SECRETARY'S REPORT. 101 



in tlie preparation of tlic replies. Returns thus carefully'and 

 deliberately prepared, are entitled to as much confidence as if 

 they had been official. 



If there were such a club in every town, composed of enter- 

 prising and intelligent men, fully conscious of the wants and 

 deficiencies by which progress in their occupation is impeded, 

 some system might be arranged by which the most valuable 

 agricultural statistics from the different parts of the State could 

 be laid before the Board every year, digested and distributed 

 for the use of all who would be benefited by them. Such 

 information is of the utmost importance, if we desire to direct 

 our industry into the most profitable channels. Probably, if 

 there were a general law, authorizing the incorporation of such 

 clubs, under certain conditions, with the right to hold a limited 

 amount of property, and to draw a small sum from the treasury 

 after an equal sum had been raised by the club, the income to 

 be applied to the procuring of such books and such other facili- 

 ties for gaining information as should be found desirable, a 

 much larger number of these ^- clubs would be instituted. All 

 reasonable requisitions on the part of the Commonwealth, in 

 regard to returns, would gladly be complied with. Thus we 

 might secure the annual return of all the statistics that are now 

 obtained only at long intervals, and many more besides. In 

 this way we might bring to the minds of many, important facts 

 which cannot now be obtained. 



A library of suitable agricultural works, accessible to all, 

 would, of itself, be of inestimable value to the young. The 

 slightest circumstance often gives a decided turn to the charac- 

 ter and whole life of an individual. Elevate farming as a 

 pursuit — render it attractive by bringing mind to bear upon its 

 labors, and making it something more than the exertion of mere 

 brute physical force — and fewer complaints will be heard from 

 those who follow it. Then the attention of young men will be 

 turned to its advantages, and the aversion they now feel will 

 be succeeded by a love for it. The mind of youth is ever 

 active, inquiring, and fond of investigation. If its energies are 

 directed into proper channels, they work for the prosperity of 

 the State ; if not, the individual and the community must alike 

 suffer for the neglect. 



