SECRETARY'S REPORT. 389 



product of the farm ; and tlie price of land is too liigli, for the 

 business to be followed profitably. We cannot compete with the 

 three States north of us, whore land is cheap, hay, in most 

 cases, without a market, and where the finest horses raised in 

 the country can be found at prices which defy competition. 



Before closing this report, I wish to call the attention of all 

 interested to the importance of carrying out the leading object 

 that the legislature had in view in giving large bounties for the 

 encouragement of agriculture. I would ask if the various 

 societies, through their officers, endeavor to do all in their 

 power, by the judicious offer of premiums, and in the general 

 management of exhibitions, to help and stimulate the work- 

 ing farmer ; him who supports his family and educates his 

 children from the profits of the farm ? Do not too many of the 

 officers, in the arrangement of premiums, <fcc., evidently con- 

 sider, principally, how they can make the show profitable, pecu- 

 niarily ? This object, I think, has been the inducement to 

 make the horse the leading attraction, in some instances almost 

 ignoring tlie cattle, and surely tending to disgust the working 

 farmer. It has been the means of establishing new associations 

 that would pay more attention to his interests. This division 

 of societies has had an injurious effect upon the older institu- 

 tions, decreasing their patronage, and having a tendency to 

 alienate them more and more from the true object of their 

 organization, leading to the encouragement of objects of doubtful 

 utility, until it has become a serious question with many whether 

 the money paid by the State to the societies is a profitable 

 investment for the Commonwealth. 



It sccnis hardly probable that there is a society existing within 

 the limits of the State, which may not be made a useful and 

 profitable institution to the farmers associated with it, and to 

 the whole community ; the legitimate object of these associations 

 is not to make money, but to advance the cause of agriculture, 

 and help the farmer in his vocation ; by calling his attention to 

 improved breeds of live stock, farming implements, labor-saving 

 machines, fruits, vegetables, &c., and giving him, through prac- 

 tical addresses, the reports of committees and secretaries, valua- 

 ble information as to the best manner of cultivating his crops, 

 managing his stock, &c., &c. 



