48 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE, 



Cost of reclaiming 50 00 



Gain, per acre, in two years $64 00 



The increase of hay in two years paid tlie cost of reclaiming, 

 and left a balance of $64. The land continued to produce abun 

 dant crops, with a light top dressing, for ten years in succession, 

 and was then plowed, and the tile drains working as well as ever, 



The whole process of underdraining may be stated and explained 

 by diagrams, so that the beginner may take hold of the work and 

 prosecute it with success, by a single evening's exercises in a 

 well organized Farmer's Club. Scarceh' any improvements in 

 farming have resulted in more obvious benefits, than in draining 

 off from lands their surplus of cold water. The advantages to be 

 gained are too numerous to be stated here, but would form atopic 

 of great interest in some future discussion. 



Prejudices against the use of machiner}'^ on the farm have been 

 materially modified among us, but still prevent many from avail- 

 ing themselves of the means of averting human labor to that of 

 brute force. The eflForts of genius in devising helps in cultivating 

 the soil, are as important as they are in foundries, in cotton, 

 woolen, and a thousand other mills, in sail or steam navigation, in 

 the use of railroads, or to the unnumbered appliances in conduct- 

 ing the sciences and arts. They are more important, because 

 agriculture underlies and sustains them all — freights the ships, 

 furnishes the raw material for the mills, and feeds and clothes all 

 who labor in them. 



Well informed members of a Farmers'' Club speak of their expe- 

 riences in the application of machines to the business of the farm, 

 and thereby enable those who have not. purchased to select the 

 best, and thus avoid vexation and loss. One and another will 

 occasionally introduce some new implement or machine, and find- 

 ing it an actual helper, will commend it to others, who will find 

 especial benefits iu its use. 



Political Distinction. 



It has already been stated as a reason why farmers do not hohi 

 a fair proportipn of political offices, that they have not endeavored 

 tu (pialify themselves for such places. The door for such dis- 

 tinction is open to all ; but lie who enters it, must work before he 

 wins. 



The farmers' and mechanics' association is the natural stepping- 

 stone to preferment It must have a presiding officer, who may 



