MR. SALTONSTALL's ADDRESS. 11 



thing as a dairy, or would know how to construct one 

 properly. Among all such farmers, butter is an article 

 quite as scarce in the spring, as if it were prohibited by 

 law." 



What a picture of agriculture, in the land of heroes 

 and of saiifes — the mother of States ! And this in the 

 year eighteen hundred and forty-two ! Thank heaven, 

 these phrases do require explanation to a northern farm- 

 er, where cattle are 07i the lift only by the improvement 

 of their breed; and who do understand, (and their wives 

 too,) the meaning and the use of a dairy. 



But let us rejoice with the distinguished agricultur- 

 ist, that these disgraceful proofs of bad husbandry in 

 Eastern Virginia are rapidly disappearing, and that an 

 impulse has been given by agricultural journals and so- 

 cieties, which has effected improvements, which will, 

 without doubt, be permanent. 



The great improvements already made in agriculture 

 have increased the facilities and advantages of farming 

 in the United States, and encourage us to aim at still 

 further improvements. We have now in this country 

 implements of husbandry of the very best kind — said to 

 be much better than similar instruments in Europe — for 

 the free American mind takes the lead of all others, in 

 mechanical inventions. With respect to cattle, we have 

 every variety and the best of all varieties. We have, 

 too, all the varieties of sheep and of swine introduced 

 from abroad, or improved at home. And as to horses, 

 we are said to possess quite as good a race for draft, and 

 even for the turf, as there is in England. 



The progress of agricultural improvement has been 

 accelerated, as the importance of this branch of industry 

 has been more and more appreciated. And it is indeed 

 an interest of the highest national importance. It fur- 

 nishes at least three fourths of all the exports of the 

 United States. The last annual report of the Commis- 

 sioner of patents — a very valuable document — con- 

 tains a tabular estimate and statement of the crops of 

 eighteen hundred and forty-two. Time will not allow 

 of details — The aggregate crop was immense ; the 



