g3 BOARD OF AGRICrULTURE. 



Last year, for example, the Avlieat crop was good ; this year, it 

 was badly eaten by the hessian fly in spring, by tlie weevil in flower- 

 ing time, and rust and blight or mildew have nearly rAined the balance 

 of the crop. Potatoes, last year, Averc better than usual here ; this 

 year, it is thought, the rot will nearly destroy the crop. Corn is later 

 than usual, but if the frost holds ofl" late, it will be good ; early frost 

 will nearly ruin this crop. Thus it is that we are much afi'ected by the 

 seasons, entirely independent of the method of husbandry. This 

 method has not changed much for years, though there is m.ore inquiry 

 as to what is to be done for the future, to improve and render more 

 certain and more profitable the farmer's reward. The farms have not 

 been diminished in size, so that labor is spread now as formerly over 

 the same wide domain ; and as the farmer has no confidence in hiring 

 much labor, at the present price, it is spread equally thin with former 

 years. Unless this can be changed, there is a permanent bar to much 

 improvement in the mode and reward of farming. Farmers are aware 

 that they try to do too much, and work too much land ; but still 

 they are buying more, the idea not being carried into practice by sell- 

 ing half of the farm and working the balance better. Knowledge of 

 improved methods of farming could then be made more available than 

 now." 



Implements of Hnshandnj. 



Something lias already been said of the importance of apply- 

 ing science to agriculture. A perfect implement of husbandry 

 may be deemed a visible and tangible embodiment of science ap- 

 plied to practical agriculture. The importance of using such 

 tools or machinery, as will accomplish the best work with the 

 greatest ease, is too obvious to need enforcement. It is believed 

 that their use would effect an advance in practical agriculture,, 

 more rapidly than any other means which could be used. As 

 labor is growing scarcer and dearer every year, the expediency 

 of adopting not only improved methods of husbandry, but also 

 all available improvements in implements, grows stronger, and 

 even becomes an imperious necessity. If a few extra dollars 

 are needed to secure a better plough, which will save an eighth 

 or a quarter of the labor, the outlay is soon made up by the sav- 

 ing, and all saved beyond tins is clear gain. Manufacturers 

 understand this better than farmers. Ask one who has been 

 engaged for twenty years in manufacture, (of cloth or paper for 

 instance,) if he has ever found it good policy to throw aside; 



