272 UTILITX- OF AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 



of their profession already, and that they therefore stand 

 in no need of any additional light upon it. Considering 

 these things it is not so much to be wondered at, that 

 there are not more persons belonging to these societies. 



It is greatly to be desired, that the prejudices which 

 still exist in the minds of some, against agricultural so- 

 cieties, may soon give place to a full conviction of their 

 utility, and it is incumbent on us to neglect no opportu- 

 nity of pointing out and endeavouring to convince our 

 fellow-citizens of the advantages of such institutions. — 

 It is to be hoped, that those who really possess the means 

 of contributing, will, instead of relaxing in the noble 

 ■work, increase the support which they have been in 

 use to afford, and that farmers in general will see the 

 propriety of becoming members of them. 



We conclude, by quoting Washington's opinion of Ag- 

 ricultural societies. He remarks : It will not be doubt- 

 ed, that with reference either to individual or national 

 welfare, agriculture is of primary importance. In pro- 

 portion as nations advance in population and other cir- 

 cumstances of maturity, this truth becomes more appa- 

 rent, and renders the cultivation of the soil more and 

 more an object of pubUc patronage. Institutions for 

 promoting it, grow up, supported by the public purse : 

 and to what objects can it be dedicated with greater 

 propriety ? Among the means vvhich have been em- 

 ployed to this end, none have been attended with 

 greater success than the establishment of Boards, com- 

 posed of proper characters, charged with collecting 

 and diffusing information, and enabled by premiums 

 and small pecuniary aids, to encourage and assist a 

 spirit of discovery and improvement. This species 

 of establishment contributes doubly to the increase 

 of improvement, by drawing to a common centre the 

 results, every where, of individual skill and observa- 

 tion, and spreading them over the nation. Experience, 

 accordingly has shown, that they are very cheap instru- 

 ments of immense national benefit. 



