32 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



The sauic argument applies equally to improved modes of cul- 

 ture, breeds of cattle, and all else pertaining to the farm. This 

 may appear a stn,rtliug result, but are the premises without 

 foundation, or is the arithmetic at fault? 



In concluding upon this topic, let lue quote the language and 

 sentiments of one, who as a sound practical farmer, as little 

 needs indorsement as in other regards — *• It will not be doubted 

 that, with reference cither to individual or national welfare, 

 agriculture is of primary importance. In proportion as nations 

 advance in population and other circumstances of raaturit}', this 

 truth becomes more and more an object of public patronage. 

 Institutions for promoting it grow up, supported by the public 

 purse ; and to what object can it be dedicated with greater suc- 

 cess than the establishment of boards composed of proper char- 

 acters, charged with collecting and diffusing information, and 

 enabled by premiums and small pecuniary aids, to encourage and 

 assist a spirit of discovery and improvement ? This species of 

 establishments contributes doubly to the increase of improve- 

 ment, by stimulating to enterprise and experiment, and by 

 drawing to a common centre the results everywhere of individ- 

 ual skill and observation, and spreading them thence over the 

 whole nation. Experience accordingly has shown that they are 

 very cheap instruments of immense national bencncs.'' 



[Washington's Message to Congress, Dec, 170G.] 



TVa7its of Agriculture. 

 These arc too numerous to be mentioned in detail, and our 

 effort will be simply to discuss a few of the more urgent and 

 comprehensive ; and the first is, the adoption into its practice, of 

 those habits of system, method, and accuracy, which are found 

 indispensable to success in all branches of business whatever — 

 business habits ; or in other words, that agriculture be pursued 

 as a business, in distinction from and preference to, pursuing it 

 as a calling or employment, by means of which the tiller of the 

 soil hopes to earn his bread, his taxes, and something more. 

 This is not a distinction without a difference, nor is the differ- 

 ence a trivial one. By employment, is understood that in which 

 labor and skill are disposed of for an equivalent. The mechanic 

 who works for wages docs this, and cannot properly be termed 



