12 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE, [Jan., 



OPENING ADDRESS. 

 By J. P. Barstow. 



Gentlemen of the Connecticut Farmers Institute: — I had hoped we 

 should have His Excellency Governor "Waller here to open this 

 Institute, as I know he would have spoken words to you that 

 would have given you much pleasure to listen to, but I hope he 

 will be here at some of our meetings, that we may hear his eloquent 

 voice. 



Gentlemen, we meet in this thriving manufacturing city to con- 

 sider the interests of Agriculture, and it is appropriate that we do 

 meet here, for Agriculture and Manufactures must go hand in 

 hand. Each is dependent upon the other, as without the products 

 of the farm the manufacturer could not live, and without the manu- 

 facturer and mechanic the farmer could not sell his products. So 

 each is dependent upon the other; the great law of dependence 

 runs through all the affairs of this life. 



"What can elevate or in any way benefit the farmer, will also 

 benefit all other avocations. 



These farmers' meetings have been the means of great good in 

 the past, and I doubt not this will be quite as profitable as any of its 

 predecessors, as we have those to speak to us who will tell us much 

 that will be profitable to hear, and we hope in the discussions 

 that follow the lectures we shall have a free expression of opinion 

 from all who can add to the interest of the meeting. 



When we consider that agriculture is not only the corner-stone, 

 but the whole broadside of the country's financial foundation, 

 when we estimate the army of men engaged in tilling the soil, and 

 the millions of money its products represent, surely it is entitled to 

 the aid of both the National and State Governments. 



The men who are trying to elevate to a higher standard the 

 farming interests of this country, are doing a good work, and 

 should be hailed as the benefactors of their race. 



Let us have a free interchange of ideas. Let each one, if he has a 

 better way of conducting his farming operation than others, make 

 it known, so by thus comparing experiences we shall make this 

 meeting a source of mutual benefit. 



Connecticut farmers cannot expect to compete with the "West in 

 raising wheat, corn, and beef for the world, but they can raise that 



