Exhibition of i 8 j 2 —annual Addresses. i 63 
meetings and discussing topics which relate particularly to their 
interest as producers, and with the best of results. 
One of the greatest hindrances to agriculture is that farmers 
who are possessed of limited education, but who are practical, 
observing men, are reluctant in giving the public the benefit of 
their experience, fearing that some one of greater scholarship, but 
perhaps less brains, will question their intellectual culture and 
attainments. In the club-room, among his neighbors, there is 
little restraint of this kind, hence the most beneficial results of his 
experience are obtained, which otherwise might be lost to the 
cause of industry. The county, district and state agricultural 
societies are accomplishing much good. Viewed as social gather¬ 
ings merely, they are promotive of the highest results. There is a 
want of social culture in the rural districts, and more particularly 
among the new and sparsely settled portions of our state, and yet 
there is nothing, which for our comfort, happiness and enjoyment 
is of more importance. Man has a social nature, and he needs to 
have it cultivated by mingling in society, and having those rough 
corners polished down so as to fit him for higher enjoyment, and 
that he may exert a happy influence upon those with whom he is 
brought in daily contact. I am glad to see ladies, farmers’ wives 
and daughters, taking an active interest in these social and in¬ 
dustrial gatherings. Why should not woman take an interest in 
the domestic department of industry? Why should she not write 
essays, and take part in the practical discussions pertaining to 
gardening, household and dairy, poultry, bees, fruits and flowers, 
works of art, etc. ? A refining and elevating influence would thus 
be promoted, industry receive an accession of moral force and 
strength heretofore unknown, and the grandest and most noble 
results follow. All of these valuable agencies ought to be utilized 
into one harmonious whole, working together towards one common 
end. I would not infer by this that the least feeling of jealousy 
or rivalry exists between such local, state or national organiza¬ 
tions, but that this unity of purpose and organized effort would 
give additional strength and stimulus, and exert that healthful in¬ 
fluence which is so essential to any pursuit in life, by diffusing in¬ 
formation among the people, such as individual or separate effort 
could never accomplish. To aid in my feeble way in bringing 
