SECRET AP.Y'S REPORT. 29 



end and aim of legislation would seem Lest mot and realized by 

 abolishing taxation, or perliaps more justly, by reducing it to the 

 neediiil amount to pay their per diem allowance and travel. 

 Such men have ever been steadily and uncompromisingly op- 

 posed to every movement in behalf of agriculture, involving the 

 least expenditure whatever; and it cannot be wondered at, if 

 those, otherwise well disposed, should hesitate when opposed by 

 some of the very men apparently representing the interest to be 

 benefited. These causes arc all steadily giving way. More 

 liberal views obtain, interest is awakening among those before 

 torpid and lethargic, views as to the preferable measures to 

 secure advanconent are harmonizing. This is to be attributed 

 in no small degree to the obvious good already accomplished by 

 the agencies in operation, and we are warranted in expecting 

 that its progress will be rapid in proportion to judicious effort 

 hereafter. 



That the county societies have been productive of great 

 good, and have already repaid many fold, the aid received from 

 the State, is obvious to all who have watched their effects. They 

 have awakened interest, inquiry and thought, excited emulation, 

 diffused knowledge, by their reports, addresses, and the mutual 

 interchange of views and practice, and the communication of 

 each other's successes and failures. 



There is a fitness in them, too, as a means of improvement, 

 arising from the fact that agriculturists are by the nature of 

 their occupation more isolated than others. The farmer for the 

 most part must abide upon his own acres; he cannot, like the 

 manufacturer, visit all the establishments similar to his own, in 

 order to profit at the earliest moment, by the discoveries and 

 improvements of others, nor are his products, being largely con- 

 sumed at home, subjected to comparison and competition in the 

 markets of the world, to an extent so suggestive as those of 

 others. 



Another form of association which prevails to some extent in 

 the State, is worthy of notice, as capable of accomplishing in au 

 agreeable way, a great amount of good. I allude to Farmer's 

 Clubs, each embracing a town or neighborhood, with meetings 

 for discussion, the reading of papers prepared by its members, 

 and in every practicable way aiding and encouraging one 



