16 MR. saltonstall's address. 



to hint at some deficiencies ? One of the greatest is, 

 the neglect of the cultivation of the fruits, to which our 

 soil and climate are propitious. Every farm should have 

 a succession of those delicious fruits, which are easily 

 cultivated, and which have in goodness been provided 

 for our enjoyment and our health, and for which the 

 natural taste is so strong. They may also be as profita- 

 bly cultivated as any other articles. 



Another defect is — the neglect of gardens. A far- 

 mer is often satisfied with too small a gcw den patch. 

 Culinary vegetables ought to be raised, and used too, in 

 much greater variety and plenty than they are ; and it 

 would be no misfortune to the health or the purse, if they 

 should lessen the excessive use of animal food. 



Let us glance at some of the causes of the modern im- 

 provements in agriculture. One of the principal is the 

 application of scientific principles to the practice. It 

 was formerly supposed, that there could be no connec- 

 tion betv^een science and the cultivation of the earth. — 

 This had a tendency to depress, if not to degrade the 

 occupation. Now, science has come forth into every day 

 life — She extent's her powerful aid to practical farmers. 

 Chemistry is analyzing the nature of soils and their ele- 

 ments, and of the supplies which they require, and is 

 thus elevating the employment of the farmer, and teach- 

 ing him how to cultivate his land to the best advantage. 

 I might also refer to the agricultural, geological, and 

 other surveys, in our Commonwealth, equally honora- 

 ble to the Government by whose authority they were 

 made, and to the learned commissioners, and which have 

 greatly advanced the science of husbandry. 



Agricultural periodicals hold a high rank among the 

 learned and interesting journals of the day. — They have 

 done much to remove the prejudice against book-farming, 

 and are producing very beneficial effects. I have al- 

 ready adverted to agricultural associations — the most 

 eflicient cause of improvement, in Europe and in this 

 country. Permit me also to mention as one among the 

 chief causes of advance in agriculture, the improvement 

 in temperance, and of course in the effective industry 



