50 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



of fifty dollars, for the greatest improvements to be made in two 

 years. 



What have been the results ? The highly intelligent committee 

 ■who went, each year, over the whole *ground, in their report, speak 

 not only of the earnest, ardent efforts of some fifteen or twenty 

 competitors, for the greatest improvement in their power, but of 

 "the deep interest manifested by those zv hose farms were not 

 entered, to see, and discuss the economy of the improvements made, 

 and in many instances to commence the work of reform upon their 

 own premises ; giving evidence that this class of premiums is about 

 to accomplish an amount of good to the agriculture of the county, 

 not easily to be estimated. It is truly gratifying to observe the 

 spirit of inquiry everywhere manifested , as to the best methods of 

 conducting farm operations. The old ruts in which the fathers 

 teamed so sturdily and persistently, are being carefully examined : 

 and, though perhaps they were well adapted to the circumstances of 

 those who marked them out. they are now often found too deep and 

 heavy, too hilly and circuitous for these latter times. Improvement 

 is now the order of the day ; improved stock, improved buildings, 

 improved implements, improved orchards, gardens, mowing, pastures, 

 improved everything. Men of intelligence, energy and persever- 

 ance, and with abundant capital, are enlisting in it , and, if we 

 mistake not the signs of the times, farming in Cumberland county is 

 soon to assume a rank, as an occupation, second to no other, either 

 in point of the skill with which it is conducted, or the profits which 

 it will be made to return." 



What has come to pass in Cumberland, may be safely calculated 

 upon wherever a similar movement is started in other counties, and 

 the actual benefit accruing to the. agricultural community, will, in 

 the opinion of your committee, be many fold greater and more last- 

 ing, than by expending the same sum in prizes upon extra fine pro- 

 ductions, brought to the fair ; leaving behind upon the farm, possi- 

 bly, many things which the owner would be less anxious to have 

 properly appreciated by a discriminating committee. 



But we are met by the objection that many of our agricultural 

 societies are not able to devote the requisite amount for this purpose, 

 without great inconvenience or sacrifice ; perhaps, would be obliged 

 to suspend their ordinary operations for a year, in order to do it. 



