196 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



democratic form of society which stimulates intelhgence and 

 rewards industry. 



The path of progress is open to all ; mind gains ground on 

 muscle, and a sense of strength and responsibility is imparted 

 by the success which attends exertion. 



As the citizen is more valuable than the producer, the man 

 than the laborer, that farming is of most worth to the vState, 

 which at once transforms the barren soil into fertile fields, and 

 the clownish day-laborer into a thriving free-holder. 



As patriots, members of a State chiefly honorable for its intel- 

 ligence and virtue, we should regard every other consideration 

 as light and trivial compared with the development of the man- 

 hood of our men — the strength and honor of those working 

 classes, who have borne us up on strong, willing hands through 

 the dangers of the past, as they shall through those of the future. 



In no part of this continent is there a more immediate and 

 favorable union of all interests than here. Manufacture 

 quickens agriculture, and agriculture supports manufacture. 

 From east to west, through the whole length of our borders, 

 the cities and crowding villages call for that varied garden 

 produce, that variety of grains, fruits and vegetables, which 

 makes every foot of land available, and prepares the way for the 

 diligence of many owners. 



Thus, while beauty joins itself to utility in our fields and 

 home grounds, virtue shall add itself to intelligence in the char- 

 acter of our citizens, and we be doubly blessed with lands that 

 yield their increase, and patriot hearts that give their strength 

 to the Commonwealth. 



The President. — Gentlemen of the Board of Agriculture, — I 

 would remind you that, with the close of this session, our meet- 

 ing closes. You have had, since Tuesday noon, some twenty 

 hours, and I must say that I have never known so much time so 

 profitably and so fully occupied as on this occasion. Now that 

 we are about to«go, let us carry home the information we have 

 received and disseminate it among the farmers around us. For 

 it is here that we get ideas that can be made practical in the 

 communities in which we live. 



I expect to meet a farmer's club Monday evening, and I shall 

 be pleased and gratified to make such a report as I can, and 



