INTRODUCTION.

WHILE the great WASHINGTON lived, it was thought, that without his name and his support, no object of national importance could be safely undertaken. Nor was this confidence confined to matters of a public nature. In all kinds of business he was able, and was often called upon to give advice, even in cases where he must have judged, not from experience, but observation. That his opinion should deserve much more deference in those matters which belong to his peculiar sphere, no one will question.

It is as a soldier, and as a statesman, that we are most familiar with him. On questions of war and politics, none in the main, appeal from his decisions. Why should not the peaceful tillers of the soil place as great dependence in the first agriculturist of his day? Agriculture was WASHINGTON's study and delight. In the cultivated field his practice was as excellent as his tactics skilful on the field of battle, his maxims of husbandry as wise as his political precepts. So important did he consider the position of the American Farmer, both to the wealth and prosperity of the nation, that he himself, setting the prime example, devoted all his leisure time either to the culture of his farms in person, overseeing and directing all things with his own eye, or in conducting an extensive correspondence on the subject with some of the most experienced men in Europe.

The "LETTERS TO ARTHUR YOUNG AND SIR JOHN SINCLAIR," cannot therefore be too highly prized, presenting as they do the opinions of one so practical and scientific;

and as coming from WASHINGTON, exclusively of their internal merit, are worthy of the highest regard of every American citizen.

Every one who reads these letters, will perceive that the illustrious Farmer of Mount Vernon was not only in advance of his day in regard to the agriculture of this country, but in advance of the present day; for it may well be doubted whether any farmer in the United States now conducts his operations with such perfect system. He determined with mathematical certainty years before hand, just what rotations in his crops he would make; and laid out his plans so accurately, that he never found it necessary to change them, unless for the purpose of making some experiment. Theory and practice went hand in hand, and he proved how true it is in agriculture, as in every other occupation, that "science crowns her votaries." He regarded this as the most noble, and the most ennobling of all employments.

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That time is past, when to serfs and slaves alone was committed the production of the fruits of the earth, and when to do such work constituted man a menial. That falsehood, with numberless like errors, is fast vanishing away in the night of the dark ages. Here at least, in this new world, the American Farmer look up, and fear not glorying in his occupation. He feels himself one of a class which is a pillar, and an honored pillar too, of the nation. Here, under the temple of freedom, he may lift his embrowned hands toward heaven, and thank GOD for the blessings of liberty secured, toil ennobled; and for WASHINGTON, under GOD, the ensurer of all these privileges, and FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY.

Washington was also in advance of his times in relation to the establishment of a National Board of Agriculture. With his far reaching mind, he conceived of the great advantages which must grow out of such an institution. Prompted in this, as he was in every thing, by the purest patriotism, he urged the subject on the attention of Congress from year to year; and in his last message, 5th of December, 1796, presents it to their consideration in the following manner:

"It will not be doubted, that, with reference either to individual or national welfare, agriculture is of primary importance. In proportion as nations advance in population and other circumstances of maturity, this truth becomes more apparent and renders the cultivation of the soil more and more an object of public patronage. Institutions for promoting it grow up, supported by the public purse; and to what object can it be dedicated with greater propriety? Among the means which have been employed to this end, none have been attended with greater success than the establishment of BOARDS, composed of proper characters, charged with collecting and diffusing information, and enabled by premiums, and small pecuniary aid, to encourage and assist a spirit of discovery and improvement. This species of establishment contributes doubly to the increase of improvement, by stimulating to enterprise and experiment, and by drawing to a common centre, the results every where of individual skill and observation, and spreading them thence over the whole nation. Experience, accordingly, has shown that they are very cheap instruments of immense national benefits."

In this country agriculture has been, and must ever continue to be, the chief pursuit of the great body of our citizens. Before no other people, perhaps, has Providence spread out such an extent of varied, well watered, and fertile lands, reaching from the cold and severe climate of Canada, to the sunny plains of Texas, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean; large portions of it, as yet, untouched by the implements of agricultural industry. Large and navigable rivers flow in various directions through these immense regions, affording a ready passage for the productions of the earth to our great commercial cities, where they can be distributed among the various markets of the world.

Since then all other pursuits derive their life and energy from Agriculture, and our inducements and advantages for the cultivation of the soil are so numerous and great, whatever may contribute to the skill, success and elevation of those who may engage in it, must be deeply interesting to all classes of our citizens, and to every section of the country.

The Father of his country has left upon record, that agriculture had ever been his favourite pursuit. And in one of his most interesting letters to Sir John Sinclair, he observes, "I know of no pursuit in which more real and important service can be rendered to any country, than by improving its agriculture, its breed of useful animals, and other branches of an husbandman's cares;"—and it is well known that at all times, when not occupied by public duties, and especially after he retired from the service of his country, he engaged zealously in the culture and improvement of his own farm, and availed himself of all means and sources of information that might contribute to his success. He saw not only that commerce and manufactures, and all the varied forms of mechanical effort were sustained by agriculture; that without its aid and resources all other activities and operations must quickly cease; but that this was the main foundation of the wealth of States, and especially that it must be so of our Republic; and that, as Liebig remarks, a rational system of agriculture must rest on scientific principles; although, in the time of WASHINGTON these principles were but very imperfectly developed. Chemistry, geology, mineralogy, and botany, are all in close relation to agriculture; and the great work of Liebig on the application of the first of these sciences to the discovery of the nature and properties of soils, vegetables and manures, and their adaptation to each other, has already done much, and will do far more to enlighten, advance, and reward agricultural industry.

But agriculture is not less an art than a science; and though in this respect nearly as much neglected as in the latter, yet a new spirit has been excited, and through the publications of many intelligent Farmers, and the statements of their varied and valuable experiments, and the efforts and influence of agricultural societies, we may anticipate rapid improvements in all the methods and operations of husbandry.

Let the Farmer be well informed, let him realize the importance and dignity of his vocation, and he will see that his interests, no less than his reputation, are concerned in the skilful management and application of all his materials and

instrumentalities to the end for which they are designed. His tools, cattle, fences, barns, and every thing pertaining to his farm, will exhibit skill, care, judgment and good taste; and all the movements and adjustments indicate the presence of a well ordered, enlightened, and well disciplined mind.

Among the many errors of the day, there are few greater, or more pernicious, than that of imagining agriculture a pursuit which may be prosecuted successfully with little or no education. It certainly demands an education far more varied and extensive, than that of any other profession or pursuit; and recent discoveries seem to indicate that even those who have devoted to it most intensely and exclusively their attention, are as yet but acquainted with the rudiments of agricultural knowledge. It is then highly important that our youth should be educated for the profession of agriculture, that they should not only study the theory, but see practically exhibited the best systems of agriculture, and horticulture, which is its adorning.

For this purpose seminaries must be established, where instruction in practical agriculture shall be combined with science and literature, imparting a charm to labor performed in demonstration of theory.

But, perhaps, our chief reliance for immediate improvement must be upon societies formed in the several towns and counties throughout the Union; upon the diffusion of well prepared publications, and upon the efforts of individuals, producing by their writings and example, a general sentiment which shall give to this employment that high place among the pursuits of human life, which it so eminently merits and demands.

The moral effects of the peaceful and quiet pursuits of agriculture are not among its least recommendations. It has been in the retirement of the country, in communion with nature and nature's GOD, admonished by the influence of the seasons, and other causes which human wisdom could neither foresee nor control, of