No. 106.] 39 



cation of science to the cultivation of the soil should not be delayed, 

 and it is too late in the day to deny its value to agriculture. 



Our own State is one of the best agricultural districts in the Union. 

 Her resources have not been developed, as they can be by systematic 

 and enlightened agriculture. The statistical returns of the late cen- 

 sus show that the average yield of the various crops grown is very 

 far below what it should be. 



The average yield of wheat per acre, is only fourteen bushels. In 

 the best wheat growing county in the State, the average is only nine- 

 teen and a half bushels. Of corn the average is only twenty-five 

 bushels per acre ; oats twenty-six, rye nine and a half, potatoes 

 ninety bushels. 



In view of facts like these, are we not called upon to make renew- 

 ed efforts to bring up our farmers to such a system of cultivation as 

 •will increase the products of their farms in every particular 1 It 

 seems to me that the mere statement of these facts must force con- 

 viction upon every mind, that much remains to be done, and that we 

 need the aid of science to enable us rightly to prepare our soils, in 

 order that we may secure the greatest yield which our land is capa- 

 ble of producing. 



Let it then be impressed upon every cultivator of the soil, that it 

 is his duty to give up preconceived notions, and be ready and willing 

 to submit his views and practices to the test of experiment. Let him, 

 by careful and judicious examination, ascertain wherein his system 

 is defective, and how improvement may be secured. The returns to 

 which I have referred, are most conclusive as to the great deficiency 

 of our present system of agriculture. 



I would urge, therefore, upon the members of this society to exert 

 themselves to impress upon the farmer, the importance of giving im- 

 mediate attention to this matter. Urge them not to reject new 

 methods, merely because they conflict with previously formed habits 

 or opinions. There is abundant room for improvement, and it is the 

 part of wisdom to be ever ready to make advances, and to follow out 

 that practice, which has proved advantageous and useful. 



Many of our farmers seem contented with things as they are. In 

 every other department known, there is not only an onward progress, 

 but untiring efforts are made to derive advantage from every new 

 discovery that promises usefulness. We should ever keep in view 

 that we live in a day when the watchword on every hand is onward; 



