147 
IMPROVEMENT IN AGRICULTURE. 
It is very gratifying to know that there are many of our 
farmers who do bestow great attention and care in the rearing 
of stock, as the show of cattle on these grounds fully proves, 
and the owners of such are entitled to every commendation 
and support. It requires much knowledge, time and capital 
to introduce the most valuable breeds of any of our domestic 
animals, and all the encouragement should be given to such 
as are engaged in that laudable object. Highly meritorious is 
it to the breeders of the horse in this county and vicinity. 
The many fine animals on exhibition indicate how much that 
valuable animal is esteemed. The trial of the speed of our 
horses is, I understand, to some very objectionable, from the 
supposition that it is becoming subversive of the real benefits 
of the Society. Now, who will deny that one of the best qual¬ 
ities of a horse is the quickness and gracefulness of his move¬ 
ments, which, together with the symmetry of his form, consti¬ 
tute much of his excellence ; therefore it is necessary that 
judges should witness his ability to travel at the time of making 
their awards, and having set apart a particular time for such 
exhibitions, why need it distract attention from any other de¬ 
partment of the exhibition. The horse is the most noble of 
our domestic animals, and should claim our especial attention ; 
a thorough knowledge of his nature and form tends to elevate 
our conception of the beautiful in the animal kingdom. 
We should give more attention to the culture of grasses and 
roots ; without which it is in vain to expect we can raise the 
best of animals. Be assured the continued culture of wheat is 
fast impoverishing our land, bringing it into the same condition 
as vast tracts in the eastern and southern States now are—of 
sterility. Take warning before it is too late. Those owning 
marsh lands should at once commence, if not already done, to 
drain them ; a ditch six feet wide, and from three to four deep, 
will be found a good fence, as well as a drain for the water, 
and by dividing into ten acre fields, but few marshes but would 
be sufficiently dry. The wild grass will soon run out by close 
feeding, and the tame varieties will, if sown, take its place 
