419 



try, and under a government whose benign influence secures to you all 

 the privileges of civil and religious liberty. Let our efforts be directed 

 to pei'petuate the blessings we enjoy to the latest posterity. We owe a 

 duty to the Agricultural Society of this county. The active and pay- 

 ing members of the Society are far too small. We should adopt a plan 

 to increase our numbers. I have a plan which I shall ofter for the con- 

 sideration of the Executive Committee. I propose that a committee be 



appointed in each town to solicit farmers to become members and pay 



* 

 their admission fee of fifty cents each. The members of this commit- 

 tee should be furnished with tickets which will then allow to them aU 

 the privileges of the Society, including the Fair. These town commit- 

 tees should report to the Society previous to the Annual Meeting, and 

 pay their funds into the hands of the treasurer. I think this would 

 stir up an interest and the next Annual Meeting would be attended by 

 several hundred farmers. By this course, a large fund might be raised 

 to be distributed as premiums, and the premiums made much larger 

 and more extensive. I am satisfied that some plan of this kind would 

 arouse an interest in the doings of the Society never before felt. 



Permit me, before I close, to offer a word to the ladies who have honored 

 us with their presence on this occasion. I tender to you the thanks of the 

 Society for the interest which you have manifested in our efforts to improve 

 the husbandry of the country. In its improvement you are most deeply 

 interested, and your toils will be lightened — your pleasures increased, as 

 the business of farming shall be made to rank as high as its importance 

 deserves. Your smiles and your encouragement are all powerful in 

 stimulating us to great exertions in this good work. 



I think that old familiar song expresses about the right sentiment: 



" The Lords of creation men they call, 



And they think they rule the whole; 

 But they're much mistaken after all, 



For they're under woman's control." 



Your influence as sister, daughter, wife, or mother, is almost omnipo- 

 tent for good or evil ; and perhaps it is in no instance exerted with more 

 effect than upon the young and tender mind — to guide, instruct, and 

 direct the youth in his path to manhood. Your presence here to-day 

 is most gratifying, and tlie articles of ornament and utihty which you 

 have presented for exhibition upon this occasion, add materially to this 



