140 PLYMOUTH AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



ences. No other means have proved as effective, in carrying 

 forward improvements. That the inventors of labor-saving 

 implements, and of new and easy methods of intercourse among 

 mankind, should be distinguished with honors and emoluments, 

 seems to be universally admitted. That improvements in the 

 art of cultivating the earth can properly be made the founda- 

 tions of similar distinctions, some will not merely doubt, but 

 positively deny. There seems to be an impression, on certain 

 minds, that we were born with all the knowledge necessary for 

 farmers, or have acquired it in witnessing, as all of us, to some 

 extent, must, the practice of the art. A prejudice of this kind 

 is likely to grow in a country where the soil is free to the acqui- 

 sition of all the citizens, and where nearly all possess a portion of 

 it. The very circumstance, which should induce strong desires of 

 advancement in knowledge, is made the foundation of a blind- 

 ing self-confidence, and an almost unconquerable attachment to 

 usages pregnant with labor, and tending to poverty. 



It is very difficult leading any mxind in the pursuit of truth, 

 which is resting in the persuasion, that all to be desired 

 has already been attained. Something of this difficulty must 

 be encountered in all our labors, to advance knowledge in the 

 arts of culture. We should endeavor to establish, and undevi- 

 atingly pursue, methods calculated to allay prejudices and con- 

 quer existing aversion to the adoption of new modes of culture. 

 Too much must not, at first, be required. Philosophic, like 

 Christian truths, should be imparted as men are able to bear 

 them. Perfection should, indeed, be the point of ultimate as- 

 piration, but that point can be reached only in gradual ad- 

 vances. Every system of premiums should be framed with 

 some reference to the views and the knowledge possessed by 

 men in the locality in which it is intended to operate. 



The most liberal provisions should be made to call attention 

 to subjects intimately connected with the interests and suste- 

 nance of the whole population. In the varied soils and cli- 

 mates of this country, Avith the facilities of intercourse enjoyed, 

 it is not to be expected that any single county will cultivate 

 every article required by the wants of the inhabitants. It 

 would not be prudent to attempt it. Changes of the most nat- 



