130 HAMPSHIRE, FRANKLIN AND 



Stock. 



At our last meeting, your committee adverted to the favorable 

 opportunities afforded by the annual gatherings, for the inter- 

 change of opinion, and a more diffused knowledge of successful 

 experiment, and they urged the importance of giving publicity 

 to all new discoveries. It is pleasing to know, that a similar 

 sentiment was entertained by Washington. That illustrious 

 man was elected, in 1786, the first honorary member of the South 

 Carolina Agricultural Society, and, in his letter acknowledging 

 the attention, he says, "it is much to be wished, that every 

 state in the Union would establish a society similar to this ; and 

 that these societies would correspond with each other, and fully 

 and regularly impart the results of experiments actually made 

 in husbandry, together with such other useful discoveries, as 

 have stood, or are likely to stand, the test of investigation." To 

 another he writes, "I think that the life of a husbandman, of 

 all others, is the most delightful. It is honorable, it is amusing, 

 and, with judicious management, it is profitable. To societies 

 which have been formed for the encouragement of agriculture, 

 is the perfection to which husbandry has now arrived in England, 

 indebted. It is from experiment, and not from theory, that in- 

 dividuals derive useful knowledge, and the public a benefit." 



It is not the province of your committee, to discuss the pro- 

 cess of raising stock at any length, but they think it is within 

 the scope of their duty, to point out the sources whence valua- 

 ble information may be derived. A very useful book has re- 

 cently been published, treating of this and kindred matters, 

 which, having perused it attentively, they hesitate not to recom- 

 mend to your attention. It is entitled, " A brief Compend of 

 American Agriculture," by R. L. Allen. A considerable space 

 in it is devoted to the subject of breeding, nutrition, and man- 

 agement of domestic animals. 



The present was the best exhibition of teams, that has ever 

 been offered since the formation of the society. The Conway 

 team was preeminent for the size, beauty and symmetry of the 

 cattle, and they were well matched. While their general beauty 



