xxx .i Discourse on Agriculture* 



held out premiums for a variety of highly beneficial objects, 

 and, of our own motion, have bestowed some of them ; but 

 who has witnessed any emulative contest to gain them ?— 

 What other excitements to generous pride and emulation, 

 could be attempted ? To say nothing, in farther proof, of the 

 abortive attempts we have made to increase our funds. Pub- 

 lic opinion operates on public men ; and if there be no public 

 feeling, there is no legislative support or countenance. In all 

 the expressions of popular feeling or sentiment, which have 

 been brought forward during the perturbated period we have 

 lately passed through, who recollects any suggestions, that 

 agriculture required either improvement or support? Is not 

 this a most indubitable proof of apathy, or want of discern- 

 ment, on this subject ? Of commerce and manufactures we have 

 heard much ; and well do they merit what has been said for 

 their encouragement. But of their parent, agriculture, 

 almost a total silence has been observed ; — so far, at least, as 

 regards the assistance it requires from public, or individual 

 contribution and instruction. It is idle to conceal from our- 

 selves circumstances so forbidding and unpleasant. The few 

 efforts made to draw the public attention to the public interest, 

 on this topic, are not disregarded by these general observa- 

 tions, or their merit, in any degree, diminished. 



The former part of this address, made to comply, so far as 

 I am enabled, with your desire, was calculated to furnish ar- 

 guments and invitations, whatever may be their force, and to 

 impress and elicit the aid of every member of the society, in 

 some plan for enlisting the public opinion and feeling, into a 

 service so evidently necessary, and so conducive to the public 

 advantage. Until this is accomplished, it is vain to give 

 other " hints," for the advancement of the progress of agricul- 

 ture. My suggestions do not flow from any despondency I 

 feel on the subject; because, with proper exertions, the public 

 mind can be enlightened. And nothing would achieve this de- 

 sirable object so effectually, as the establishment of societies 

 for promoting the knowledge of its principles, and encoura- 

 ging and exemplifying its best modes of practice, in all quar- 

 ters of our country. Each should provide a small, but well 



