A NEW DEPARTURE. 297 



State. The time has come when agricultural societies should 

 pay less attention to, and offer less premiums for, large crops, 

 without regard to cost, large squashes, without reference to 

 quality, and horses whose only point considered is speed, and 

 pay more attention to, and offer larger premiums for, the best 

 methods of fertilizing and cultivating the soil, the improve- 

 ment of seeds, and the scientific principles in the breeding of 

 animals : for it is of no advantage to know how to obtain 

 large crops of grain, if it increases the cost per bushel ; or 

 to produce mammoth vegetables, if they are unfit for feed ; 

 and the large sums of money that have been paid out for 

 speed in horses have resulted in filling New England with a 

 class of horses that are of but little practicable use ; and at 

 the same time has had a direct tendency to lower the moral 

 standing of our agricultural exhibitions. With the aid of 

 the able corps of scientific men who are engaged in investi- 

 gating the qualities of fertilizers, the character and wants 

 of the soil for particular crops, the laws relating to the 

 improvement of fruits and vegetables and the breeding of 

 animals, we may by united efforts, encouraged by liberal 

 premiums, secure that action necessary to make such ad- 

 vancement in practical knowledge relating to the operations 

 of the farm, as will make farming both pleasant and profita- 

 ble, and cover the worn-out soil of the State with a luxu- 

 riant growth of feed for both man and beast. 



Agricultural societies, in making up their list of premiums, 

 should adopt a method that will not only encourage improve- 

 ments, but also compel competitors to give true and detailed 

 statements of the manner of securing the improvement; 

 and, as a rule, awards should be made with reference to the 

 value of the statement thus submitted. 



An earnest and determined effort in this direction by the 

 intelligent farmers of the State would do much to settle dis- 

 puted points, and scatter abroad that information so much 

 needed to enable the inexperienced to cultivate the soil to 

 advantage. 



In making up the list of premiums, societies should en- 

 deavor to introduce every year as many new and attractive 

 features as possible, being careful to make every change an 

 improvement. Where money-premiums only have been 

 offered, it would add attractions, and create a renewed in- 



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