MAINE STATE SOCIETY. 5 



are of insignificant value, when viewed with the advantages afforded 

 to compare the stock and productions of one section of our State with 

 another, thereby stimulating our farmers to a laudable emulation to 

 excel in the various departments of agriculture. 



And while we have the most cheering evidence of the rapid diffu- 

 sion of general and scientific intelligence, applicable to all depart- 

 ments of agriculture and mechanics, we feel fully satisfied of the 

 necessity of continuing our annual exhibition as heretofore, where ag- 

 riculturists, who are making earnest efforts to improve, may compare 

 with each other, and receive the just appreciation of the public eye. 



We feel warranted in saying to you that the beneficial effects of 

 this society are each year better appreciated by the intelligent 

 farmers of Maine. 



And while the labors of the Board of Agriculture are directly 

 felt and acknowledged as of incalculable value, wherever their 

 comprehensive and able reports have been circulated — while our 

 farmers have with much readiness and an earnest spirit of enquiry 

 adopted many new methods of culture, improvements in stock and 

 implements — yet they look to the exhibitions of this society to illus- 

 trate the practical value of their operations, compared with old 

 methods. 



Herein, gentlemen, it is cheering to believe that in establishing 

 this society, you have created a most powerful agent for the diffu- 

 sion of agricultural intelligence and improvement. Your shoivs and 

 fairs become wide spread advei'tisemejits of the best fruits of the 

 farmers' labor, at the same time furnishing to the unsuccessful com- 

 petitor, the method by which these results have been attained. 



Is there any gentleman, member of this association, who can look 

 back to the commencement of the last decade and not be surprised 

 at the great improvement visible in the present condition of the 

 farming interests of Maine ] Compare the marketable products of 

 the farmers' industry of that date and the present. The increase 

 of cattle, sheep, horses, swine and crops — the remarkable improve- 

 ment in the qualifications and value of every class of animals, and 

 the increased variety of the products of the soil, the facility of their 

 production under the promptings of science and the careful experi- 

 ments of intelligent men, which it is your mission to encourage in 

 their labors and publish their experiences. 



