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might not be invented. In the western part of the 

 state, this operation is performed by a dog or sheep 

 travelling on a horizontal wheel, by which the power is 

 communicated to the churn — but our dairies are so small 

 that manual labor must, probably, be retained here for 

 this purpose. A churn, the dashers of which are mov- 

 ed by a set of cog-wheels, has recently been devised by 

 one of our mechanics, but its advantages can be tested 

 only by repeated trials and experienced hands. The 

 plow has deservedly received a large share of mechan- 

 ical ingenuity, in bringing it to its present improved 

 condition ; but there are other important implements of 

 agricultural industry which still wear out strength and 

 patience for want of this aid. Let improvements in these 

 be brought under the actual inspection of our farmers 

 or their wives, and, if convinced of their reality, they 

 will not be slow to adopt them. 



I would here allude to one general means of agricul- 

 tural improvement, which, I believe, has not been suffi- 

 ciently appreciated, — the personal visitation of farms 

 that are distiaguished for good managem.ent in general, 

 or for excellence in any specific department. True, 

 we have our annual Agricultural Exhibitions, and they 

 accomplish great good in stimulating to exertion and 

 imitation of worthy examples. But at these results are 

 exhibited, without an actual exhibition, except in the 

 case of the ploughing match, of the means and modes 

 by which they have been attained. This is well, as far 

 as it goes, and the publication of the transactions of our 

 societies is well — but it is an old saying and a true one, 

 that "seeing is believing." Now this ''seeing,'' this 

 actual inspection of excellence, is what we must have, 

 if we would successfully imitate it. It is not enough to 

 contemplate the face of a watch — to observe the motion 

 of its hands and listen to its tickings, to become a good 

 watchmaker — nor will any written account initiate you 

 into the hidden mysteries of its machinery; no, you must 

 see that machinery taken apart and again put together, 

 piece by piece, before you have a just knowledge of 

 its combination and attempt with success to form it. 

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