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trial, he ascertains that his lands will not profitably raise cer- 

 tain accustomed crops, he rotates, and finds those which will 

 yield remuneratively. His tools and implements are the best, 

 and therefore the most economical. If the stock upon the 

 farm is poor, he learns by inquiry and research what breeds 

 are most prolific and hardy, best fitted for labor and for market. 

 He eagerly avails himself of the practical experience of those 

 around him, but at the same time he studies books and seeks 

 the aid of science. From geology he learns the origin, nature 

 and composition of soils, — from chemistry to analyze and im- 

 prove them, the condition requisite for the most perfect growth 

 and maturity of vegetation, and the mode of preparing the best 

 fertilizers, — from botany the structure and habits of plants, and 

 what soils and modes of treatment they demand, — from zoology 

 those laws by which the re-production of animals is regulated 

 and their highest perfection attained, — and so, from all the nat- 

 ural sciences he gathers knowledge and applies it in his daily 

 tasks, till complete success crowns his efforts, till the former 

 waste becomes a garden, until what was once a wilderness is 

 made to bud and blossom like the rose. This is the scientific 

 farmer. We have such in this county. "We have them in this 

 town. They are efficient officers and members of this society. 

 They have striven hard to promote its welfare and extend its 

 usefulness. They are in our midst here to-day — men whose 

 talents, and wealth, and social position might give them public 

 eminence and honor, but who, as exemplars of progressive 

 agriculture, are doing more good than though they were con- 

 spicuous in public councils, or were ruling the storm of debate 

 in legislative halls. Let the young farmer emulate such ex- 

 amples. Let him understand that to keep up with the times, 

 he must read and study, — that to become entirely successful, 

 he must add to industry and economy and toil, science and 

 skill. In no other way can he excel, in no other way can he 

 improve his art and benefit his fellows. Our soil is not only 

 comparatively poor, it is impoverished and worn out. Science 

 and skill, and they alone, can restore its exhausted powers — 



