240 STATE BOARD OF AGEICULTUEE. 



A great hindrance to progressive farming has been tliat many of onr best and 

 most successf nl farmers never Avrite or say anything npon the snbject of agricnl- 

 ture, I have a gentleman nov/ in my mind wlio is one of the most extensive and 

 successful farmers of Washtenaw county. I had the pleasure of meeting him 

 just before our Institute last year. I invited him to attend and take a part. 

 His reply "was, he feared he could be of no use to his brother farmers, as he 

 never said anything in public. About a year ago I had the pleasure of visiting 

 his farm and spending the day with the gentlemanly proprietor in looking over 

 his stock, farm, buildings, and his various appliances for the saving of labor. 

 His residence, cisterns^ Avells, and even his tenant houses, were constructed 

 largely with reference to convenience and the laws of health. His other build- 

 ings were mostly constructed upon scientific principles, with all tlie modern 

 improvements and appliances. His agricultural implements were all nicely 

 stowed away for Avinter ; and by a simple application of a mechanical power, his 

 heavy wagon racks were taken from and readjusted upon the wagons by one 

 man with greater ease than four could do it in the ordinary way. I also had 

 the pleasure of looking over his farm journal and other books connected with 

 his pursuit, and I think that this gentleman is better prepared to give the public 

 the exact cost of producing a pound of ■wool, pork, beef, or a bushel of grain 

 than any one with Avhom I am acquainted. I also think that his experience 

 and experiments in preserving fence posts from decay would be of great benefit 

 to farmers. If such men would present to the public the result of their many 

 valuable experiments, it would do much to advance our agricultural science. 



When the importance of a more thorough system of underdrainage is better 

 understood, appreciated, and practiced among our farmers, many of the swamps 

 and unsightly waste places that we often meet with will disappear, and in the 

 place of the Aveeds and wild grass that once luxuriantly grew Avill stand the 

 golden grain Avaiting for the sickle of the master that made the change. 



Thousands of acres of land that is noAV comparatiA'cly useless might be 

 reclaimed to cultivation, and the health and consequent happiness of the people 

 be greatly improved, and the material wealth of the State increased. In the 

 performance of this important Avork, system, science, and mathematical knoAAd- 

 edge, as Avell as labor, Avill be greatly needed. And as all our wealth comes 

 directly or indirectly from our industry and the Avisdom with which it is applied, 

 it is important that avc should realize the truth that there is no pursuit folloAved 

 by man Avhere a general intelligence as Avell as specific knoAvledge is of more 

 importance than in the pursuit of agriculture. When this is generally under- 

 stood, accepted, and appreciated, science and labor Avill go forth hand in hand 

 over our pleasant plains and fertile valleys, and Avealth and happiness will be our 

 reward. 



This session closed Avith a short and instructive discussion on the subjects of 

 the essays. « 



