No. 112.] 199 



and that we do not cripple the operations of the Society, by such 

 a lavish increase as will embarrass its operations. 



The expenditure of a portion of our funds, for essays and ex- 

 periments upon practical and scientific subjects, has secured to us 

 heretofore many valuable articles, that have amply repaid the so- 

 ciety for the expenditure, and it is to be hoped that a due regard 

 to the interests of the cause will secure a like appropriation for 

 the future. Of the general management of the society I can only 

 say, that my father taught me a proverb ^'let well enough alone ;" 

 it is a safe rule in business life, and not less so here, the means 

 which have prospered us in the past, will be the ground of future 

 hope ; thus far we have steadily pursued our course for one end ; 

 the society has carefully avoided all topics nut connected with its 

 legitimate duties, and this has been its safety, it has left other sub- 

 jects to those connected with them, and thus has avoided those 

 divisions which divided counsels must ever bring with them ; 

 we only need warm and earnest hearts, and united action as 

 heretofore, to ensure us success, wise heads guided our iniimcy, 

 and their precepts and examples will be found the best stay of 

 our maturity and manhood 



I tender you my hearty congratulations on the success of the 

 year which has past. I rejoice that a fraternal intercourse lias 

 been opened between our Society and kindred ones throughout 

 our land, and even extending the paternal hand across the sea 

 to foreign lands ; and here permit me to congratulate our worthy 

 Secretary, that to his labors we owe much of this result. The 

 success of our countrymen at the World's Fair is, much of it, 

 due to his perseverance and that of his friends, who asked fur 

 them only what was due, and in the end obtained fur them tliat 

 position which left the New Wurld equal to the highest. 



Gentlemen, may we not hope tliiit (he tin:e will soon come, 

 when there will be a brotherhood of agriculturists throughout 

 the world ; may we nr)t believe the time of prophecy is aj)pro:ich- 

 ing. when the sword shall be beaten intopluw-sliarts, and the spear 

 into pruning hooks. Such seems to me to be the indications of 

 that Providence, which has so kindly blessed the agricultural 

 efforts of the last half century. 



