164 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



a patient hearing. The creating of food is a business that can 

 never wear out, and must always furnish emplo3aTient to the 

 great mass of mankind. Whatever renders that employment 

 easier or more attractive or more remunerative, deserves the 

 consideration of those engaged in it; for every thing having these 

 results will tend also to elevate and improve the character of 

 the farm'er. Small farms, cultivated by the owners, should be 

 objects of special interest ; for they are the surest means of 

 developing the resources of the country and of raising up hardy 

 and industrious men, the true conservative element of society. 



Although in every quarter we found but one opinion, namely, 

 that there is an increasing interest in agriculture, the proofs of 

 which were improved methods of tillage and larger crops, yet 

 from hundreds of farmers our society and its objects receive little 

 favor or sympathy. Very few, considering the whole number, 

 attend its annual fairs, or send in contributions of their produce 

 or stock, — partly, perhaps, because they have not made them- 

 selves familiar with its design, which is simply to improve the 

 agriculture of the county, by exciting competition, by dissemi- 

 nating knowledge, by preserving and recording facts, and by 

 bringing the experience of all to bear upon the operations of 

 each, — partly because they are isolated from each other, and 

 have few occasions of mutual conference, to compare notes, and 

 to learn from their common successes and failures. This is a 

 cDgent reason why they should belong to the society and attend 

 its meetings. A man who lives by himself, and walks his beaten 

 round, and repeats again and again the same routine, is apt to 

 become unreasonably satisfied with himself and his course. 

 And however intelligent a man may be, it is not to be supposed 

 that he cannot learn from the results of others' activity. It is 

 believed by this committee that actual contact with our society, 

 and participation in its objects and labors, would promote the 

 interest of every individual farmer. Its encouragements and 

 rewards are distributed with impartiality, and its sole aim is to 

 repay with large increase the time or money that each person, 

 contributes. 



Hitherto our fairs have been supplied with valuable and beau- 

 tiful articles from the field,- the stall and the workshop, but chiefly 

 contributed by a few towns. Now in every town we have found 

 good farmers, who might add to the pleasure and the profit of 



