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should do so, sustain them, and as they should, their influence will neces¬ 
sarily be felt through a much larger circle, and more nearly amongst the 
entire community than if emanating from any other source whatever. This, 
coupled with the fact that the entire association of these influences is so 
intimately connected with the every day occupation, business and inter¬ 
ests of those to be principally and primarily affected by them, renders 
them far more effectual in accomplishing this most desirable and import¬ 
ant end. True, the great primary object of these associations is for the 
interchange of thought and knowledge upon the subjects of agriculture, 
horticulture, and the mechanical arts—and in this connection, they are 
by far the most potent agents to be employed. Of this no one can doubt. 
But their influences do not and cannot stop here. A spirit of inquiry 
once awakened, dies not away on the particular object of that special 
subject of inquiry. It becomes a living, breathing, moving and growing 
principle—extending and expanding to embrace all within the range of 
its \ision.—And it is needless to suggest that the spirit of laudable and 
commendable emulation here excited, enters not a little into the impelling 
power, pushing us forward in the pursuit of knowledge. That “know¬ 
ledge is power”—is a trueism too stale and common-place to need repe¬ 
tition. Equally true is it that knowledge is great gain, and if not 
wealth, it is the key which in the hands of industry and science, more 
than any other, unlocks and opens up to us all the exhaustless treasures 
of earth. It is the talismanic wand which in the hand of the artizan 
brings to view the hidden beauties, treasures and perfections of the art, 
and draws within the reach and grasp of its possessor the choicest bless¬ 
ings so lavishly bestowed for our common good. 
These associations, like a great and exhaustless reservoir, become the 
common receptacle of all the knowledge of this entire fraternity, out of 
which each may draw an amount equal to the aggregate, for his indivi¬ 
dual advantage, and yet the source is neither exhausted nor diminished. 
It is a market place of exchange of this most valuable commodity, where 
each member obtains all of which his fellow is possessed, and retains un¬ 
diminished all of his own stock. Certainly this must be a most profitable 
barter. No place presents greater facilities for the cultivation and dis¬ 
play of good taste, or for personal enjoyment, than the home of the 
farmer. In no other division of either the industrial or professional 
