MR. gage's address. 23 



tion to soils, there is much room for the apphcation 

 of scientific principles ; and tlie farmer would find his 

 account, in this relation, in reading faithfully scientific 

 works on agriculture, if such reading gave him no 

 other valuable instruction. 



Astonishing effects have been produced in England 

 and Scotland, by the use of bone manure. 



The most efficient manner in which dignity and 

 popularity can be given to agriculture, is to have the 

 gentler sex interested in the duties appropriate to the 

 farmer's domestic arrangements. The names of La- 

 dies eminent for their strong domestic taste, have 

 been embalmed in the memory of generations. And 

 the numerous specimens, both useful and ornamental, 

 of female skill and workmanship, which have been 

 exhibited, give ample and gratifying proof that your 

 wives and daughters sympathize in your eflforts for 

 improvement ; and while you are enriching and adorn- 

 ing your farms, they are anxious to make your 

 homes happy by the exercise of their taste and inge- 

 nuity, as well as by their smiles of aflfection and con- 

 tentment. 



A prominent difficulty, in advancing a general im- 

 provement in the husbandry of the great body of 

 farmers, arises from an attachment to existing usages, 

 and a dread of innovations. A disposition to adhere 

 to estabhshed usages, though answering some good 

 purposes, yet indulged too far, becomes an effectual 

 barrier to progress. Did farmers reflect, that estab- 

 hshed usages, that all well-proved improvements, in 

 all departments, — ploughing, inoculation, printing, 

 the use of steam, canals, rail-roads, courts, juries. 



