20 (Senate 



nutritious and healthy. They now probably sustain a larger portion 

 of human beings in Christendom than even bread, once deemed the 

 " staff of life." 



Our raking and threshing machines have lessened labor one-half. 

 The statistics of markets show that the average weight of cattle is 

 constantly increasing. This is evidenced by prize cattle, which a 

 century ago were only about half the weight of the prize cattle of 

 the present day. The agriculturist may profit by the examples of 

 the mechanic and manufacturer. Their zeal for knowledge and per- 

 severance in improvements, have multiplied their productions ten 

 fold, whilst the general improvements in fanning have advanced 

 with a very tardy pace. Every mechanical improvement is watched 

 and adopted, while among many, knowledge and improvement in 

 husbandry are yet sneered at as impracticable and visionary. 



Something is wanted to induce a free intercourse among our in- 

 telligent farmers, to which their scattered condition and confining 

 occupation is a natural hindrance. It is in contemplation to form a 

 Farmers' Club, provided with a suitable place for regular monthly 

 meetings, between certain hours of the day, where both city and 

 country farmers may come together and freely receive and commu- 

 nicate information. As our city is continually the resort of farmers 

 from this and other States, these social meetings, no doubt, 

 v^rould be well attended. Information will thus be collected easily 

 and naturally from all parts of the country, and as easily and natu- 

 rally diffused. The influences of these clubs have been eminently 

 favorable in other places. By these means, much useful agricultural 

 knowledge has been spread before the public. Such a club, under 

 the auspices of the American Institute in the city of New-York, 

 cannot fail of success. Its general effects would be favorable to the 

 multiplication of valuable acquaintances and friends, and forming 

 mutual friendships between city and country agricultural gentlemen, 

 and thus tend to counteract those jealousies which sometimes exist 

 between populous cities and the country, and teach both what will 

 continue to be an everlasting truth, that their great and essential in- 

 terests are one and the same. At all times, every day in the year, 

 farmers will be welcomed at the Repository of the Institute; with 

 the reading room of modern periodicals, as already described, open 

 for their use. It is also the design of the Institute to make large 



