a State Society of Agriculture* xxix 



But when the experience of our people is aided and brought 

 to a point, by an union of facts and the ingenuity of intelli- 

 gent men, now too much dispersed to be drawn into system, 

 it is to be expected, with the surest prospects of success, 

 that our difficulties on this head will be abated, if not over- 

 come. The manufacture of potash, and the products of the 

 sugar-maple, may be objects of the attention of the society. 

 More profitable modes ol applying labour will hereby be pro- 

 moted, and returns for expence, in the preparation for cul- 

 ture, be obtained. Facilities for clearing lands may be dis- 

 covered. Minerals, earths and fossils now either unknown or 

 neglected, may be brought into use, or become objects of 

 commerce. In fine, no adequate calculation can be formed 

 of the effects which may be produced by a consolidation of 

 the efforts, and even speculations, of our citizens, whose in- 

 terests will stimulate them to exertion. Channels of com- 

 munication will be established, and the whole will receive 

 the benefits arising from a collection of the thoughts and la- 

 bours of individuals, whose minds will be turned to a sub- 

 ject so engaging and profitable, as well to themselves as to 

 their country. 



It is much to be regretted, that the excellent plan pro- 

 posed in the foregoing outline, was not acted upon and car 

 ried into effect by the legislature to which it was presented. 

 At some future period, it is to be hoped, that the impor- 

 tance of the measure will be duly estimated, and properly 

 encouraged by our state government. Those who consider 

 the effect of witnessing good practices, must be convinced, 

 that no.- measure within the reach of man, would tend so 

 completely to improve the agriculture of the state as a pat- 

 tern farm. A similar establishment, though upon the plan 

 of subscription was proposed by Sir John Sinclair, in Lon- 

 don, in the year 1800, but was not carried into effect, A 

 national farm was established by the French government in 



