Thomas Jefferson on Gardening

From:
http://www.aipnews.com/talk/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=14188&posts=1

Thomas Jefferson was a very prolific planter and gardener (in addition to his many other talents.) In 1776, he drafted The Declaration of Independence of the United States. He was President of the U.S. from 1801-1809. In 1803, the Louisianna Purchase was concluded and The Lewis and Clark Expedition was launched under his stewardship.

An ardent planter and an agricultural expert, Jefferson grew hundreds of varieties of vegetables, flowers, herbs and trees at Monticello.

I found Jefferson's gardening quotes very interesting and thought I would share them with you. Below is a small collection of his quotes relating to agriculture.

1817 May 10. "The pamphlet you were so kind as to send me manifests a zeal, which cannot be too much praised, for the interests of agriculture, the employment of our first parents in Eden, the happiest we can follow, and the most important to our country." (TJ to William Johnson, GB572)

1795 Apr. 29. "It [agriculture] is at the same time the most tranquil, healthy, and independent [occupation]." (TJ to J. N. Démeunier, Writings.1028)

1785 Aug. 23. "Cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens. They are the most vigorous, the most independant, the most virtuous, and they are tied to their country and wedded to it's liberty and interests by the most lasting bands." (TJ to John Jay, B.8.426)

c. 1781. "Those who labour in the earth are the chosen people of God, if ever he had a chosen people, whose breasts he has made his peculiar deposit for substantial and genuine virtue. It is the focus in which he keeps alive that sacred fire, which otherwise might escape from the face of the earth."

"Cultivators of the earth are the most virtuous and independant citizens." (Notes on the State of Virginia, Writings.290, 301)