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mand. The wonder is that more enterprising young men do not 

 engage in this business. 



Next come the farmers proper, who constitute the majority of 

 all that live upon the soil. These are the most deeply interested 

 in agricultural experiments and in the success of agricultural 

 societies. Others have various sources of income, but the farmer 

 must look to his land and labor. Whatever tends to make his 

 land more productive, or to diminish his labor, or to apply it more 

 judiciously, should arrest his attention, and gain at least a patient 

 hearing. The creating of food is a business that can never wear 

 out, and must always furnish employment to the great mass of 

 mankind. Whatever renders that employment easier or more 

 attractive or more remunerative, deserves the consideration of 

 those engaged in it ; for every thing having these results will tend 

 also to elevate and improve the character of the farmer. Small 

 farms, cultivated by the owners, should be objects of special inter- 

 est ; for they are the secret means of developing the resources 

 of the country and of raising up hardy and industrious men, the 

 true conservative element of society. 



Although in every quarter we found but one opinion, namely, 

 that there is an increasing interest in agriculture, the proofs of 

 which were improved methods of tillage and larger crops, yet 

 from hundreds of farmers our Society and its objects receive little 

 favor or sympathy. Very few, considering the whole number, 

 attend its annual fair, or send in contributions of their produce or 

 stock, — partly, perhaps, because they have not made themselves 

 familiar with its design, Avhich is simply to improve the agricul- 

 ture of the county, by exciting competition, by disseminating 

 knowledge, by preserving and recording facts, and by bringing 

 the experience of all to bear upon the operations of each, — partly 

 because they are isolated from each other, and have few occasions 

 of mutual conference, to compare notes, and to learn from their 

 common successes and failures. This is a cogent reason why they 

 should belong to the Society and attend its meetings. A man who 

 lives by himself, and walks his beaten round, and repeats again and 

 again the same experiments, is apt to become unreasonably satisfied 

 with himself and his course. And however intelhgent a man may 

 be, it is not to be supposed that he cannot learn from the results 

 of others' activity. It is believed by this Committee that actual 



