No. 112.] , 533 



heard and their iofluence felt on all questions of policy essential- 

 ly touching their interests. Other classes, numerically smaller, 

 understand the value of such concerted opinion and action ; and 

 the more numerous body of tillers of the earth, scattered over wide 

 surfaces, and each pursuing his separate path, have less opportu- 

 nity of intelligent, united action. Agricultural societies and ag- 

 ricultural anniversaries, and the intermediate meetings, furnish 

 the means of readily concentrating the views of the agricultural 

 population, and of giving to these views their full and proper ef- 

 fect. 



But the higher point in which to regard this association, is 

 that of a school of instruction^ where what has long been practiced 

 as a mere empirical art, is considered, discussed and explained as 

 a comprehensive science — a science in which astronomy, chemis- 

 try, vegetable physiology, botany and geology all claim a part, and 

 which lies at the base of all. individual and all national prosperity. 



It is only within a comparitively recent period, that this view 

 seems to have forced itself upon the cultivators of the soil • and 

 even now it is not universally received, and a majority perhaps of 

 all those engaged in the pursuits of tlie farmer carry on those 

 pursuits in old traditional ways, without concerning themselves 

 to know^, or to inquire, whether or not, in an age of progress like 

 this, in all other branches and departments of human indust;y, 

 the business of the farmer alone remain^ stationary. It is cer- 

 tainly not the best characteristic or' valuable trait of a farmer, 

 that he is prone to keep to old ways and to hold fast to ojd cus- 

 toms; fur dir^tly opposite is the tendency of the more fickle and 

 excitable population of cities and towns, always ready to run af- 

 ter novelties, and eager for change ; and safety and benefit to all 

 arise from the countervailing tendencies of these two classes. But 

 as there is undoubted error in the indulgence o^ inconsiderate de- 

 sire to change, so there is mischievous obstruction in the unwise 

 conservatism whicli will not relax its hold upon old usages, even- 

 where the advantage of change is made manifest. 



Agricultural societies, fairs and premiums have done much, 

 and are doing nuich to promote wise progress ; and eminent men 

 of science have turned their attention to the needs oi' this prima 



