22 INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 



conslderatian by the Trustees whether some increase in the number 

 and amount of the premiums for neat stock, or some special in- 

 ducements besides premiums, should not be attempted in order to 

 secure a fuller and better show in the cattle pens. A generous 

 public spirit should be appealed to, as well as a spirit of competi- 

 tion — a desire to benefit others as vieW as ourselves should be waked 

 up and stimulated — and, if need be, personal solicitation should be 

 made to the owners of choice animals to present them, even at 

 some cost and inconvenience, at our exhibitions. 



No entries of farms have been made this year, and but very 

 few for many years past, presenting a wide contrast in this respect 

 with the societies of Norfolk, Middlesex, and some other counties. 

 The committee on farms, however, have visited a number of farms 

 in different parts of the county, and the result of their examina- 

 tions will doubtless be given in their report. It has been suggested 

 that instead of a large committee, a supervisor of farms might be 

 appointed, whose travelling expenses, or a per diem allowance, 

 should be paid from the funds of the Society, and whose time and 

 services might thus be secured in making a more detailed survey of 

 the present condition of the landed interests of the county. By 

 such a survey much valuable information might be elicited, im- 

 provements suggested, and the agricultural economy and statistics 

 of one section of the county made known to the other — the thrift of a 

 few, and the means of their thrift, pointed out for the emulation of 

 all. 



The liberal premiums for mowing machines, ofiered by the Socie- 

 ty through the munificence of one of its members, have called out 

 a number of competitors, and have been the means of exhibiting 

 for the first time the operation of these machines to many of our 

 farmers. This implement marks a new era in agriculture — it aims 

 to dispense, to a large extent, with the laborious work of cutting 

 grass by the hand-scythe — and it is destined, it would seem, despite 

 the croakings of those who are alarmed at all innovations, to come 

 into general use. At all events, it will have a fair trial — imperfec- 

 tions will be remedied, and improvements introduced in its princi- 

 ples and constructions, and its comparative advantages will be 

 thoroughly tested. The report of the committee on this subject will 

 be looked for with eager interest. 



It is gratifying to. observe that the Society is rapidly growing in 



