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somotimes impossible, for individuals desirous of 

 obtaining- information, to inspect the articles with 

 any dej^ree of care or comfort The suggestion 

 which I have ventured to make would, to a con- 

 siderable extent, at least, .recufy this serious 

 defect. 



It has often occurred to me that there is a 

 latent power of good in local agricultural socie- 

 ties that would be of great public benefit, if it 

 were properly developed. I refer to the advan- 

 tages that would follow the more frequent meet- 

 ing of their members, for the consideration and 

 discussion of subjects of a practical or scientific 

 character. Members of the majority of township 

 societies are commonly satisfied, I believe, with 

 an annual fair, and meeting for the yearly trans- 

 action of business and election of officers. Exhi- 

 bitions are very useful and excellent things, but 

 they are not everything. An agricultural society 

 should be, in the strict sense of the words, " a 

 mutual ijnprovemnit society.''^ This valuable object 

 is, no doubt, largely obtained by bringing the 

 results of industry before public attention, for 

 inspection ai. competition. Such occasions 

 awaken thought and interest, inspire men with 

 higher aims, and more powerful motives to im- 

 provement. Periodical meetings during the re- 



