50 ANDROSCOGGm COUNTY SOCIETY. 



then at command. Two hands were all the implements they had to 

 operate with hj which to supply all the demands of nature. How 

 wonderful the change ! How has this been brought about? By 

 mind acting upon matter agreeably to the law of demand and sup- 

 ply, and more has been accomplished within the last half century to 

 facilitate the operation and reduce the toils of the agriculturist, 

 than through any period of the same length from the days of Adam 

 and Eve. 



One great agency, in the opinion of your committee, in producing 

 such desired improvements has been agricultural associations, from 

 the farmers' club in the secluded neighborhood, to the world's fair. 

 To whatever perfection we may think the numerous implements have 

 now arrived, can we not look forward with hope, that the things now 

 so much admired, in less than half a century to come, will give place 

 to others, as far in advance of them, as those are superior to what 

 Were used a quarter of a century ago. Without this hope in the fu- 

 ture, enough has been accomplished to establish the practical utility 

 of agricultural associations. If we may judge the future by the 

 past, the time is not far distant, when very much of the power now 

 required to perform our agricultural operations, may be dispensed 

 with, by the introduction of still greater improvements not yet 

 thought of. Clearly, then, a demand is made upon every lover of 

 his country to foster and cherish every association that tends to 

 develope the faculties of mind when applied to mechanical and agri- 

 cultural improvement. Let it not be said that our implements are 

 now perfect, but exercise our best judgment in suggesting to the 

 mechanic a defect to be remedied or an improvement to be made. 



From Report on Composts. 



Of all the questions treated upon by this Society, none is of more 

 vital interest to the former than this. ]\Ianure to the life and (jrowth 

 of vegetables is what food is to animals. The preparing of food for 

 animals involves scientific principles, and requires much research, — 

 but not more than the preparing of food for plants — or the combin- 

 ing such fertilizers as will best promote the growth of farm crops. 



To master this science requires more chemical knowledge than 

 your committee would dare claim. 



