10 



that meed of praise which belongs to a few zealous, enter- 

 prising and public spirited men, who paved the way for 

 such an association as ours ; who did the rough work ; 

 who removed the rocks and stones, and grubbed up the 

 underbrush of prejudice and ignorance which lay in the path 

 we were to follow, sow the better seed, and reap the rich 

 harvest which the wisdom and sagacity of these noble pio- 

 neers foresaw was in store for those who should succeed 

 them. To fruits and flowers, to trees and shrubs and 

 gardening generally, they gave but little time, occupied as 

 they were in recording facts, and diffusing information upon 

 agricultural science. 



The imperious demands of man are food and raiment, 

 and it was the task of these great men to talk of improv- 

 ing our herds of cattle, and the fleeces of our sheep ; — 

 how to manage pasture-lands, and raise corn and wheat ; 

 — of the introduction of grasses and forage plants, the 

 -quality of manures, and all the details of farm improve- 

 ment. For a nation's greatness is in proportion as its 

 agriculture is flourishing; and to promote the noble art in 

 every way, both by precept and example, was the leading 

 aim of these disinterested and patriotic men. How much 

 they did and how invaluable were their long- continued 

 labors, we hav3 the best evidence in the exhibition of 

 superior products, and in the establishment of similar 

 associations in our own State, which had a powerful influ- 

 ence throughout the country. Yet horticulture was not 

 wholly overlooked ; no narrow lines confined the minds of 



