ABDRESS. 23 



maker happened to be there. He had his eye upon it. He 

 began to think, and from that time to this a vast amount of 

 scientific knowledge has been brought to bear upon this imple- 

 ment and with results which ought to put to the blush the 

 prejudices of those, who declaim against the application of 

 systematic knowledge to agriculture. 



Some new organization seemed to be needed, something to 

 seize upon and enchain the interest of the farming communi- 

 ty ; something to excite their emulation, and lead them to im- 

 portant and permanent improvements. 



This new organization was found in the county societies, 

 the first of which was incorporated in Middlesex, in 1803, 

 having existed as a voluntary association, from the time of its 

 institution, in 1794. The Berkshire Society was established 

 in 1811, in the midst of opposition so determined, as to call 

 down upon its projector the ridicule of all classes of society. 



Having much difficulty the second year of its existence for 

 want of funds, the young Berkshire Society applied for assist- 

 ance from the ample and unappropriated funds of the State 

 Society, and received from its President, John Adams, this 

 significant reply : 



"QuiNCY, 16 Sept. 1S12. 

 You will get no aid from Boston. Commerce, literature, theology, are all 

 against you ; nay medicine, history and university, and universal politics 

 might be added. I cannot, I will not, be more explicit." 



Gradually, however, the feelings of the people were enlist- 

 ed in their favor, premiums were offered and awarded, and a 

 large gathering from all parts of the county, increasing rap- 

 idly from year to year, gave evidence that something had 

 reached the heart of the community. Under the auspices of 

 the government which soon came to the aid of these societies, 

 such an impetus was given to the improvement of our agri- 

 culture, that within the last forty years the entire aspect of 

 the State has been changed. 



If any one were disposed to doubt this improvement, we 

 need only point to the number of acres of waste and unim- 



