28 



(ll-tnnco, Avith its attcmlant ills, intervenes between producer and 

 coiisiinior. 



^VIlat L'lomciit then does Europe liick, Avliicli li.-is been conclusive lo 

 Amcriciin success? ^VIly does tiie cry of iigiicultural distress rise 

 from the eastern, rather than f'luni the western shores of" the Athiu- 

 lic? 



Tiie solution of the problem lies, I think, in the mai'velous fci'tilily, 

 not (if our prairie soils, but of our genius, and the assiduousness 

 with which it has been directed towai'd tlevising means for lightening 

 the labcu'S of the farnier, and |)laciny; at his command innumerable 

 implements for inci-easing his dominion over nature, and rendering 

 his efforts in his chosen profession more effective. 



The enormous advantages acciuing from the application to the arts 

 of labor saving machinery and methods, no words can describe ; and 

 when these means are devoted to the elevation of agriculture, from 

 which all other arts receive life, and whose vigor, or languor is im- 

 mediately manifest in the views of every industry, what wonder that 

 the calling stands on vantage ground against its European compeers. 



Recognizing the fact that only through the most approved labor 

 saving appliances could the art of husbandry reach the highest suc- 

 cess, the agricultural societies of oiu* country have done evcrytiiing 

 in their power to stimulate the improvements of implements entering 

 into the farmers' calling, and have sought to bring the cultivators of 

 the soil in contact with the manufacturers of inventions, tending to 

 add to the effectiveness of labor, either in the household or upon the 

 farm. Carrying out this idea the Hampshire Agricidtural Society 

 has ever siiK-e its organization annually appropriated a sum of money 

 to be divided among the most deserving exhibits of mechanic arts 

 and farm implements. Though the purse has necessarily been small, 

 it has inevitalily been of gi-eat importance to our agriculture. Not 

 that the premiums in themselves have been suflicicnt to attract 

 increased attention to the subject by our inventors, but the authorita- 

 tive recognitiou of meiit has both induced manufacturers to enter 

 their wares, and bi'ought farmers into direct contact with the improve- 

 ments, thus causing an increased demand and u-e of the implements, 

 residting in satisfactory remuneration to the producers of the article, 

 and of invaluable aid to our agriculture. 



Notwithstanding the vast importance of improved tools upon the 

 farm, and the innovation wrought through their advent, there are 



