34 [Senate 



ADDRESS OF HON. J. P. BEEKMAN, 



PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY. 



Gentlemen : — In compliance with the custom which has uniform- 

 ly prevailed in the action of this Society since its organizationj I rise 

 as its presiding officer, at the close of my official term, to address you. 



This Society has had an existence since the year 1832 ; and we can- 

 not now, probably, be better employed, than in taking a cursory survey 

 of its past operations, and in looking forward to its future prospects. 

 It was formed to promote the cause of Agriculture ; but whether the 

 benefits derived from it have been proportionate to the labor it has 

 cost, must be left to the good judgment of an intelligent community 

 of farmers to determine. The profitable cultivation of the soil is a 

 subject of the deepest solicitude to an American freeman ; for a coun- 

 try so extensive and fertile as ours, with its varied productions, its 

 changeable climate, and its fast increasing population, must derive its 

 support, its wealth, and its prosperity principally from the labors of 

 the husbandman. It is a most interesting study to give a right 

 direction and efficiency to these labors ; and to aid in this work was 

 the paramount object in the formation of this Society. 



That important changes have taken place in the manner of culti- 

 vating the soil, and a vast accession been made to our agricultural 

 knowledge, within a short period of time, must be apparent to the 

 most superficial observer. How far we by our organization have con- 

 tributed to it, is not so easy to determine. But an impulse has been 

 given to the cause — men of other occupations have entered into it 

 with a zeal, intelligence and ardor, which will lead to the most im- 

 portant practical results, and which must operate most beneficially to 

 our country. Union of action creates a union of interest and feeling 

 — it gives tone to public sentiment, and determines the fate of fami- 

 lies, of societies and nations. If public sentiment can be so directed 

 that all take an interest to make it bear on one subject, depend upon 

 it, that subject, whatever it may be, will undergo an investigation as 

 thorough as it will be instructive. 



The Executive of this State, in his recent annual message, says, 

 " the interest of agriculture is not only the most important committed 

 to our charge, but more important than all others." 



If this be so, it then becomes us, fellow-members, to whom this 



