MICHIGAN STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 113 



old-fashioned, clumsy harrow. To-day we see not only improve- 

 ments in agricultural implements, but in the cultivation of 

 the soil, as a consequence, and in the quantity and quality of 

 everything that is grown upon the farm. While we live in a 

 day of progress, in no other branch, in no other pursuit of life, 

 has this progress been more marked, more telling, than in that 

 great and noble calling, the cultivation of tlie soil. 



The knowledge Ave possess, the larger part of the knowledge 

 ■we possess or that is practiced by us all, has been obtained in 

 our intercourse with one another. Now, fellow citizens, in 

 every brancli of agriculture progress has marked the day, but 

 in no one branch has this improvement, perhaps, been more 

 marked than in that of the cultivation of fruit. 



If I remember aright, Mr. President, it is about twenty 

 years since the formation of the American Pomological Soci- 

 ety. But look to-day throughout the length and breadth of 

 our land, at the agricultural, horticultural and pomological 

 societies existing from north to south, and from east to west. 

 The object of these societies is to bring together the people, 

 especially those who are engaged, — I will not say who are 

 interested, because I trust every man and every woman within 

 the sound of my voice is interested, whether they are pursuing 

 the calling of agriculture or not, — but it is to bring together 

 the people, and those who are so engaged, that they may com- 

 pare together the practice of farm, orchard, and garden, for 

 the purpose of showing improvements. 



If there is any one calling, if there is any pursuit in- 

 tended by the Creator of ail things for the special benefit of 

 mankind ; if there is any one pursuit more ennobling to man 

 than any other, that pursuit is the cultivation of the soil. 

 [Applause.] 



Now, fellow citizens, I shall not detain you or v/eary you 

 with any remarks of mine, but I do most heartily congratu- 

 late you upon the evidence I have seen to-day, of the improve 

 ment of this portion of our noble Peninsula State. I have 

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