers. ”

“ The triumphs of reason, however, have chiefly been in the fields of philosophy, and amidst the stillness of solitude, "in regions mild of calm and serene air." In the ordinary pursuits of life, her voice is drowned amidst the clamour of contending passions; and every successive generation of mankind, has to travel over the same course of inexperience and presumption, of error and misconduct, of remorse and repentance. The triumphs of reason in philosophy endure from age to age, and are not only glorious in themselves, but [Pg 84] the means of acquiring new conquests. ”

“ There can be no discipline, better fitted to humble the pride and silence the vanity of man, than that of the inductive philosophy; for it teaches him that the only disposition of mind, in which he can acquire substantial knowledge, is that of docility to the voice of experience; and that patience and humility are far more valuable and efficient in a philosopher, than the brightest genius. ”

“ Society courts him to the enjoyment of rational and of sensual pleasure. The anticipation of evil finds no place in his imagination. All of friendship is faithful, and love pure as attractive. A short career in the busy round of existence, while it proves the fallacy of some of his crude conceptions, only affords a confirmation of others. If trusted friendship discover its instability, or cherished love its inconstancy, still Fancy promises, in other fountains, the unadulterated source of happiness. He looks not to the mind to supply the vacuum they have left. ”

“ No cause has more retarded the progress of education in the agricultural part of the community than a mistaken opinion, in regard to the use that can be made of it.—That the advantages of learning, in every state of society, should not be appreciated by the grossly ignorant, is not to be wondered at; but that men well informed on many subjects, should fall into the vulgar error of denying the advantages arising from extensive knowledge is really surprising.
We hear it frequently observed by farmers, who have sons to educate, that they intend such a one to follow his own occupation ”

“ To all, therefore, who value the seeds of immortal beauty, let the warning voice of the Plough-Boy of the valley, reach with effect; and the gentle salutation of the morning ray, which visited his own spirit, may not have been sent without an instructive purpose. To all, this lesson is deeply interesting; for the happiness of the long, long ages of eternity, depends upon it. "Whatsoever a man shall sow, that will he reap. If ye sow to the flesh, ye shall reap corruption; but if to the spirit, the life which is eternal." ”

“ Already it is asserted, (I vouch not for the truth of it) that the disease in wheat called the smut, is no other than a parasite plant, which adhering to the seed-wheat, grows with it, and may be destroyed by proper applications, before the seed is sown. Perhaps some fortunate observer may let us into the nature of that scourge of Agriculture, known by the name of the Hessian fly, so that we may get rid of it, as we did of the weevil fly, some forty years ago. Such a man would deserve a statue of gold, and I think the farmers would gladly erect it. ”

“ Scripture, as the rock on which the wise man built, and under the type of a light which has enlightened every man, of a word which is nigh us in our heart and in our mouth. This light may be darkened by superstition, distorted by prejudice, or buried beneath the cumbrous systems of a false philosophy; but can never be totally extinguished. He who would follow its illuminations, and become the votary of truth, must separate himself from these troubled elements of life. ”

“ Our workmen are ingenious, and able to execute any thing which is planned for them; and the genius of our countrymen in the application of the mechanic powers, is conspicuous. The high price of labour, rendered its abridgement of primary importance. What wonderful effects have been produced by Whitney's cotton gin? We are well supplied with implements for breaking the earth, and for cutting all kinds of straw, and cheap machines for shelling Indian corn. But a machine effectual for the threshing of wheat, and not too high-priced, is a desideratum. ”

“ Inhabitants of cities, or men who have been educated for some learned profession, are our teachers in the rules of husbandry. We will suppose these men to be well versed in the sciences above alluded to. But have they ever learned their application to agriculture? If not, as well might they adduce principles on that subject, as a person to attempt solving an abstruse problem in surveying, who has only learned the elements of geometry. When I spoke of an agricultural education, I did not confine my views to the sciences above specified. Practice is an indispensable part of this education. ”

“ Something new is always turning up, and we should be on the alert, to avail ourselves of it.
The Society has heretofore given admonition of the necessity of change in seed-grain. I do not mean merely the change of one grain for another of a different kind, (as wheat for rye, &c.) but a change of seed, where there is no change of kind. Farmers do not seem aware of this necessity, nor of the great advantage of procuring seed of the very best kind, and cleaning it in the most perfect manner. ”

