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be more thoroughly examined by those interested. Heretofore 

 there was not the inducement for farmers to study the subject 

 as now, from the fact, that the lands were so rich and produc- 

 tive that a large crop could be realized every year by going 

 through a certain routine of work, without paying but very 

 little attention to the seed or preparation of the soil. And 

 in addition to this there has been a prejudice in the minds of 

 the farmers to anything like book farming. They think that 

 they are taught by experience that it is better to stick to the 

 old land marks, and that nine-tenths of all experiments in 

 our branch of industry better suits for periodicals and com- 

 mon talk than for profit. It is true however, that improve- 

 ments of real practical value are not of every day occur- 

 rence, but are rare, and ought when they are sought out to 

 be treasured up and be extensively circulated among the 

 farming community. 



There are many important items which we would like 

 to lay before this board, but being disappointed of the means 

 of information, by John Dumont not being at home, who, I 

 conceived to be most capable of giving a concise report of 

 the cultivation of the grape vine in Switzerland county, 

 which we will report at an early day and lay it before this 

 board. 



Respectfully submitted : 



JOHN HALL, 

 President of Ohio ^ Switzerland Co. Ag. So. 



