FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 261 



CENTREVILLE INSTITUTE. 



The Institute held at Centreville, commencing January 23d, was regarded 

 by all who attended it as one of the most interesting and successful of the 

 series. The attendance was large, and tliose attending manifested a degree 

 of interest amounting almost to enthusiasm iu the exercises of the meeting. 



Each session was opened by music and prayer. At the commencement of 

 the first evening session the President, Mr. J. II. Gardner, gave the following 



OPENING ADDRESS. 



Farmers and Friends : — We arc gratified to see so many here to take part 

 in this, the first Institute for the benefit of farmers ever held in this county. 

 The object of the Institute is to bring together science and practice, in lectures 

 and discussions on subjects relating to the management of the farm. 



The old year is past and gone ; we have entered now on a new year. Let us 

 endeavor to avoid our past errors, and strive to improve for the future by fore- 

 thought and industry; let us receive instruction from science, that it may be 

 applied in practice by a better understanding of nature's laws. We all should 

 heed any suggestion of our friends that will increase the yield of our crops or 

 our stock, or lessen the cost of production. A\^e also should learn the elements 

 of our soils, and the habits and changes of the insects that prey upon our crops, 

 orchards and gardens. 



How shall we cultivate our farms so that the production can be increased at 

 a profit? is an important question to all ; not only to the farmer and his fam- 

 ily, but to the mechanic, the merchant, and all classes of community; for 

 when there is a failure of the crops, all business comes to a stand and suffers 

 equally with farmers. Therefore it behooves us to learn the best and most 

 profitable methods of production, by increasing the fertility of the soil and 

 yield of our fields. Guess-work in farming seldom pays; nature's laws must 

 be observed if success is gained, and the farmer who understands his business 

 best is the most successful. 



Much has been said about the capital invested in banking, which is a little 

 more than three hundred million dollars ; but that is a less sum than the value 

 of the wheat crop of our country for a single season ; and if all tlie banks in the 

 United States were wiped out at once, the loss would not be as great as of a 

 crop of wheat. By this, an idea of the value of the productions of the soil can 

 be had when all are taken together. 



The committee on arrangement of the programme have endeavored to present 

 a variety of subjects which are important in their relation to the prosperity of 

 farmers. These will be responded to by those who are qualified to give insti'uc- 

 tion from experience. Discussion of the several subjects is invited. To you, 

 farmers, we expect advantages to result from the instruction here offered, and 

 hope that protit will come to you from this teaching. Treasure it up, that it 

 may be drawn upon and put in practice on your farms in the future. 



AVe have with us the President and several professors of our Agricultural 

 College, who have made a study of agriculture both in theory and practice, who 

 will lecture on subjects connected therewith. Gentlemen of our Agricultural 



