228 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



LIBRARIES FOR AGRICULTURAL SO- 

 CIETIES. 



There are many agricultural societies in this coun- 

 try, conducted by very efficient officers, and they 

 are exercising a powerful influence on the cause of 

 improvement in various branches, but we believe 

 that they have generally paid but very little atten- 

 tion to the formation of libraries ; therefore we lay 

 the following communication before our readers 

 with much pleasure, knowing full well that the 

 respectable source from which it has emanated will 

 lead other associations to a due consideration of the 

 subject. 



The example of the Essex Society in publishing 

 their transactions in permanent form has been much 

 commended, and it has been followed, in many cases, 

 with the most favorable results ; and we trust that 

 the plan now suggested by this society v/ill meet 

 with approval by other kindred associations, and that 

 they will cheerfully respond to the proposal to ex- 

 change works, and thus aid each other in promoting 

 the interest of each, and of the agricultural com- 

 munity generally. The success of Mr. Vattemare, 

 to whom Mr. Proctor refers, and the happy results 

 of his labors in promoting an exchange of books be- 

 tween different associations and different nations, 

 are wonderful, and should encourage societies to 

 carry on the same plan of reciprocity. 



When a society has once formed a library, it will 

 be constantly increasing, from donations of valuable 

 works from generous individuals, who possess ample 

 means, and will take pleasure in contributing to the 

 encouragement of useful enterprises. 



We find that files of agricultural journals are of 

 great value for rel'erence, and some of them increase 

 in value as they increase in age. 



We copy a few preliminary remarks from the pres- 

 ident, and the official doings of the Essex Agricul- 

 tural Society on this subject, and we commend them 

 for consideration and action. 



To the Editor of the Neio England Farmer. 



Sir : At a late meeting of the trustees of the Essex 

 Agricultural Society, a report on the formation of a 

 librai'v for the use of the society was approved, and 

 ordered to be published in your paper. The purpose 

 of this publication is, to bring the plan of operation 

 to the notice of all those who may be enfragcd in 

 similar enterprises, and to secure its adoption, so 

 far as it may be found worthy. 



The whole community are filled with astonishment 

 at the success that has attended the labors of Mr. 

 Vattemare, in collecting and exchanging books. Whj' 

 cannot something of the same kijid be done by 

 agricultural societies ? I'ardon me in asking your 

 attention to it, and soliciting from you a few words, 

 editorial, in cooperation. The s\iccess that has at- 

 tended the efforts of the New York State Society in 

 the formation of a library, encourages the hope that 

 farmers in Massachusetts may also succeed, if thcv 

 will make a beginning. I think, sir, if you had 

 access to a library containing all the agricultural 

 journals that have been published, even in our own 

 country, you would value the jirivilege most highly. 

 Very truly yours, 



J. W. PIIOCTOR. 



Danvbrs, June 23, 1849. 



Report of thk Trustees, 



On the Forniation of a Library for the Use of the Essex 

 Agrintltural Society, 



At a meeting of the trustees of the Essex Agricul- 

 tural Society, held on the loth instant, the following 

 report was submitted by a cmnmittee appointed, at a 

 previous meeting, to consider the expediency of 

 forming a library for tVie use of the society. The 

 subject having been fully discussed by the trustees, 

 and generally approved, the report was accepted, and 

 ordered to be published in the New England Farmer. 

 A copy of this paper will be sent by the secretary to 

 gentlemen known to take a strong interest in the 

 progress of this society, and in agricultural improve- 

 ment, with the hope tViat the subject may so com- 

 mend itself to their notice as to enlist their active 

 cooperation in the enterprise, b}' the loan or gift to 

 the society of agricultural books orparajjhlets. Sim- 

 ilar contributions are also respectfully solicited from 

 all who are disposed to favor the object. These may 

 be sent either to the secretary or to any member of 

 the committee. The society is already in possession 

 of some valuable works on agriculture ; and all that 

 is needed to lay the foundation of a library, to be 

 free for the use of its members, is an adilition to the 

 number. The means will thus be furnished for the 

 further diffusion of agricultural knowledge, and the 

 consequent advancement of agricultural skill, among 

 our farmers. And it is with the belief, that to im- 

 prove the mind is one of the surest ways to improve 

 the soil, this appeal is made bv the trustees. 



ALLEN W. DODGE, 



Secretary Essex Ag. Soc, 



Hamilton, June 20, 1849. 



Report of the Committee. 



The committee, to whom was referred the subject 

 of the formation of a library for the use of the society, 

 are of the opinion that immediate measures should 

 be taken to lay the foundation for such a library. 



The reasons why this should be done, have been 

 so fully stated by the secretary, in his Essay which 

 has been published, (see Transactions for 1848, pp. 

 105 to 111,) that to dilate thereon would be superflu- 

 ous. If they fail to convince, your committee feel 

 that it will not be in their power to do so ; — but 

 being themselves convinced, they deem it to be their 

 duty to urge upon the trustees the importance of 

 the subject. They ask leave to present a few brief 

 considerations, calculated to facilitate a favorable 

 beginning. 



For the present, the care of the library can best be 

 left with the secretary. In each of the volumes 

 should be placed a suitable label, descriptive of the 

 ownership, and so firmly attached as to be incapable 

 of severance. A suitable rccwd should be made of 

 all books received, especially of all books presented 

 to the library, together with the names of the donors, 

 and the circumstances under which the books were 

 given. The publication annually of a list of such do- 

 nations will answer the double purpose of informing 

 the members of what books are on hand, and of en- 

 couraging them to add to the number. Gentlemen 

 who have procured valuable books and become famil- 

 iar with their contents, will take pleasure in granting 

 a favor to others by placing the books in the society's 

 library. There are many who would find a higher 

 gratification in doing this, than they ever found in 

 the perusal of the works. Let the former have an 

 ojiportunity to gratify the ardent desires of the 

 latter. 



Let the secretary be instructed to open a corre- 

 spondence with the secretaries of other societies, and 

 publishers of works on agriculture, and forward to 

 them copies of our own publications ; — the conse- 

 quence wUI be, that soon the society will be in pes- 



