14 BOAED OF AGRICULTUKE. 



lay down exact rules for guidance, agricultural knowledge is 

 still in the background. 



It has been said that the educational, religious and politi- 

 cal aspects of the world, in its higher progress, have been like 

 great weaves that sink and swell and still roll onward. 



This hardly holds true in our department, unless we ex- 

 cept some instances in the earlier centuries. No sudden 

 upheaval has marked her gain, or thrown it forward so that 

 times and dates can mark such an era. 



But we trust, gentlemen, that the time has come when a 

 flood of light is to fall on the hills and valleys of Worcester 

 West. Coming down from the hills of Berkshire, — yes, be- 

 yond, — Herkimer's brightest light is here. And, turning in 

 the other directions, we see some of the greatest lisfhts of 

 modern science, — men who are spending their lives in the 

 actual field of practical experience, as well as in the labora- 

 tory of chemical analysis and all the intricate paths of scien- 

 tific research ; and whose names are known xmd honored, not 

 only in our country, but throughout the world. We gladly 

 welcome you to our hall of discussion ; we welcome you to 

 our farm-houses and homes. 



Some of you are strangers, and know nothing, personally, 

 of our people, our land, our habits. We are strictly an agri- 

 cultural community and have but little mechanical or manu- 

 facturing interests. These interests have not gr(5Vn up here, 

 and probaljly are not more extensive than twenty years ago ; 

 but it is not for the want of natural facilities, to be found in 

 the abundant water-power in our streams, but our distance 

 from easy communication with the channels of trade has 

 shut out capitalists, and we thus have been left as a strictly 

 rural people, and that without any home market at our door. 



Whatever disadvantages the manufacturer would have 

 labored under, we, as farm-producers, have felt with great 

 pressure. 



You have been disappointed in your facilities for reaching 

 us, and we regret, as well as you, your disappointment ; but 

 it has its compensation. You know the obstacles we have to 

 contend with, to keep up in rank with other sections of the 

 State in improvement and development ; you understand, as 

 nothing but experience can teach you, what it is to live so 



