AGItlCULTURAL IMPLEMENTS. 105 



stick, almost invariably produces something both novel and useful. 

 Be this as it may, we may rest assured, in this age of mechanical fairs, 

 agricultural societies and baby shows, that the genius of America is 

 inventive. 



The character of our inventions, whether in science or art, is emi- 

 nently practical, adapted to our wants, and calculated to elevate all 

 classes and conditions of society. Other nations may have excelled 

 us in matters of taste and luxury. But it is only in countries like our 

 own, with its vast territory, and unbounded resources, where minds, 

 always busy and uninfluenced by the vagaries of olden time, are so 

 eager in the search after wealth and progress, that invention assumes 

 its true character of administering to the wants of all. As a natural 

 result of our wants as a nation, our efforts have been eminently suc- 

 cessful. American genius has controlled that mighty power, steam, 

 and demonstrated its great superiority as a propelling power, thus 

 rendering it subservient to the wants of man. It has tamed the fury 

 of the lightening's power, and bid it go on messages of mercy, rat'ier 

 than of vengeance. It has tunnelled mountains, levelled hills, filled 

 up valleys, explored the bottom of the sea, dug deep into the bowels 

 of the earth for hidden treasures, and visited the starry spheres above. 



No country can compete with us in cheap but useful agricultural 

 implements: in the manufacture of many articles from the precious 

 ore. No country possess macliines for the working of lumber or other 

 manufacturing purposes in such perfection. Our rivers are traversed 

 by the most elegant steamboats. Our ships, which ride so majestical- 

 ly over the billowy deep, far outstrip all others in speed, beauty and 

 durability. In short, our country affords abundant evidence of the 

 contributions of inventive genius to her prosperity and happiness. It 

 would be useless to enumerate the advantages we possess at the 

 present day, as compared with the past. 



It has become a matter of history, a " living epistle, known and 

 read of all men."' In the brief interval from one agricultural fair to 

 another, we may not perceive any remarkable change ; but when we 

 look back for but one half century, who can fail to observe the " signs 

 of the times,"' and to look forward with renewed hope and confidence 

 into the future. 



In improved implements of husbandry, there has been a marked 

 advance, within a few years. Science has thrown her light upon the 

 farmer's pathway, rendering his occupation both pleasant and profit- 

 able. The drudgery and monotony of the farmer's life is fast wear- 



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