JUDCJE BUEL'S ADDRLSS. 307 



amount of honey in a hive depends not upon the num- 

 ber of bees which it contains, but upon the labour and 

 skill of the working bees. The farmer virtually pro- 

 vides for the other classes, and is, at the same time, 

 their principal patron and customer ; and, although 

 his labours are too often held to be low and menial by 

 those who cannot or will not appreciate their value, 

 his condition affords the best criterion by which to 

 judge of the welfare of those around him. No coun- 

 try can long flourish, or preserve its moral and physi- 

 cal health, whose agriculture is neglected and degra- 

 ded. The amount of a farmer's sales and of his 

 purchases will depend upon the profits of his labour. 

 Double these by an improved system of husbandry, 

 which I feel assured can be done, and which has 

 been far more than realized in many old districts of 

 our country, and you will double the substantial 

 wealth of the neighbourhood, and impart correspond- 

 ing life and activity to every other department of 

 business. If we look to Spain, to Portugal, to a 

 great portion of Italy, to South America, or any 

 other country where agriculture is neglected, or 

 holds but a subordinate rank, we shall find a de- 

 graded population, characterized by superstitious ig- 

 norance, poverty, and crime. Every class of the 

 community, therefore, has a deep interest in pro- 

 moting the improvement of the soil ; and all should 

 willingly contribute their aid towards enlightening, 

 honouring, and rewarding th^se who are honestly 

 employed in its cultivation. 



With regard to the utility of agricultural and hor- 

 ticultural societies, much will depend upon the ob- 

 jects which bring their members together. If they 

 associate for selfish purposes, merely to monopolize 

 the spoils, and withdraw whenever they are disap- 

 pointed in their sinister hopes, jealousies and apathy 

 will ensue, and the association will fall, as many 

 under like circumstances have fallen, without pub- 

 lic loss or public regret. But if the association be 



