208 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



it being none too easy an undertaking to inaugurate one model farm 

 — such as it should be —to get it into successful operation and to 

 keep it so, the idea of a dozen or more operates much like a mill 

 stone around its neck. 



In this dilemma, Mr. G., who thinks he sees a "way out of the 

 woods, suggests that, inasmuch as various doubts attach to all untried 

 plans, and we have now in successful operation certain agencies, 

 which everybody admits have done and are doing much good, to wit : 

 our agricultural societies, that we would do well to urge increased 

 legislative assistance to these ; enough, at least, to make the amount 

 equal to what is granted similar societies in neighboring States, and 

 the Provinces on either side of us. 



But Mr. H., while he would by no means underrate the good 

 which societies have effected, is clearly of opinion, that as they. have 

 been jogging along at about the same pace for 10, 20, 30 years, 

 in precisely the same old ruts — have struck out no new paths, and 

 might not with increased aid, and have abundant scope for improve- 

 ment within their own proper province, and thinks we certainly 

 should attempt an advance, would have it ip. some different direction ; 

 perhaps legislative grants could be more usefully employed in offer- 

 ing a few liberal premiums for careful trials, such as are proposed 

 to be made on an experimental farm, or for the invention of labor- 

 saving machinery, and improved implements of husbandry. This 

 meets the views of Messrs. I., J., K. and L., who, however, each 

 have some favorite object or plan; one would prefer to have it 

 expended in the purchase of books for farmers' clubs ; another would 

 buy costly, thorough-bred animals for breeding, to be afterwards 

 sold at auction, one, two, or half a dozen in each county, on condi- 

 tion of their being used in, and not sold out of the State or county, 

 and so on. 



The idea last thrown out meets a favorable response in the mind 

 of some one who thinks the main chance may be best promoted by 

 improving the breeds of domestic animals; but not deeming the 

 above plan of accomplishing the object the best possible one, suggests 

 an amendment, namely, that we recommend the establishment by 

 the State of a Stock Farm, where the very choicest specimens of 

 the various breeds shall be bred and reared, and their comparative 

 merits for various uses observed and proved, and at proper intervals 



