Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1817-10-28
TIT AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS OF
MAINE.


10 exciting spirit of emulation among farmers,
and in collecting and diffusing correct and valua
BILE information has been fully proved by expert
ence as to place the fact beyond doubt 1t is OBJ
vious that number of men pursuing the same
general object with the same views will make more
rapid improvements than any individual can do by
bis own solitary and unassisted labors. A society
by communicating to each other, the results OF
their experiments gives to each individual the
benefit of the joint experience of the whole. There
is trade if we except what are called the fine arts
and the liberal professions which require great
variety of knowledge & so extended an experience
as that of agriculture. If proof of this asked
might direct the attention of readers to the
great variety of books that have been written upon
I 1t in all ages and languages. These afford abun
dant evidences that the wsest and most learned
nations believe it to be subject not easily under
stood. But there is hardly mechanic trade, the
operation of which cannot be completely explained
by the help of figures in pamphlet of few pages.
The progress OF improvement from this cause will
be naturally more rapid in the useful mechanic arts
than in the more complex and difficult art Of agri-
culture. But this is not the only cause of the
comparatively slow advances of valuable and i'm
portant improvements in husbandry. Agricultu-
ralists are scattered over the country. They
have less intercourse with each other than those
employed in the mechanic arts. The improve
ment that each individual makes is confined to
himself and few of his neighbours. A long time
must elapse before they are generally known and
adopted. However favourable this mode of life
may be to the virtue of the individual il is mani
fest inconvenience to the class and must always
axe the progress Of Improvement in the art of cul-
tivating the land more tardy than that ia the arts
overcome. Husbandmen are compelled to live
on the land they cultivate. Ii may, however, in a
considerable degree be removed by the establish.
nent of agricultural societies. These societies may
collect and embody the floating information and
scattered improvements that are occasionally made
and ditfuse through the whole community dscov-
cries, the advantage of which would otherwise be
confined to very small part. 1.-THE benefits of an
agricultural society were confined to this circurn-
stance, they would be far from contemtble. II has
grow where but one grew before is q greater bene-
factor of mankind than al! the generals and politi
clans that ever lived. 1t is certain that every inn
provemeut 10 agriculture is an acquisition TO the
means of human enjoyment II is clear good not
counterbalanced by any evil. But the collecting
and difusng information is not the sole nor per-
haps the principal advantage derived from an agri
cultural society. The excitement that it will pro-
duce, will create spirit of Improvement Enthu-
siasm of all kindsis contagious. The zeal and ar
dour Of the society will communicate itself to the
whole population, and every man will be ambitious
to add something to the general stock of improve
ment.
This is brief aud imperfect statement of the adj
yantages which will naturally result from the es-
Establishment of an agricultural society. We are
happy to learn that the District Of Maine will
probably soon have the advantage of one. The
subject we understand was FIRST moved at Brunswick
at the late commencement. Since that time meet
ings have been held at Wiscasset Augusta and
Portland, another will be held at Alfred on Thurs
day next. These are but preparatory steps, We
understand that the object of these meetings is to
procure signers to petition TO the General Court,
praying for an act to incorporate Agricultural
Society in this District.
The object is not confined merely to obtaining an
act of incorporation for general agricultural So
csty bus in connection WITH this to establish minor