ADDRESS. 265 



impart corresponding life and activity to every other de- 

 partment 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, w^e shall find a degraded population, 

 characterized by superstitious ignorance, poverty, and 

 crime. Every class of the community, therefore, has a 

 deep interest in promoting the improvement of the soil ; 

 and all should willingly contribute their aid towards en- 

 lightening, honoring, and rewarding those who are hon- 

 estly employed in its cultivation. 



With regard to the utility of Agricultural and Horti- 

 cultural Societies, much will depend upon the objects 

 which bring together their members. If they associate 

 for selfish purposes, merely to monopolize the spoils, and 

 withdraw whenever they are disappointed in their sinister 

 hopes, jealousies and apathy will ensue, and the associa- 

 tion will fall, as many under like circumstances have fall- 

 en, without public loss or public regret. But if the asso- 

 ciation is formed for mutual improvement, and in the be- 

 nevolent and patriotic desire to do a pubhc good, — to 

 stimulate and reward industry and enterprise, however 

 humble their condition, — and strives, by concentrated and 

 persevering efforts, to improve th^ condition of a district, 

 of a county, or a State, — then will it inspire public confi- 

 dence, obtain public support, and become a public bles- 

 sing. To illustrate this last proposition, I beg to refer to 

 some associations which have been tried, and whose la- 

 bors have been crowned with palpable and brilliant suc- 

 cess. 



The counties of Berkshire, Essex, and Worcester, in 

 Massachusetts, have each, for many years, maintained an 

 Agricultural Society ; and they each distribute ten or 

 twelve hundred dollars a year, one half of which is paid 

 out of the State treasury, in prizes to successful competi- 

 tors in the various departments of agricultural and house- 

 hold labor. It is said, and I believe whh truth, that 

 every dollar thus expended, has made a return of twenty 

 dollars, in the increase of agricultural products which it 

 has caused ; and so satisfied are the inhabitants of the 

 23 XV. 