“ Those victories, which she obtains over the passions, are confined to the lives, and written in the experience, of individuals. The truths, which it required the utmost capacity of the human intellect to develope, are now familiar to the apprehension of every school-boy: but human nature continues to be as prone to evil, as selfish and untoward, as if the divine Author of our religion had never walked on earth. ”

“ If the form of government with which we are blessed, is to be durable, it will depend upon the virtue and intelligence of the people. Ignorance and vice cannot sustain a republican system. It becomes, therefore, a duty of the highest order, to spread practical learning over every mind, and cultivate piety in every heart. ”

“ Now it is believed with these extensive acquirements, a farmer will be able to keep his accounts tolerably decent; to estimate the amount of any number of bushels of grain, at a given sum per bushel: but I shall forbear to mention all the advantages which this kind of knowledge may confer. The intelligent farmer well knows it has a boundary, and a very limited one too. To endeavour by force of reason to induce this class of farmers to abandon their errors, would be time spent to little purpose; their minds are not recipient for truths which lie beyond the narrow boundary of their learning. ”

“ I am afraid mischief is done, by putting into the hands of boys, those finished models of Grecian and Roman eloquence, in which are painted, in too vivid colours, the pleasures of wine, and love, and the glory of war. ”

“ In this country gypsum is a great source of wealth, wherever soils are sensible to its effects. It has tended much to equalize the value of lands, by imparting an artificial fertility to those naturally more sterile, and that at a small expense.—But gypsum alone is by no means a sufficient source of dependence as a manure for keeping lands in the improved condition that is necessary for raising the best crops, and of course deriving the greatest profits. The farmer should attend also to making the most of such other manures as come conveniently within his reach. ”

“ But the great class of emigrants, is that of people who have small capitals, and must seek their bread, by the labour of their own hands. To such persons, health is every thing. The languid eye of sickness dwells without pleasure, on the fairest prospects of nature. In vain is the fertile bottom, or the rich prairie, offered to the arm unnerved by disease. It is a no [Pg 106] torious fact, that rich, low, level countries, are subject to fevers. They should therefore be shunned by those who are to live by their own labour. ”

“ The fabric of philosophy is the work of ages, and its dimensions are as capacious as those of nature; but the edifice of moral truth can be perfected in the sphere of action, and during the life of every individual. ”

“ A little kindness and condescension on the part of the proprietor, might convert a discontented trespasser, into a useful tenant or purchaser. That this has happened in many instances, I know; which induces me to think, that were the trial made, it would happen in many more. Where large property of this kind, is in the hands of heads of families with several children, one or two of the sons might manage the estate to great advantage, by living on the spot. Agents are expensive, and often unfaithful. But one may confide in his own blood. ”

“ The domestic circle ought to be regarded as a moral garden, under the especial care of the head of every family. Here he may plant good seed, and this he is bound to protect from all pernicious weeds. Let him therefore frequently examine the premises; he cannot be too assiduous, and vigilant. In this particular department, more is to be accomplished, than many are disposed to admit. And if ever our condition as a people is improved, in the degree to which it is susceptible, it will owe much to judicious family discipline. ”

“ Having touched the subject of education, I will add, that when the benevolent intention of the constitution of Pennsylvania, shall be carried into effect, by "the establishment of schools throughout the state, in such manner, that the poor may be taught gratis," Agriculture will reap her full share of the benefit. Reading, writing, and common arithmetic, if not essential, are very serviceable to the farmer. And even the labourer will derive incalculable advantage from the improvement of his intellectual faculties. ”

“ But where he lives at a distance, the probability is, that the estate will go to ruin, while he receives but a small part of his due. The objections to long leases, for rents in money, are, that if the landlord parts with the possession for a long time, he may be injured by a bad tenant; that he precludes himself from the chance of a sale, if a good price should be offered, and that the great fluctuations in the price of grain, make it impossible to fix a rent in money, without danger to both parties. Where a man has it in view to sell his estate, he may be right, in making a short lease ”

“ Let him not sit down supinely, after having ascertained a rule, for general rules in this science as in most others have their exceptions, and an accurate knowledge of these exceptions will require much time for discernment, and investigation. If agriculture, then, is an art of calling forth all the faculties of the mind, why is it not taught like other arts by a regular and systematic education? ”