629 



owTi way. Should this be the case, we ma.y depend upou it ourprcw- 

 perity is at an end ; at least we shall have taken one step in the retro 

 grade, which will render all the labors of the Association abortive. Ah 

 in all governmental affairs, the minority must be willing to submit to be 

 controlled by the majority. It is our duty also, at least in all ordinary 

 cases, to meekly submit to, and quietly to acquiesce in tlie action and 

 decision of the various Examining Committees of the Society. All 

 who bring their productions here to exhibit, may not obtain the first or 

 even the second premium. Some may go away feeling that the merits 

 of their particular article exhibited have not been duly appreciated, and 

 that what really belongs to them has been awarded to another; but 

 this should not create in us a spirit of disaffection. We are bound, until 

 the contrary be shown, to believe the judges have acted honestly, while 

 it is easy to account for an honest difference in opinion between us and 

 them, in the fact that so prone are we to selfishness and a bias in our 

 own favor, no man is considered fit to be a judge in his own case. If 

 any exhibitor goes away from this ground unawarded by the Judges, 

 let him go home determined to bring a better sample at the next Fair. 

 In this way we shall drj- up the fountain for any discordant, jealous, or 

 angry feelings, and shall meet again as we have hitherto, I trust inet^ 

 with no other desire but to promote the best interests of the Association, 

 The great object for which this Association should hold its Annual 

 Fair, is improvement, that we may become theoretically and practically 

 better farmers, mechanics, and manufacturers. It is for this purpose 

 the premiums are awarded, not to the most dosening, but to those who 

 are adjudged to exhibit the best article. 



It is apparent that these exhibitions have been • productive of a very 

 oreat increase of interest in the improvement of the different breeds of 

 stock of all kinds, and have helped very much to create a healthful spirit 

 of emulation among our farmers, manufacturers and mechanics. Much 

 more however can be accomplished. It cannot be denied as wo go 

 around the countiy that many of our farmers exhibit around them the 

 appearance of unthrifty. There is nothingscientific or practical in all their 

 operations. They clear off their land only to be cleared off the second 

 time. They half fence, half plow, half drag, and half hoe. In short,, 

 they do eveiything at the halves, and the consequence is, tiey are aJ 

 wayF, rewarded with a poor crop. But the result of their misnvmage- 



