466 [Senate 



ly acquainted with the affairs of the Institute now grown to be 

 very multifarious, embracing a vast variety of details ; and they can 

 from time to time before the meetings of the Institute, managers, 

 committees, &c., give such explanations as conduce to uniformity 

 of action, and consistency in the general measures of its adminis- 

 tration. 



The Farmers' Club of the Institute has met semi-monthly through 

 the year — ^besides holding frequent adjourned meetings. They have 

 been well attended and great spirit manifested — abstracts of the pro- 

 ceedings have been published, and extensively circulated. Farmers 

 who have attended, have frequently expressed their gratification,in the 

 most enthusiastic terms. When a subject has been under considera- 

 tion, some accurate observing farmer brings the experience of a 

 whole life to bear upon it — others follow, and a variety of experi- 

 ments made under various circumstances applying to the same sub- 

 ject, with particulars of their' success or failure are related, which, 

 with the scientific explanations — causes and effects — are made known 

 to the perfect satisfaction of those with whom all was mystery be- 

 fore. The freedom of questions and answers enables those who de- 

 sire to arrive at the exact point of information sought, and thus 

 avoid the sacrifices of fruitless experiments, the dread of which 

 has induced thousands to persevere in the old routine of their 

 fathers. 



Thus improvements in farming have been comparatively stationary, 

 while the mechanic arts have progressed far beyond the most san- 

 guine anticipations, multiplied and cheapened the comforts of our 

 whole race, and for the purposes of commerce and social intercourse 

 placed distant countries in proximity to each other. 



The early and successful operations of this club have induced the 

 formation of a great number of others, from which useful communi- 

 cations have been received. Clubs are formed in some States in every 

 county, and arrangements are making in a neighboring county in this 

 State for the organization of clubs in all the towns. Two have re- 

 cently been formed in New-Jersey, and two on Long Island. Far- 

 mers' clubs, we believe, are destined to extend over the whole coun- 

 try. Scatter knowledge among the secluded husbandmen ! and 

 break down the prejudices which have retarded their advance in im- 

 provements, and by the lights of science elevate them to a position 



