6 



Dishley, 8 lbs. ; of the Cotswold, 9 lbs. ; and of the South Downs 2 1-2 11 s. , of the 

 Cheviot 3 lbs, to a fleece. It is stated in another work that a Mr. Selhir, by dint 

 of persevering attention to the choice of rams, the change of herbage and placing 

 the sheep at different ages upon appropriate pasture, together with supplies of artifi- 

 cial food in the pinching seasons of the year, has raised the average wool of the Chev- 

 iot race to 4 and 4 1-2 lbs. per fleece. 



I have known cases of as remarkable improvement here. They show emphatically 

 how much a farmer's success depends on enterprise, care, and skill. 



I ought to say, in this place, that Mr. Webster is in no respect whatever, responsi- 

 ble for the Notes attached to his address. With the exception of those on beans 

 and vetches, he lias not seen them. H. C. 



(Note I. — p. 36.) Agricultural Statistics. 



EXTRACTS FROM THE MEMORIAL OF THE COMMISSIONER OF 



AGRICULTURAL SURVEY TO THE LEGISLATURE OF 



MASSACHUSETTS, FEBRUARY 17, 1S40. 



The domestic industry of the State, and especially its agriculture, in its connexion 

 with national wealth, with the comforts of every class and condition of its people, 

 and with good morals, has claims to the most liberal encouragement and patronage 

 of the government. 



In a faithful and enlightened regard to Agriculture, Massachusetts has eminent- 

 ly distinguished herself among her sister states. In her endowments and annual 

 bounties to agricultural societies, in her geological and agricultural surveys, anil in 

 her premiums offered for the production of wheat, silk, and sugar, she has made a 

 generous provision for the encouragement of this great and useful art; and with a 

 sound discretion has expended money, which has already given back, and is in the 

 process of making, the most abundant returns. 



It wems to your memorialist, exceedingly important that some mode should be 

 adopted i a ascertain, with as much exactness as the nature of the case admits, the 

 actual products of agriculture within the State. True political economy differs not 

 at all, except ii. t| lc extent of its application, from true household, private, or do? 

 rnestic economy. T^e wise merchant or farmer will seek to possess himself in the 

 most exact manner of tlh. knowledge of his condition, his stock in trade, his income, 

 his expenditures, his gains, hV l osses> alu ] tne actual results of his business. A state 

 or political community should i.- like manner become acquainted with its actual 

 condition, and especially with all the .^plications and results of its industry; for 

 this is indeed the great source of its weak... t | le nght arm of its power, the only 

 true foundation of its independence. It should Vocome acquainted with its own ca- 

 pacities and powers; and learn how far they are calltU out, how they are applied 

 how they may be best applied, and to what extent she inny rely upon thenv and 

 especially how far she may rely upon them for the supply of he* necessary wants, and 

 to what extent and in what way they may be made the foundation of social wealth 

 and independence. 



Every part of the civilized world seems to have waked up to the importance and 

 value of statistical information ; and no knowledge is likely to lead to more-useful 

 practical results. The smaller the community, the more directly practical and effi- 

 cient is such knowledge. The statistical returns of the mechanical and manufac- 



