116 QUARTERLY JOURNAL. 



which the appropriation was made by the sta^e, but tbe legisla- i 

 ture at their last session have renewed the grant, and we may look < 

 with confidence for continued zeal and increasing prosperity ant .■; 

 usefulness, unless, among other fruits, some apple of discord shouU 

 find its way into the concern. 



For each of the past four years, the Society has made a repor 

 of its doings and those of the county societies. These form th( 

 volumes whose title is placed at the head of this article. Witl 

 some portions of these books we might lawfully find much fault 

 But we will pass that by for the present, lest in denouncing indi 

 vidual errror, we should be accused of being inimical to thewlioh 

 What fault we have found above, we were, for this reason half ir 

 clined to blot out after it was written. But, as Pilate sai( 

 " what I have written I have written." 



And we will close this article with a few suggestions to sue 

 individuals as have the management of the numerous Fairs that c 

 cur annually in the various parts of this state. _ 



1. Would it not be well to diminish the number of premiuij| 

 on animals, and increase the number and amount of those on tl 

 products of the farm and garden, and household manufacture 

 The reasons for this suggestion are, in few words, these : The o 

 ject of premiums ought to be to encourage and stimulate the re 

 farmers — those who live by tilling the soil. Men of large fortun 

 can pay enormous prices for fine horses or high bred cattle, ai 

 can always carry off the prize, although it is a matter of no col 

 sequence to them, inasmuch as they have purchased them for thif 

 own pleasure and use. In these the common farmer can offer ij 

 competition. But in the products of the soil he can vie with tj 

 wealthiest, if he will study his business, and especially if the pi 

 depends upon the economical production of a crop. The interle*^ 

 of the country also, we think, require this, for the direct prodi" 

 of the soil is of the first importance in the support of the peop 



2. We would suggest the offering of premiums, and so large 

 to attract proper attention, on new articles of culture. It is liigl 

 probable that by this means those soils which have ceased to b( 

 their former burdens might be made to produce abundant cro 

 and thus add to the wealth and happiness of the nation. 



3. Complaints are sometimes made of favoritism in conferri 

 prertiiums. This might be avoided by having all articles numbei 



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