4 MR. rROCTOR S ADDRESS. 



learnt, when a boy, under the direction of a father who 

 was then considered a good farmer, is now so far obso- 

 lete, that it may not be used. I therefore hope you 

 will pardon my presumption in })resenting such views, 

 as I have been able to cull from the experience of oth- 

 ers. If I can be so fortunate as to make any sugges- 

 tions that may not before have occurred to you; — or to 

 present any reasons for a reconsideration of the opinions 

 heretofore entertained, I shall feel myself amply re- 

 warded. Having been somewhat intimately connected 

 with the concerns of this Society from its commence- 

 ment, I did not feel at liberty to withhold any effort in 

 my power to advance its interests. 



We have come together as farmers, on this anniver- 

 sary, to compare the results of our experience, and if 

 possible to mutually aid and instruct each other. I 

 trust the audience will bear in miiid the remark of the 

 learned President Quincy, " that in the every day la- 

 bors of agriculture, there is something too rough for a 

 pOiished discourse, — too common for one that is elevat- 

 ed, — and too inseparable from soil and its composts, to 

 be treated to the general ear, without danger of ofience 

 to that fastidiousness of fancy, which is miscalled refuie- 

 ment." 



It will be my endeavor to present such ideas as have 

 occurred to me as pertinent, in the plainest possible 

 manner, without any attempt at rhetorical flourish or 

 ima2;inative ornament. Such ornaments would be as 

 misplaced, at a business meeting of farmers, as would a 

 ruffle shirt or a gold ring, on the person actually em- 

 ployed in digging a ditch — or any other labor of the 

 field. 



It is about one quarter of a century since this Society 

 was organized. By the generous contributions of its 

 members ; the fostering bounty of the State ; and the 

 fidelity of those who have managed its concerns, it has 

 continued strengthening with its years, making liberal 

 appropriations annually, always limiting its expenses 

 within its income. In so doing, it has set an example 

 to farmers generally, worthy of imitation. 



