414 



have his Institute, where he and his cotemporaries may exhibit the re- 

 sult of their researches, and thus each avail himself of all the facts col- 

 lected by the whole ; if the Merchant must ha\'e his Board of Com- 

 merce ; the Manufacturer his League ; in short, every department of 

 business or science concentrate knowledge in this way — the farmer also 

 must have his Association, for without Aw labor all other enterprises 

 must cease to exist. And here we have an association for the very 

 purpose of improving Agriculture. We must increase this store of 

 knowledge by enlisting a greater interest. Every agriculturist in Gen- 

 esee county should be a member of this Society, and lend his influence 

 and a little of his cash to give it a more permanent standing. Com- 

 petitors for premiums are required by the Society to accompany their 

 statements of any crop, with the method of culture. These statements 

 are the property of the Society, and are accessible to every member. 

 Here then is a fund from which we may draw valuable information. 



I am aware that " book learning" has, in many instances, been des- 

 pised as unfit for the realities and practical details of a farmer's life. 

 But is it so ? Are men who are engaged in the vocation of farming, 

 independent of the knowledge derived from books ? The pursuits of 

 the farmer, with proper economy, and a judicious division of time, are con- 

 sistent with the prosecution of science, and the acquisition of that know- 

 ledge, too, which will enable him to discharge all the relations of life 

 with as much prudence, understanding, and fidelity, as him whose only 

 pursuit is study — and knowledge, too, which mingling its streams with 

 the mighty current of human affairs, will 'teach industry, temperance, 

 and frugality, and carry refinement to every cottage home. The farmer 

 cannot gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles ; nor can he reap the 

 fruits of knowledge without its care and cultivation. 



Therefore, farmers of Genesee County, make an effort while you cul- 

 tivate the soil, to cultivate your minds. If you find any noxious weeds, 

 how readily, and with what care you pluck them up root and branch. 

 Should you, in the cultivation of the mind, find any bad passions or 

 habits, be as thorough in eradicating them ; and thus stand out in bold 

 relief before the world, as eminent for intelligence and refinement, as 

 you are for your system of agriculture. You have within your reach 

 all the elements for a systematic course of farming. I hope you all 

 avail yourselves of the " Michigan Farmer." This one item, for the 



