21 



Kfe and animation to your annual exhibitions, into l^Iie most «^ls«- 

 tant points ot" the union, the more yovii" patriotic exertions aro 

 appreciated. With these truths in view, and in a full knowl- 

 edge how far this immediate connnunity have been benefitted 

 by the visible and increasing good effects resulting iron) a laud- 

 able excitement in every direction ; every farmer in this coun- 

 ty must be dead to his own interest, dead to the honor of Berk- 

 shire, not 10 contribute iiis mite to a general fund, on which, a^ 

 lone, must depend the existi^ncc of this society. 



Some have supposed it indispensible that a literary character 

 sliould always preside over this institution. This is a mistake. 

 Since it is not necessary a formal address should be annually 

 made. Any plain, respectable farmer, of sound iniormation, of 

 enlarged and liberal views, can with equal propriety discharge 

 the necessary functions, by an annual communicaiion, simply 

 confined to your progressive improvements in agriculture and 

 manufactures, to be read by your Secretary, and published for 

 general information. Since practical experiments are the es- 

 sential points in view, the more simple your future course, and 

 the less ostentatious, the greater will be popular confidence. 



The only effectual measure to keep your wheels in motion is 

 to oil them. Oil them, by an exact puncluality in your volun- 

 tary engagements. A few annual drops of this oil, from each 

 farmer, will, I stand pledged, cvitntually overs}ire<,id tiiis coun? 

 ty with wealth and happiness. 



To ensure wjth greater certainty the necessary funds, per- 

 haps it may he found expedient and prt)per to reduce fiie num- 

 ber of your premiums, and in the same view to confine them, 

 in each succes;-.;vi^ year, aiiernateiy, either to Agriculture or to 

 Manuiaclures exclusively. The present distressed situation of 

 this touritry and England, is full evidence that we musi fall 

 back on our native resouices, to a certain point. Aliliougn tne 

 shelves of our merchants, and tiie'stores of our Custom-H'jU:-ies, 

 are loaded v/itn foreig!) manufactures, estimated at the frigiuful 

 sum of 200 millions of dollars, and selling at half their ii^iin- 

 sic value — although we are standing on the verge of a preci- 

 pice, which threatens universal desolation in the mercantile 

 and manufactuiing world, yet ii is gcateful to the patriot's eye, 

 to see so large a propoition of this respectable assembiai;-c clad 

 in homespun, on the increase of which, we must cvenujally 

 build our prosperity — our substantial indtjiendcnce. In a word, 

 my friends, we must practice the salutary lesson of ccoia.njy — . 

 we must retrace the humble footstejjs of otir ancestors, or be 

 cnalaved to our credirors at home and abroad. Tht oniv pi'ido 

 of our females in ti;ese glcon)) times [awil much depends on 

 their example) should he^ to be attired in llie woi ks of their own 

 hands, and to see their fathers, tiicir hu hands, their brothers, 

 nay, their snuect-hcarts., marching by their sides, clothed in 

 homet-Jmn also, of their uwri makn.'i^.* \_pce A'oSc,22d fia^e.'] 



