40 



This state of things will pass away as age creeps over 

 your commonwealths and institutions, but in the mean- 

 time it operates as a serious hindrance to the expenditure 

 of money in embellishment or in costly improvements, 

 which might possibly not enhance, in a proportionate 

 degree, the value of these properties in the market. 



I merely mention these social obstacles, for although 

 some of them do, as I am informed, exist to a certain 

 extent in this State of New York, yet I would rather 

 express my high opinion of the much good I have found 

 among you, than appear to detract from your just deserts, 

 by discovering and commenting upon wants and defects 

 which in your hurry to get forward, you have as yet 

 scarcely had time to discover, much less to supply or 

 remove. 



Encouragement to Agricultural Science in the 

 United States. — Of the good I see, for example, I may 

 specify the enlightened desire exhibited by your several 

 State governments^ to promote the applications of science 

 to your home agriculture, as it is strikingly shown in the 

 numerous surveys and reports which they have caused to 

 be made and published, in respect to the geology and agri- 

 cultural capabilities of the several parts of the Union. In 

 this respect your State of New York occupies a most distin- 

 guished position, and its inhabitants will no doubt reap 

 from their well directed exertions, a rich harvest of deserved 

 fruit. 



Again — this great Agricultural Fair, the implements and 

 stock here exhibited, the countless numbers who have en- 

 tered the show yard to see them, and who now surround us — 

 impress upon a foreign visitor, the obvious usefulness and 

 efficient management of your Agricultural Societies, how 

 much they are doing, and how zealously they are sup- 



