[12] In a letter of the late President Adams, published since the delivery of this Address, he says he remembers that the like depression of commerce, manufactures and real estate, took place after the wars, which ended in 1748, 1763, and 1783.
But, it is in our own power, to increase the value of our lands by an improved state of Agriculture. Much has been done, but much more remains to be done. Though not at the bottom of the hill, we have not yet ascended half its height. It may be encouraging however to stop for a moment, and take a glance at the progress we have made. Before the war of the revolution, little of science was blended with the art of agriculture—things had gone on in their natural course. The counties first settled, now known by the names of Philadelphia, Delaware, Chester, Montgomery, and Bucks, though not rich (except the meadows) were sufficient to yield good crops at first, and tolerable ones for a number of years. But the soil near the surface, composed of vegetable substances accumulated during the lapse of ages, became at length exhausted by repeated tillage without refreshment. Red clover was introduced before the war, but it was produced in small quantities, and almost solely for the purpose of hay. The system of melioration by a rotation of crops, in which grass took its turn, was not understood. Natural meadow was in great demand, and not much hay being produced on the uplands, it was impossible to support during winter, a stock sufficiently large to amass a great quantity of manure. Consequently the crops of grain, and particularly of wheat were much diminished. Indeed, the wheat crops were trifling. Gypsum had been imported, in small quantities before the revolution; but it was very little used, and very little talked of; and that little not to its credit, for an old proverb, said to come from Germany, was brought up against it, "that gypsum made rich fathers, but poor sons." Notwithstanding this prejudice, it was brought into general use, some years after the war, by the persevering efforts of a few, and principally of the President of this Society, to whom future generations will render thanks for this important service. Through the efficacy of this fossil, the face of the country experienced a magic change. The uplands were clothed with rich herbage, to which succeeded plenteous crops of grain. I have not been able to trace with certainty, the progress of the cultivation of clover aided by gypsum, but I believe, that Philadelphia was the centre, from which it spread in all directions. In Chester county, so great were its effects, that (as I heard it proved in the trial of a cause at West Chester,) the price of lands was doubled in a few years. Nor is there any reason to suppose that it was less beneficial in other places.
But as the excess of even a good thing may be pernicious, so may it be with gypsum. That it promotes the growth of many vegetables, and of clover in particular, is certain; though its mode of operation does not seem to be clearly understood. An increased quantity of grass, will support an increased quantity of stock, from which will proceed an increased quantity of manure, and that should be considered as the great end of gypsum. Not that great advantages may not be derived from ploughing in the green clover. But if that is relied on, as the only mode of meliorating the soil, (and in some publications which I have seen, it is asserted to be quite sufficient) we shall probably be disappointed. In Sir John Sinclair's Code of Agriculture, it is said that the practice of ploughing in green vegetables, as a manure, has been tried, in England, and found not to answer; and that more benefit is derived from those crops, when they are consumed by stock, and converted into dung; and Col. John Taylor, (of Caroline county, Virginia) to whose valuable labours the world is so much indebted, is also of opinion, that we ought not to rely on green vegetables only. In the first edition of his Arator, he seemed to think, that nothing more was necessary than clover, but in the second edition, he acknowledged his error, which had been demonstrated by the result of two crops of Indian corn. In 80 acres of land, improved by turning in the grass, without other manure, the crop averaged 25 bushels an acre. But in 200 acres, where the clover was turned in and the ground also manured, the average was 50 bushels. It is probable, indeed, that the ploughing in of clover, may have a greater effect in many parts of the United States, than in England. For, that large crops of grain have been produced by it, is so strongly attested, that it must not be denied. This may be owing to the Superior efficacy of the gypsum, which, no doubt, acts more powerfully here, than generally in England, and therefore produces a greater quantity of clover. But, as it is certain, that the manure of dung, incorporated with putrefied vegetable matter, is more efficacious than simple green vegetables; what I intend, is to exhort our farmers not to trust to the latter alone, nor relax their efforts to collect the former in as great quantities as possible.
Another important circumstance is to be attended to. We are not to expect, that land will continue to produce luxuriant crops of clover, for ever, even when aided by gypsum.—It would be contrary to the order of nature; which delights in change. Our second crop of clover, has, for many years, been of little value, though the cause remains unexplained. A gentleman of veracity, who lives on the Delaware, between eight or ten miles above the city, assured me, that gypsum, which had done wonders for a long time, had at length ceased to have any effect on his land; and that the same was the case of some of his neighbours. I am informed also, that the same remark has been made by farmers in Montgomery county. Now it is not to be supposed, that the gypsum has changed its nature, or lost its virtue.—But the earth, being exhausted of those particles which are favourable to the growth of clover, no longer offers to the gypsum the same matter to act upon. That the matter, necessary for the formation of a particular plant, may be exhausted, while the same earth suffices for the vigorous production of other plants, is proved by daily experience; and is an accordance with the best theory.
