ADDRESS. 



I WAS somewhat surprised recently by the remark of a 

 farmer, who sneered at Agricultural Societies, intimating 

 that in his opinion they were little better than collections 

 of quacks, boasting also that he had fair crops, although 

 lie belonged to no such fraternity. He holds but a mod- 

 erate rank as a farmer in regard to the extent and thor- 

 oughness of his operations. Yet within five or six years 

 his farm has increased in value. He has a new and 

 flourishing orchard, improved stock and enlarged build- 

 ings, and exhibits unmistakable evidences of progress. 

 Behold the proofs of his error ! He has caught the 

 spirit he disowns, is borne along by the stream he op- 

 poses. He is too intelligent not to profit by the impulse 

 given to his business by men wiiose efforts he would ridi- 

 cule. He breathes an atmosphere wdiich they have dif- 

 fused. In agricultural improvements wealthy amateurs, 

 — call them fancy farmers if you like, — must take the 

 lead. It is fortunate for others that they are willing to 

 do so. By experiments conducted w4th more or less wis- 

 dom, and at great expense, they eventually stand upon a 

 higher level. Through success and failure their general 

 course is onward to superior methods of tillage, to larger 

 crops, to better shaped animals, to more convenient tools ; 

 and, through the agency of the press and the power of 



