31 



REPORT OF THE VISITING COMMITTEE. 



The Committee appointed to visit as many of the towns in the 

 county as practicable, and report their observations for the ben- 

 efit of the Society, submit the following report : — 



Early in the season this Committee sent circulars to the Trus- 

 tees of the Society in all the towns of the county, in which circu- 

 lars they offered their services to examine whatever might be pre- 

 sented, and to meet the members of the Society for discussion and 

 mutual information upon any subject relating to the interests of 

 agriculture in the county. From several of the towns favorable 

 answers were received, and at appointed times the Committee 

 fulfilled the task they had assumed. They were cordially wel- 

 comed and hospitably entertained by the Trustees and other mem- 

 bers, and every facility was afforded them to learn the condition 

 of the agricultural interests in the several towns. They could not 

 but be gratified in noticing the evidences of thrift, order, comfort 

 and intelligence in many farmers' homes, where the people are 

 seen to the best advantage. The results of labor are here found 

 in the tranquil enjoyment of life under circumstances as favorable 

 as usually fall to the lot of mankind. There are but few positions 

 more desirable than that of a farmer, who owns the soil he culti- 

 vates, and is capable, by his education and means, of developing 

 its resources. He has a powerful and permanent motive to labor, 

 in the hope of leaving his farm in increased fruitfulness to his 

 children. 



To give the Society an idea of the impression which Avas made 

 upon us by our visits to a few scores of farmers, Ave make the fol- 

 lowing brief extracts from our notes, not Avith a vicAV to crops raised 

 or to specific improvements, — these Avill be noticed further on in 

 this Report, — but to convey our general ideas of the character of 

 farmers and appearance of farms at our examination of the vari- 

 ous premises. 



Mr. C, a thinking, reading, careful farmer, is making gradual 

 but thorough improvements in fields. Avails, buildings and stock. 

 Had a true farmer-like reception in his pleasant home ; also an 

 instructive interview Avith seven or eight townsmen. Made and 

 answered inquiries, found a good spirit, and obtained four new 

 members for the Society. 



Mr. P., a gentlemanly, shrewd and careful farmer, avIio im- 

 proves cautiously and makes money. 



iNFr. P., a thriving fanner, reclaims meadows, has fine fences 

 and buildings ; is a liard-working, judicious, calculating man, Avith 

 much of the genuine Yankee s[)irit. 



