BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 345 



upon a basis where it should long remain one of the most act- 

 ive and useful organizations of the §tate. 



A letter received from Rev. R. Camp, Brooklyn (Ct.), gives 

 so just a view of Mr. Dyer's career as an agriculturist, and 

 his wide good influence in Windham County, that it may be 

 properly introduced here. He writes as follows : 



" Dear Sir: — 



" I cannot give you many facts of Mr. H. A. Dyer's 

 Agricultural life. He commenced his farming on Raspberry 

 Hill under most disadvantageous circumstances. The soil was 

 cold, wet, and heavy, the land better paved than many of the 

 streets in the city of New York are represented so to be. But 

 he threw into his calling all the enthusiasm and force of will 

 which afterwards distinguished him. Chemists were then 

 making confident assertions of ability to analyze soils and tell 

 what ingredients were needed to make them produce any 

 given crop. He became a believer and a victim of the the- 

 ory, sinking a small fortune in experiments which taught him 

 wisdom, but brought no other gains, except to others, for he 

 used the wisdom thus gained for the large benefit of tlie 

 . State. With peculiar clearness of discrimination, he perceived 

 that agricultural improvement must depend upon the accum- 

 ulation of well tried facts and their spread. Accordingly, he 

 set himself at work with his usual ardor and application to 

 get together the farmers of the town, and have each one con- 

 tribute such information as he had practically acquired for 

 the benefit of all. In the year 1850, he succeeded in forming 

 a Farmers' Club, which met at regular periods, subjects being 

 given out and disputants appointed, after them, any member 

 speaking who pleased. This proved a very profitable and 

 pleasant association, and led to great changes in individual 

 practices. The town owes a large debt of obligation for his 

 wise and generous services. By his indefatigable exertions, 

 this Club fruited into a County Association, and his foresight- 

 edness secured its permanence by providing for life member- 

 ships. This society did much for the county by stimulating 

 fruit growing and flower culture, and affording facilities for 

 their development. Mr. Dyer gave his time, and mind, and 



