WEST OXFORD SOCIETY. 77 



Premiums in this class should be awarded rather for the intelli- 

 gence and economy displayed in farm operations than for the amount 

 of work done. The man of Avealth can execute, but the poor man 

 may contrive. Tiie man of wealth can perform a large amount of 

 Icibor, and bear away the prize, while the man of penury, or one of 

 ordinary ability, performs but little, yet he demonstrates his opera- 

 tions by philosophical principles, and develops with exceeding acuteness 

 and precision all the various natural phenomena involved in an intel- 

 ligent and successful cultivation of the soil. In a word, he should 

 receive the premium who adds most to the wealth and intelligence 

 of this agricultural community. We should have more competition, 

 and a greater diversity of operations, and we hope next year that 

 much will be accomplished in this department. 



It seems to your committee that one year is too short a time in 

 which to decide upon the permanent advantage of this or that oper- 

 ation. A man may commence a piece of work, execute it with zeal^. 

 but fail of receiving advantages commensurate with the expense. 

 There was a want of thoroughness or a systematic application of 

 natural principles. His drains may be long and well laid, but not 

 deep enough ; or they may run in the wrong direction, or want suf- 

 ficient outlet. He removed rocks from his fields, to be sure, but 

 their fertility was not increased. The work was done, but his fiirm 

 was none the better. Let a farmer begin his improvements this 

 year, and continue them under the supervision of the committee for 

 two years, and then something may be accomplished. 



Let the Society set apart twenty-five dollars this year and twenty- 

 five next, and award it as the trustees think best, perhaps in two 

 premiums of thirty and twenty dollars. In this way much good may 

 be secured, the farmer's interest promoted, and agricultural knowl- 

 edge disseminated. 



Your committee have concluded to divide the first premium 

 equally between Samuel Stickney and T. Mabry and Son. 



Crops. 



John Moulton, Porter, best crop of wheat. 

 Jos. G. Swan, Denmark, second do. 

 Jona. Sanborn Fryeburg, third do. 



