Part II:

Timeless Treasures from George Washington
Prepared by

Andrew M. Allison, Jay A. Parry, and W. Cleon Skousen

The Real George Washington,

The Real George Washington, p.824

WASHINGTON (George), Enjoyed Farming.—A few months more will put an end to my political existence and place me in the shades of Mount Vernon under my vine and fig tree....It is true (as you have heard) that to be a cultivator of land has been my [p.825] favorite amusement; but it is equally true that I have made very little proficiency in acquiring knowledge either in the principles or practice of husbandry. My employments through life have been so diversified, my absences from home have been so frequent and so long at a time, as to have prevented me from bestowing the attention and from making the experiments which are necessary to establish facts in the science of agriculture. And now, though I may amuse myself in that way for the short time I may remain on this theater, it is too late in the day for me to commence a scientific course of experiments.—To Landon Carter. Fitzpatrick 35:246. (1796.)

The Real George Washington, p.825

At no period have I been more closely employed than within the three months I have been at home, in repairing the ravages which an eight years' absence (except occasional short visits which were inadequate to investigation) have produced on my farms, buildings, and everything around them....At the age of sixty-five I am recommencing my agricultural pursuits and rural amusements, which at all times have been the most pleasing occupation of my life, and most congenial with my temper, notwithstanding a small proportion of it has been spent in this way.—To the Earl of Buchan. Fitzpatrick 35:487. (1797.)