212 BO.^D OF AGRICULTURE. 



part, after the crops for 1862 had been safely garnered, and the 

 men came, in large proportion, from the food producing ranks. 

 We are getting to be short handed. Experience teaches us also 

 that a series of abundant seasons is usually followed by a succes- 

 sioh of more scanty ones. 



While we would trust, with undoubting confidence, that the Great 

 Euler of Nations will do all things well, and will crown the right 

 with victory, it behooves us to strain every nerve and muscle, to 

 put forth every energy and faculty to secure the end desired. We, 

 who go not to the battle field, must do our utmost to support those 

 who do, as well as those who must always be cared for at home. 



There is a demand upon us to lay our plans for the coming season 

 wisely and well, so that every hour of the time, and all the means at 

 command, be employed to the best advantage. There is need of the 

 acquisition and diffusion of knowledge, and the great extension of 

 improved practice. There is need of the utmost economy in saving, 

 and skill in applying the manures of the farm yard, and need to 

 draw upon all other sources of fertilization within our reach. There 

 is a louder call than ever for the employment of improved imple- 

 ments and farm machinery, for every contrivance begotten of the 

 necessity and ingenuity of man, by which the powers of nature or 

 the force of brutes may supply the lack of human labor. There is 

 need of brains as well as muscles, of knowledge as well as force. 

 There is need that no unprofitable beast be allowed to consume the 

 forage which ought to yield a valuable return. 



In a word, there is greater need than ever before, of all those 

 things and just those things, the attainment of which has been the 

 constant object of all the efforts made in behalf of agricultui'e, 

 whether by Farmers' Clubs, by Agricultural Societies, by the Board 

 of Agriculture, or by any other means. 



To whatever extent the efforts of past years have been successful, 

 to the same extent we shall now reap a more abundant reward. 

 That this is very great, was clearly shown by the report made to 

 the Board last winter, (see page 37.) Sj;atistics show, that while 

 from 1850 to 1860 the population of the State increased less than 

 eight per cent., thp cultivated acres increased thirty per cent.; and 

 that this greater brcadtli was accompanied with better culture also, 

 is shown by the greater increased" value of farms, which was no 

 less than forty-three per cent. Increase of value in farm imple- 

 ments and machinery also fully kept pace, being forty-four per cent.; 



