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results of their cultivation, then we conceive that a much smaller 

 number of persons Avould be sufficient. Invitations to visit and 

 inspect farms in various parts of the county Avould be more freelj 

 given and promptly complied with. If, for special reasons, the 

 presence of a large number of visitors is desired, the selection of 

 individuals to accompany the Committee may be most properly 

 left to the person whose farm is to be viewed, or to the Committee 

 themselves. We recommend, therefore, that the number of this 

 Committee be hereafter reduced and limited. 



Much good might result, we conceive, from the practice of hold- 

 ing a pubhc meeting, after the Committee have viewed any farms 

 in the place, for discussion of prominent points in their observa- 

 tions, or of topics suggested by the desire of information on the 

 part of any farmers present. We recommend the adoption of such 

 a practice in conjunction with the future visits of the Committee, 

 whenever practicable. In places Avhere farmers' clubs already 

 exist, it would be easy to carry out the plan, and thus to render 

 the services of the Committee more widely useful. 



The novelty and proximity of other Agricultural Societies, re- 

 cently organized upon our borders, present attractions, which 

 threaten to diminish our strength and the interest hitherto mani- 

 fested in our Annual Exhibitions. The times have given birth to 

 an increasing spirit of emulation and progress in agricultural im- 

 provement, which forcibly suggests the importance of revived and 

 enlarged activity amongst ourselves. We do not transcend the 

 duties of our office, therefore, if we urge upon the Society the 

 adoption of every suitable measure for the preservation of its 

 strength and advancement of its interests. The zeal in the cause, 

 apparent in any given town, may serve to awaken a kindred spirit 

 in other towns. The life and vigor of a neighboring society, ex- 

 hibited in its endeavors after improvement, may naturally pro- 

 voke like endeavors in other societies, in order to diminish or do 

 away the contrast now apparent between them. Every newly 

 organized society naturally invites attention from abroad. It is 

 the part of wisdom, then, in one of longer existence and of good 

 reputation, to beware lest it be outstripped in the race, by more 

 zealous and active spirits. 



A larger division of labor, by the introduction and use of new 

 processes of cultivation, the results of which have elsewhere proved 

 satisfactory ; or the breeding of any particular class of animals 

 not very common here, which have elsewhere acquired an estab- 

 lished reputation ; or undivided attention to some specialty, in 

 any department of culture, may do much to advance the prosper- 

 ity of individuals, whilst it creates fresh interest in, and gives 

 higher reputation to the society, of which they are members. 

 The inquiry may not be without use, whether the mixed system 



