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few exceptions, an inactive and thankless constituency at home. It 

 is, however, most consolatory to remark, that the practical operations 

 of this and the county societies have awakened a spirit of emulation 

 and enquiry among the mass of our farmers which, although slow in 

 its growth, must ultimately be crowned with the most gratifying re- 

 sults. 



Nor is the inactivity complained of, perhaps, unnatural on the part 

 of the agricultural class. Engaged in a retired and domestic occupa- 

 tion ; unusued to habits of professional association, of which they 

 have not been taught the necessity, nor felt the stimulating influence, 

 they have neglected to adopt that combined action which distinguish 

 the other professions, and is the main spring to their success in the 

 improvement which they so rapidly accomplish. But we are ascer- 

 taining that this system of association, in order to advance to any 

 high degree of improvement also, we must effectually practice ; for 

 it is only to the habits of inquiry, and examination of whatever sub- 

 ject he may have in hand, that gives success to the master of any occu- 

 pation whatever. Why is it the fact and fact it is that many of the 

 best and most successful farmers in our country are those, who, bred 

 to other pursuits, and toiled in them to middle age and many far be- 

 yond it till from inclination, or necessity, they have embraced agri- 

 culture as an occupation, with a determination to succeed ? It is be- 

 cause investigation has been the habit of their lives. They do no- 

 thing without a good and satisfactory reason for doing it. They bend 

 every faculty of the mind to acquire success in this, as they did in 

 their previous pursuits ; and the application of the same intelligence 

 upon the farm that had there been exerted, produced the same results, 

 although their early education and subsequent labors had kept them 

 in profound ignorance of the simplest rules of practical agriculture. 

 The most gratifying success has been thus accomplished, while he, 

 who has from childhood tilled his paternal acres in obstinate and per- 



