100 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



only one cent less per quart, than our price, but the cost of 

 raising is not one-quarter of what it costs us." 



It is estimated that the net income from the farms of Essex 

 County, does not average more than one hundred dollars each, 

 annually. Here, also, it is generally admitted that had man- 

 agement is the cause of the difficulty, and in many towns in 

 the county where the land is properly cultivated, farmers have 

 realized an honorable competency. 



The facts which have been presented, and the reflections 

 suggested by them, seem to furnish a satisfactory answer to the 

 objection so frequently urged against farming, — that it is not 

 proiitable, — and it must be conceded, I think, that the skilful 

 farmer is as likely to receive an adequate return for his labor, 

 as any other member of the community. It should be remem- 

 Ijered, also, that want of management and skill in any other 

 calling, mechanical or commercial, subjects the individual con- 

 cerned, to disappointment and failure. 



These are some of the points on which inquiries have been 

 made, not as embracing all that was desired, but being as 

 extended as circumstances made it practicable. 



It seems proper, in this connection, to make some reference 

 to the " Farmers' Clubs," which have already been established 

 in some parts of the State. Probably they will do more to 

 satisfy the wants of the thinking minds, which now form a large 

 class in our community, than any thing else which can be devised. 



About twenty of tliese clubs have been organized in different 

 towns in the Commonwealth, and the results of their past 

 exertions show that much may be expected from their future 

 labors. By their efforts, a greater interest in agricultural 

 pursuits, and a more earnest spirit of emulation and enterprise 

 Jias been aroused, and much useful information has been diffused 

 in their neighborhood. In most of the towns where they exist, 

 tlie inquiries made in the circular given above, were made a 

 subject of discussion, and committees were appointed to gather 

 reliable statistics, which were submitted to the club. From 

 these statistics were drawn up the answers sent to the Secretary, 

 and thus the most active minds of the whole town were engaged 



