Edwardsville Spectator

COMMUNICATION.

TO THE FARMERS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

I address you on a subject of the first importance to the prosperity of the state, and in which you are particularly interested. The peculiar situation of this country, differing so essentially from all the new countries situated to the east of it, whilst it affords the greatest facilities to settlements, requires a certain change in the habits of the settler, which few for some time understand, or can adapt themselves to. Instead of the labor of clearing off the forest, as in other new countries, we here find farms prepared for cultivation. There is no need for the grubbing hoe, the ax, or the coulter, to prepare the soil-the bar share plough alone does the work.

Most of us having emigrated from states abounding in forests, where we have from our infancy been accustomed to wage a war of extermination against them, the force of habit in general is so strong that we cannot at once lay it aside when we come here; and thus it is, that we often see an excellent farm essentially injured by the destruction of its timber, before its owner is well aware of the change of his situation. Many of us, too, having removed so far, we have found it impossible to bring along with us the most valuable breeds of domestic animals, and the most approved farming and garden seeds, and fruit trees.

We have, scattered through our population, which is made up of persons from all the states of the union, and from many of the nations of Europe, individuals who have considerable information on the subject of agriculture, which they have acquired from long experience in this country, or have brought with them from countries in which it is better understood than in this. To collect this information, and to publish it, for the good of all, would certainly be highly beneficial. This can be best done by forming an Agricultural Society. The objects of such a society would be numerous. It would collect all the information the individual members possessed, as well as that derived from a correspondence with other agricultural societies: and at its stated meetings have it published for general information. It would bring together the farmers of the state; make them personally acquainted with each other: and excite a laudable spirit of emulation and inquiry. It would collect and distribute the most valuable farming and garden seeds, and fruit trees; encourage and facilitate the introduction of the best breeds of domestic animals, by premiums, and by importation from abroad, as soon as the society obtained the necessary funds. It would procure models of the best and most approved agricultural implements, and assist the farmer to get them at the lowest price at which they can be furnished. Point out the simplest and best modes of ploughing and bringing into cultivation the prairie lands, as well as the most economical enclosures, and the most comfortable cheap houses, where both timber and stone are difficult to be procured. To encourage and assist the increase of domestic manufactures, on the success of which the prosperity of the western country so essentially depends, would be a prominent object with such a society.

And in a country so level as ours, and where good mill-seats are so scarce, and where the damming up the streams is so injurious to the health of the inhabitants, it would be a fit subject for the society to inquire whether it would not be advantageous to substitute, to a great degree, steam, wind, or animal power, in place of water, to propel our mills. The society would also become the depository for every thing connected with the natural history of the state; collecting specimens of every thing curious or valuable, and would assist in discovering and analyzing the mineral productions, with which the country in many places abounds.

Believing that a society well conducted, with these objects in view, would be of great general and individual utility, I invite the farmers of Illinois to meet at Kaskaskia, on Wednesday the 10th of November next, to establish an Agricultural Society for the state of Illinois; to form a constitution for its government; to elect its officers, and to put the society into immediate operation.

A Farmer of Madison County.
Oct. 8, 1819.