т. з.
RALK1GU,
К.
C., OCTOBER, 1854.
КО.
ГОНЯ
F. TOMPKINS, M,
В.,
Editor.
Wm. D. COOKE & Co., Proprietor».
ЗШшПшш.
Рог.
I he Farmer’s Journal
4 THREE DAYS IN EDGECOHIBIJ.
nr
КОМ
U N11 BUFFI N.
From minor and uncertain and loose verbal
eporfs, 1 bad learned dial agricultural improve-
nelit.kad been making great and remarkable
'«ogress in Edgecombe county. What I knew
enerafly of the character of the soils of the
iue region, and of the gieat agent fur their im-
rovoment, mail, elsewhere, aud which was
Jo r ted to have been the prime fertilizer in
gocoinbe, made mo desirous of visiting that
Ainty, and becoming personally acquainted
sth some of the best improved farms and their
roprietore. This wish was made the stronger,
■At tbs accomplishment not at all forwarded, by
у
having received from the Agricultural Soei-
y of that eounty, some eighteen months sgo,
t invitation to deliver an address at its then
*xt annual meeting. While highly appreciate
g that compliment, I was under the necessity
declining the honorable service required. My
gagements then forbade my undertaking the
iL And even if free to act, I have never ca¬
nned a9 of much value the instruction and ben-
t to be Conveyed in formal addresses to Agri-
itarai Societies. The occasion, and the mixed
eta! Uge, both would render it improper to
treat, for instruction, of matters of farming prac¬
tice. Hence, the speaker on such occasions id
almost compelled to fall into the tar more easy
and customary way, of uttering a mere decla¬
mation ou agricultuie, which in most cases is
such as may bo truly termed “an essay on agri¬
cultural things in general, and of nothing in' par**
ticular ” and is of no practical u>e whatever. —
It is not so much the . fault of the writers or
speakers of such addi esses, ns it is of the occa¬
sion, that such formal addresses serve to instruct
in agricultural knowledge, r.s little as do Fourth
of July speeches in states maush ip, or in the
science of government.
It was but very recently, (in August, 1854,)
that circumstances permitted my visiting Edge¬
combe— when returning to Virginia, from a vis¬
it to the upper part of North Carolina. After
forming the intention, there was but a few days’
time to notify John S. Dancy, Esq. of my com¬
ing. With this gentleman only,
Г
had had
some correspondence, ns the former president ©f
the Edgecombe Agrieultuial Society. I had
never seen any resident, and seen no move of the
county, than was afforded by the passage on the
Wilmington railroad through its borders, aud
which is generally along a ridge of its poorer
laud.
When reaching the Tioekv Mount station, I
bad counted on taking the mail-coach to Tarbo*
rough ; but I found Mr. Dancy and his carriago