No. 112.] 561 ^ 



known, have been fiattering and instructive. They have taught 

 us that we have only begun to realize the profits wliich may be 

 derived from l-^uded property, whei^ it is judiciously and scienti- 

 fically managed. From these centers of intelligence and interest 

 on agricultural subjects, an influence has gone forth, which like 

 leaven, has leavened the whole man. 



With expansive and liberal views of the wants of the farmer, 

 one of my predecessors, distinguished for his interest in this soci- 

 ety, has thus been incited to lay foreign countries under contribu- 

 tion to increase the quality and value of our stock. By a practi- 

 cal example, he has taught us a truth that ought to have been 

 very obvious ; namely,- that it cost Ho more to keep a good ani- 

 mal, than it does a poor one ; that the poor man that has but one 

 cow^ may just as easily realize $40 a year from it as $20, provided 

 he will take pains to select from stock best adapted to his pur- 

 • poses. It is certain that many a family within our county would 

 be much less comfortable tlian it now is, had no improvement 

 been made in the quality of our stock. * 



Nor has the influence of such societies been less marked or less 

 important, in inciting ingenious men to exercise their skill in im- 

 proving the implements of husbandry. He who can look back 

 tweniy-five years, and compare the present finished, convenient, 

 labor saving implements, with the rough drafts and uncouth forms 

 that dragged their slow lengths ali)ng over tlie fields, with im- 

 mense labor, both to the farmer and to his burtliened team, will 

 appreciate something of the advance that has been made during 

 that perind. Between the farming utensils of the present day, 

 and those used at that time, there is scarcely less ditlerence than 

 there is between the elegant chairs and sofas in yoiu- parlors, and 

 those primitive seats used by our rude ancestors, when 



*' Joint stools were first created : on three logs 

 Upborne tbcy stood. Three legs up, holding firm 

 A mu«-lve fllah, in fiUjLion equarc or round." 



The wonder is that men lived and drudged so long with those 



• As a,n example in point, I find that a man in my empluy ha< realitc<l for peverul week? paft 

 sn mid-wiuter, ten poundu of butter per week from a linglc cow, besides supplying bis familj 

 with an abundance of milk for ordinary use This is a fact scarcely worth recording at the pre- 

 sent day; but 25year8«Bince, in any country community, it would have been regarded aa al- 

 most the eighth wonder of the world. 



[As- Tr. '53. J I. I. 



