SECRETARY'S REPORT. £07 



It is apparent that here is a field for investigation, which to ex- 

 plore so thoroughly as to arrive at the most enlightened conclusions, 

 "Will require more time than one short session can give, and qualifi- 

 cations other than familiarity with the art or science of agriculture. 



Before this subject is satisfactorily disposed of, Mr. C, who is 

 anxious for immediate practical results, and has bestowed some pre- 

 vious thought upon ways and means, proposes that the State establish 

 an Experimental Farm, v>'here conflicting theories and modes of 

 practice shall be brought to the test of experience, and the truth 

 regarding them made known to all, so that we may no longer grope 

 in the dark or find our way into light only by means of protracted 

 and laborious experiments, too costly for the unaided means of pri- 

 vate individuals. To this, Mr. D. responds, by saying that this is, 

 only in another form to be sure, just what they had already decided 

 not to attempt at present, viz : an increase of knowledge, and he 

 may further state, that experience has already shown that such an 

 attempt must be made at a cost disproportionate to probable results, 

 at least among us, for it could at best only settle doubtful points 

 under certain conditions. of soil, climate, &c., &c., and that when 

 the same trials are made under other conditions and upon other 

 farms, that diverse results will follow, and so we might be as much 

 in the dark as ever — at any rate the public would not be satisfied 

 with its tardy and questionable fruits at the price which must be 

 paid for them, Whereupon, Mr. E. introduces his plan, which is, 

 that the State provide a Model Farm, where practice shall be daily 

 exhibited which is fully up to the standard of present scientific 

 attainments— where improvements shall be seen, rather than heard 

 of, or read about, — where every farmer may go and learn, and let 

 his boys go and take lessons of unmistakable value. A capital idea, 

 and one which wins the favor of many, and seems likely to be 

 adopted, when Mr. F. intimates that farmers are not much in the 

 habit of going abroad to view improvements or to study, and to be 

 of any practical utility, there should be at least one in each county, 

 and then something worth the while might come of it, but as for 

 having only one, 'twould be like having a college to educate farm- 

 ers' sons — there would be a hundred who would' nt go, to every one 

 who would — the only way in which one could serve would be to put 

 it upon trucks and make it itinerate from county to county. Now, 



