ADDKESS. 



Mr. President and Members of the Essex Ag-ricnltural 

 Society — Ladies and Gentlemen : — In accepting the invita- 

 tion from your Board of Officers to address you at this 

 time, I am reminded that they have not adhered to that 

 principle which has ever characterized their deliherations 

 when making their allotments, — as it has been their estab- 

 lished custom to recommend every man to his calling, — 

 and they must acknowledge that they were aware that I am 

 more accustomed to participating in that part of the day's 

 program just witnessed on yonder field, (The Ploughing 

 Match) than expounding on this momentous question of 

 such vital importance to the interests of mankind. But 

 having put my hand to "Tliis Plough" I will not turn back, 

 but accept the position with a due recognition of its honors ; 

 and as a farmer to an assemblage of farmers, I humbly ask 

 your indulgence while I refer to a few of the essential require- 

 ments necessary for the advancement of agriculture, and 

 briefly call your attention to a few of the many duties and 

 responsibilities which devolve on us as citizens and farmers. 



I repeat that your indulgence I crave ; and may your 

 criticisms be mild, for I realize that the duty solicited of 

 me to-day is excessive, and that to one more experienced 

 should have been intrusted the task to faithfully propound 

 and digest the required information bearing on this impor- 

 tant subject, before an audience whose motto has ever been 

 — improvement. And for this hour's contribution, you, 



