The Portland gazette., 1822-10-29


and for the public benefit il would be per-
baps the best way TO acquire and disseminate
the agricultural knowledge. Some of our uni
versities have already a botanic garden may
we not hope, that, in time, they may enlarge
their sphere.
The neSt best, and indeed the only other
feasible plan, for the Improvement of agricul-
tura knowledge (; is the establishment Of .Ag-
riculturat Societies. What is impossible for
individuals, may be practicable by associa-
tions. The immense benefit they have been
TO all countries where they have for any length
OF lime been established, is too apparent to be
dwelt on. The great Improvement Of Eng
land is chiefly owing to her societies. Hardly
one of the United States is without one
The most enlightened Of our citizens give them
their support. Our farmers generally circum-
scrbed in their means, are not able 10 make
expensive experiments, and are not much
given TO innovation n)r is ii perfectly fair,
that one man should be at The whole expense
and the whole community reap the benefit
1t is therefore necessary, that some means
should be used 10 stimulate our agricultural
lists 10 make experiments and to induce
them, by pecuniary and honorary rewards, TO
make known the results For this purpose
we have assembled this day, where we can
view the most excellent OF the produc-
tions OF lbe soil, decide on their merits and
rewards, and learn the manner in which they
were produced that returning home, we
may practice the same, and make il known
10 our neighbors.
But some assert that many Of The objects of
the Society appear to them frivolous and un-
profitable. So did TO others the introduction
Of the potatoe, the turnip, and the carrot,
which have made so great revolution, in the
agriculture of England. $50 now perhaps
appears, 10 some, the introduction of the ruta-
6uga, mange wurzeI, woad, madder, and
merino sheep. But answer, that if we sue
ceed in but one object in hundred, which
we undertake, il pay be worth 10 the COM
monwesIth hundred times all our expense
and labour. We most of US remember when
The cotton plant was stranger in The United
States now il forms one Of orr greatest ar.
ticles of export. Rice was thrown on our
shores by the wreck of vessel from Africa,
and first planted by the floods and indigo,
perhaps, was introduced in some way as pre-.
csTious and The time may come when the
wool, grain, and woad of Maine, may rival
the cotton, rice, and indigo OF Georgia and
even the cultivation of the tea plant in this,
or soTe more southern State, may save our
silver from being sent to the ends Of the earth,
for that article of luxury.
But our opponents object, that they DO not
see the effect OF our exertions. DO they ex-
pect to reap the crop, as soon as The seed is
sown Changes IN agriculture are not msde
in day. II is but few years that we have
existed and in that short time, much agri-
cultural knowledge has been disseminated and
turned TO actual account. Our breeds of
horses and other stock have been improved
new articles of agriculture have been intro
duced and thresh;ng machines have been
invented, which bid fair TO rival the cotton
gin IN utility and we hope soon TO present
machine which will so assist the farmer, In
the preparation Of hemp and fax, that we
shall have no further need Of importations of
those articles from Russia.
True we have not done so much as we
wish, or expect TO do; but our means are
scsnty, while our object i great. We have
been disappointed in the support and counte
nance we expected from The State government.
For, since we have become Independent Of
old Massachusetts, we seem TO have thrown
off the influence OF her good example aud
Maine alone, | believe, OF all the Northen
States, and perhaps of all the States in the
Union, gives no support to Agricultural Soci-
elies. Commerce must have its navy, lis
ambassadors, and its consuls manufactures,
their protecting duties and the military ART
IFS public school; while agriculture, the sup
port OF all the others, is left TO the encourage
ment OF the State governments I; and the
government Of our State neglects it.-Do our
Legislators think that we know enough al
ready; or tba; we are ton stupid to learn
or that The soil OF Maine is not worth cultlya-
ting Or are we TOO poor TO give any sup
port to Agricultural Societies Give us but
one buDdred'h part Of the annual expenses of
military parade, and we shall be satisfied
May we not hope, that fuiur1 igislators may
be more enlightened, and more careful of the
best Interests OF their constituents But if
otherwise, gentlemen, let US remember that
the less is done for Us, the more we must do
for ourselves and should we be without The
assistance, OF even thanks of iha! public, for
whose benefit we are labouring let US new
ertheless increase our eyeTtIons, and reap the
reward in our own bosoms.@