INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 21 



An increased interest has been given to tlie annual meetings 

 of the Society, for several years, by the presence of distinguish- 

 ed gentlemen from other Counties. Such an interchange of 

 civilities is worthy of encouragement, and may be the means 

 of much improvement. Within the year, more than forty 

 have been added to tbe list of members. When the facts are 

 taken into view, that there are many towns in the Connty, 

 from which no additions have been made for tbe last twenty 

 years ; — and that those who were then members have now 

 passed their period of active labor, and that the population of 

 these towns in the mean time has nearly doubled : it must be 

 apparent, that there are many, who would find their account, 

 in uniting their efibrts, for the advancement of a cause, admit- 

 ted by all, to be the basis of public prosperity. Much pains 

 have been taken to establish a library, for the use of the mem- 

 bers, which is accessible to all, and from which much good is 

 anticipated. The time is gone by, when book knowledge is 

 to be viewed as of no value. Books contain the essence of all 

 that is valuable in knowledge. And he that has the skill to 

 use them to advantage is likely to be most wise. This is par- 

 ticularly true of an employment that spreads itself in such an 

 infinite variety of ramifications as the cultivation of the soil. 

 So true is it that he who learns most in relation thereto, sees 

 most to be learned. 



It is to be hoped that the plan in contemplation for matur- 

 ing a system of agricultural instruction will receive some defi- 

 nite form in the course of the present year. When this is 

 done, the farmers of Essex should not be unmindful of their 

 rights and interest in this matter. 



