No. 112.] 191 



winters, and half starved, was of little value ; and in every 

 department, it may with truth be aflS.rmed, that after making 

 every reasonable allowance, there was a very manifest deficiency, 

 that needed correction. The dairy, if so it might be called, pre- 

 sented such abundant evidence of lack of skill and attention, that 

 if the products, as then too often prepared, could now be brought 

 before us, the surprise would be great indeed, that there ever 

 could have been a time when such materials as these were digni" 

 fied with the names of butter and cheese. But I do not desire to 

 dwell on the deficiencies of the past. There was then enough of 

 toil and more labor often, even than now; but it was unregu- 

 lated, because not directed by that skill which science has since 

 brought to the aid of our farmers, and enabled the observing and 

 the inquiring mind to profit by, and thus realize immense bene- 

 fits in all the operations of the farm. 



Agricultural chemistry had shed but feeble light upon the far- 

 mer's pursuit, upon the nature and food of plants, and of the soil, 

 or of the value of particular manures for particular crops. 

 Farming had not been reduced to a system. As one of the most 

 important pursuits in our country, in fact the foundation upon 

 which all other pursuits rest for their success, it was in reality 

 most sadly neglected, and far in arrear of other pursuits, in the 

 way of improvements. 



The first necessary work to be done to arouse the farmer, was 

 to enkindle within him an ambition to improve and excel, and to 

 convince him that this could be done by vigorous and determined 

 ellbrt. All this, your Society has done for the farmers of New- 

 York. It opened its awards to all upon equal terms, it spread 

 before them the results of the labors of those most intelligent and 

 successful in their operations, thus enabling the unsuccessful to 

 profit and improve. Informatii^n gatlierod from a thousand 

 sources, has been scattered abroad; science and practice com- 

 bined have year by year contributed to help forward the work, 

 and the firniers of New York have made most creditable advan- 

 ces. Farming is no longer that uncertain, profitless work, which 

 it once was. It is now reduced to a system, securing returns far 

 more certain in tlieir character, and at the same time as remune- 

 rating as any investment in any other pursuit. 



