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. Or if they are aware, they are deterred from paying attention to it, by a little trouble and a little expense. It would be well to keep the subject before their eyes, until a conviction of its importance shall produce an alteration of practice.
The importation of foreign animals is not to be neglected. It is not the business of this Society, nor have they the means of importing them;—but they may point them out. We have, in Pennsylvania, good horses; but in the best breeds of cattle, hogs and sheep, we are defective. I know that some enterprising gentlemen in the city have gone to great expense in importing cattle, and others are in possession of excellent breeds of hogs, but they are not yet diffused through the state. It is understood, that in the Eastern States, no pains or expense have been spared, in procuring animals of the finest shape and quality. But it may be some time, before they have a surplus for exportation.
We are well situated for obtaining models of all newly invented implements of husbandry. 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. The machine for dressing flax, of British invention, is said to be a very great improvement, but is not yet much in use among us.
Roads, bridges, canals, and all internal public improvements, are subjects, which though not within our control, have such an immediate bearing on Agriculture, by expediting and cheapening carriage, that it will be always proper to do what little is in our power, for their success. Works of such magnitude are not to be executed, without the combined exertions of many persons, sanctioned by the authority of the legislature, and assisted by the public purse. Our legislature has done nobly for roads and bridges, and we trust it will do the same for canals. The first great object of that kind, is the junction of the waters of the Susquehanna and the Schuylkill, which empties into the Delaware. That being accomplished, we may look westward to the waters of the Alleghany, and northward to the Seneca lake, which being once entered, and entered it may be with no great difficulty, we have the Delaware connected with the great northern lakes, by means of the magnificent work now in rapid progress, in the state of New York. The project is grand;—I may not live to see it executed, yet it is by no means so improbable as many things once appeared, which in my time have been accomplished.
Yet, it must be confessed, that in canals, we linger behind other states, who have boldly led the way. Except the works now carrying on, for the improvement of the navigation on the Schuylkill and the Lehigh, we have nothing to show but the Conewago canal of a single mile, which will be of little use, unless the Susquehanna and Delaware are united. Our tardiness may be accounted for. Five and twenty years ago, when the Conewago canal was begun, public spirit mounted perhaps too high. Great efforts were made, which, from causes not necessary now to mention, proved abortive.—Hence, a despondence on the subject of canals, from which we have scarce yet recovered. But it is high time to rouse ourselves. On the one side we have New York making great and successful exertions; on the other, Maryland, endeavouring to avail herself of the road, made at the expense of the United States, from Cumberland, on the Potowmac, to Wheeling, on the Ohio; on which wagons travel free from toll. But, if we can have water carriage from Philadelphia to Susquehanna, we shall be on a better footing than Baltimore; and preserve our wagon carriage to Pittsburg until the Susquehanna shall be joined to the Alleghany. This wagon carriage is of immense importance. It has been supposed, that between Philadelphia and Pittsburg, the yearly sum paid for carriage, amounted to 730,000 dollars. Nor is this the only consideration. A very great sum is expended all along the line of the turnpike road, which is diffused through the country to a considerable distance. A six horse wagon consumes five bushels of oats a day, besides hay. Now, it appears from an official return, made by the keeper of the turnpike gate, at the Chesnut Ridge, between Stoys Town, and Greensburg, that there passed through that gate, during the year ending May, 1818; among other things, 281 four-horse, 2412 five-horse, and 2698 six-horse teams; and it is said, that a gentleman, living on the road near Pittsburg, in the year 1813, counted the number of wagons, laden with merchandize, which passed his house that year, and that they amounted to 4055. Through the counties of Bedford and Somerset, the road, being generally on ridges, runs through a poor country, to which the market afforded by the wagons, is essential. Somerset abounds in grass; and for oats is superior to any county in the state.—But the soil is not favourable to wheat; and, except in the southern part, Indian corn will scarce arrive at maturity. It appears, clearly, therefore, that the Agriculture of Pennsylvania is very much interested, even in parts far west of the Susquehanna, in a water communication between that river and the Delaware, as the most effectual means of preserving the land carriage to Pittsburg. Another weighty consideration is, the protection which ought to be afforded to Pittsburg, against the effect of the United States' turnpike from Cumberland to Wheeling. Pittsburg ought to be to the western part of the state, what Philadelphia is to the eastern: the reservoir of wealth sufficient to afford a market to the surrounding country. There is no rivalship between these cities. The prosperity of one promotes the prosperity of the other. Why then should we hesitate? New York has completed 120 miles of canal in less than two years and five months. By a line of less than half that length, the Delaware and Susquehanna are united.
Pennsylvania has been accused of want of attention to gardening, and I am afraid she must plead guilty to the charge. A good kitchen garden contributes much to the health, and even the elegance of life; the saving of meat makes it a source of economy, and the neatness which is necessary to keep it in order, may have an effect on the manners of the family. The females might execute a good deal of the work, and for their sake it should be interspersed with flowers. I believe my feelings are not at all singular, and I declare that I am struck with a sensation of pleasure, at the sight of a flourishing, well enclosed garden. May I be allowed to add, that I have the same feelings, at sight of a neat inclosure in front of the dwelling house, separating it from the highway. With surprise and regret, I perceive this often neglected, by wealthy and liberal farmers, merely because they have been in the habit of living without it. Such things might be remedied at a very trifling expense, but they are of no trifling consequence. They have an influence on manners.
I say nothing on the subject of hedges, their importance, and the best mode of raising them have been fully shown by one of our Vice Presidents, on a former occasion.
The limits of this discourse confine me to hints, on subjects which merit treatises. May not means be taken to tincture the youthful mind, with the spirit of Agriculture? In colleges, natural philosophy and chemistry might sometimes be directed to that special purpose. But something may be done at an earlier age; particularly where opportunities are offered, in teaching the learned languages, which being acquired slowly and with difficulty, leave lasting impressions; for instance, besides the Georgics of Virgil, which are in general use, select passages might be read from Columella, one of the most ancient writers on rural affairs, which have reached us, in the Latin tongue. 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.
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. Work cannot be continued without intermission, and time hangs heavy on the mind which is torpid during the hours of repose. Exercise is as necessary to the mind as the body. How desirable then, that men should be qualified for that kind of reading, which gratifies and strengthens the mind, without the fatigue of severe study, while the body is at rest during the intervals of labour? Our legislature is not unmindful of the duty imposed by the constitution—the act "to provide for the education of children at the public expense within the city and county of Philadelphia," is working great good. By the first annual report of the controllers of these schools, made in February last, it appears that 2845 children were then in a course of education; and I am informed that the number is now much increased. Moreover, a most important fact is established—that by adopting the Lancasterian mode of teaching, which will do in all thickly settled districts, the annual expense will not exceed four dollars for each child. Upon efforts like these the blessing of God may be confidently hoped for.
Nothing can be more effectual for the diffusion of the spirit of Christianity, than a moderate cultivation of the understanding. Men will thus become more mild, better content with the condition in which Providence has placed them, more attentive to their duties both moral and religious, more charitable towards each other, less jealous and vindictive in their feelings towards foreign nations, less prone to rapine, under whatever name disguised, and less easily dazzled by the false splendour of war.