MR. proctor's address. 41 



In glancing at prominent incidents in the history of 

 this Society, the aid it has received from the Clergy of 

 the County, should not be passed unnoticed. At its 

 commencement they were all freely admitted honorary 

 members. From many of them have we received much 

 useful instruction, both in their learned discussions of 

 agricultural topics, and their practical application of the 

 principles taught. From none more than our venerable 

 friend at Bradford,* who is always at his post ready to 

 serve in the cabinet or the field. The pages of our 

 journals will fully sustain this remark. Such examples 

 of practical and elaborate usefulness are an honor to the 

 profession. Not less are we indebted to our friend now 

 in Europe,! who having drained our own Commonwealth, 

 and drawn deeply upon the inexhaustible fountains of the 

 Empire State, is now laboring with his characteristic 

 ardor to amuse and enlighten the world. Gladly would 

 I have adverted to some of the interesting hints and facts 

 with which he has lately favored us, in his view of the 

 present stale of agriculture in England. But they must 

 not be marred by abridgment. 



With the Clergy it mainly rests, whether agriculture 

 shall continue to iiourish and advance. Diffused as they 

 are in every village and corner of the land, and holding 

 the controling influence which should ever be conceded 

 to men who fill this station, as it ought to be filled ; if 

 they would but lend their counsel for the introduction of 

 new improvements, and apply their hours of leisure in 

 practical illustrations of them, they would add much to 

 their benign influence upon those under their charge ; — 

 and indirectly increase the fleeces on the f.ocks from which 

 they are to be clothed. Was it not a good custom of our 

 fathers, when they settled their minister (for life, as all 

 such settlements should be,) to provide him with a man- 

 sion and a few acres for tillage, upon which, by his own 

 industry, he could raise a portion of those little comforts so 

 convenient to all? By thus dividing their labors between 



» Rev. G. B. Perry. 

 t R(3v. H. Colman. 



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