In a late English publication, there is an offer of a considerable premium to the person who shall discover a grass which shall be a good substitute for clover, it being understood that clover no longer grew as formerly; and of another premium to the person who shall discover the means of restoring lands, which once bore clover, to a capacity of producing it again. It would, therefore, be wise in us, to look out in time, for some grass, to take the place of clover, when it shall be found no longer to succeed. In the mean time, we may avail ourselves (and it may perhaps be a very long time) of the united efficacy of gypsum and clover.
I said that we had much to do before we attained that degree of perfection which was practicable in agriculture. I presume, that our lands, in their natural state, were full as good as those of England. In England, the average crops of grain of all kinds, on 8,000,000 of acres, are estimated at twenty-four bushels the acre. I take this estimate from Sir John Sinclair, who says, moreover, that in "fertile districts and propitious seasons, from thirty-two to forty bushels of wheat an acre, may be confidently expected; from forty-two to fifty of barley, from fifty-two to sixty-four of oats, and from twenty-eight to thirty-two of beans." The best county in Pennsylvania, is supposed to be Lancaster. The matter cannot be spoken of with any kind of certainty; but, from the best information I have been able to collect, I should doubt whether the wheat crops of the whole county of Lancaster, averaged more than fifteen bushels an acre, though many individual farmers get from twenty to thirty; and some from thirty to forty. But, when we compare the agriculture of two countries, we must take it in large masses. Penn's Valley, in Pennsylvania, is supposed to yield crops of wheat, averaging at least twenty bushels an acre; but that is owing to something peculiar in the climate; for the crops do not ripen in less than two weeks later than in most other parts of the state. The soil in Penn's valley, is limestone, and the water lies very deep.
There is no doubt, however, that the agriculture of Pennsylvania is steadily improving, and is at present actually improved as highly as that of any state in the union. In buildings for agricultural purposes (perhaps too expensive) she is unrivalled; so that without being over sanguine, we may promise ourselves an annual increase of the value of our lands. How this progress may be quickened, is a question which this Society should keep constantly in view.—To devise the means of acceleration, should be their study.—To the first great step towards general improvement, the organization of societies in every part of the state, we have one what was in our power, by petitioning the legislature to take the subject into consideration, and aid the undertaking with necessary funds. Nor is there any reason to doubt of success; for the legislature is always liberal when the general interest demands it. The institution of county societies, with the distribution of premiums, will be a powerful stimulus to the dormant faculties of thousands. The Eastern States, including New York, have already made the experiment with success; and I honour them for the example. Our Society, being situated in the capital, has the best means of correspondence; so that we can reciprocate information on agricultural subjects, with the different societies throughout this, and other states, and with countries beyond the sea. Hence will be collected a stock of knowledge, which being condensed, and methodized, may be offered to the public with great advantage.
A pattern farm is an object we have long had at heart, and it is not to be relinquished. But the time is not come, for carrying our wishes into effect. At present, we have not sufficient funds; and to incur a debt, in our corporate capacity, without the means of payment, would justly dishonour us. But the want of a pattern farm may be in some measure supplied, by the exertions of members of the society, who possess farms within a few miles of the city. Some of them are blessed with ample means, as well as inclination, to give a fair trial to every improvement which can be rationally suggested, either in instruments of husbandry, the application of manures, or the cultivation of new plants, grains, or grasses.
We may render ourselves useful, by collecting and diffusing the information contained in books recently published in Europe or America. In Europe the principal nobility and gentry are paying due honours to Agriculture. Chemistry has been called to her aid, from which important discoveries must result. Earths, minerals, and manures of all kinds are analysed. Philosophy is in the right path. Facts are first ascertained, and then accounted for. The increased power of magnifying glasses, lays open the hidden parts of plants, and minute animals. Hence may be discovered the causes, and consequently the cure, of many disorders by which plants are infested. 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.
Another point of duty, to which we have not been wanting, is the importation of such foreign grains, grasses, and plants, as are suitable to our climate. Of all the grains which now grow in the middle states, I recollect none, but maize, (Indian corn) which is native. Perhaps we have not yet collected all which might be profitably cultivated; and even if we have, a change of seed is of great importance. What wealth has flowed into the southern states, from cotton, which, thirty years ago, was scarce known there! Something new is always turning up, and we should be on the alert, to avail ourselves of it.