10 Our Present System of Agriculture ; [January, 



And too frequently these exhibitions are managed so as to make the 

 chief interest to consist in feats of horsemanship, or some more ridiculous 

 device to catch the multitude, such as a general baby show, a device 

 well worthy the conception of the Prince of Humhugs ; the excuse being 

 uniformly that no other course will ixtij. 



Certainly no very flattering compliment to their intelligence. While 

 then, agricultural societies and such like instrumentalities can and may, 

 when properly conducted, do much, they never can radically reach or 

 remove the evil complained of. Many are disposed to trust in the general 

 improvement of the country, and to its numerous commercial facilities, 

 and perhaps, more especially, to its advancement in the useful arts for 

 the improvement demanded. 



But so far from this improving our tillage it has directly the opposite 

 tendency. True industry is greatly stimulated thereby, and our far- 

 mers are led to add field to field, and greatly to increase their produc- 

 tions. But the improvements in farm implements, modes of transit by 

 railroad, river, lake, &c., as well as the increased demand from abroad 

 for our breadstufi"s, serve but to open increased facilities, and to call 

 into requisition new agencies for robbing more efiectually and speedily 

 the productive elements- of the soil. Such farming may build up cities 

 and enrich monopolies, but it will impoverish our lands and destroy their 

 productive agency, the great efi'ort being to secure the largest return 

 with the least possible labor. 



The great misfortune in all this process is that the destruction is so 

 gradual as not to be appreciated ; and the motives of the multitude are 

 so gross and groveling that while they may be led to see the aggravated 

 wrong, they will not use the proper correctives within their knowledge. 

 Our maxim is, " get what you can, let posterity take care of themselves, 

 they have done nothing for us." 



Another method has been recommended, and in some parts of our coun- 

 try, has been adopted with success, viz : the appointment of lecturers 

 who shall give proper scientific instruction to those disposed to listen. 

 But two important difficulties meet us here : first, to secure men that 

 are qualified to lecture ; and the second, no less insurmountable, to find 

 interest and capability enough in communities to appreciate the infor- 

 mation given. 



Indeed, it is apprehended that little will be done in this direction until 

 science herself is divested of many of her crudities, and many of her 

 applications, as yet of doubtful propriety, are more fully tested by expe- 

 riment by men capable of such a task. Science, applied science, has as 

 yet made but little advance in agriculture. Our scientific men are 



