The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-03-01
A0rtcuIturaI.
Worcester agricultural Society.
.NR. TUFTS ADDRESS.
Coocludad

After all that has been said, however, erper-
ament, whether in the labora' DRY or in the field,
IS the only correct source of agricultural k7orl-
edges the diffusion Of that knOuledge, through
the whote mass Of the farming comnal1nity The
only true basis of improvement IN the art. Some
more efficient means, perhaps, might be re-
sorted to, than mas hitherto been adopted, to
accomplish these purposes. The establish
ment of experimental farms, as has been roc
commended by Sir John Sinclair, in his Code of
Agriculture, cannot be too often enforced upon
the attention of the friends Of good husbandry.
II is believed that such a farm, embracing a
variety Of soil, and properly conducted by men
both OF science and practical skill, would do
more, in few years, to enlighten the farming
community, than could be effected by individ-
ual efforts or by any other mode of encourage
ment in half century. The general benefits
10 be derived from experience, are often great
ly limited by the omission of some material
circumstance, that might attend a particular
experiment, and, not unfrequently, by an inn
perfect description of the process itself. The
establishment of such farm, therefore, while
it facilitated investigation, would afford the
best means of communicating to the public its
results. From hence, the farmer might obtain
not only fair record of an experiment, but he
y.
from observation alone, a sufficient knowledee
of the character of the soil upon which the ex-
pertinent was made. Here, also, he might
learn every fact, that had exerted favorable
or unfavorable influence upon the mode of Gull
ture adopted. Many other advantages might
be enumerated, if time permitted, to impress
upon the public the Importance Of such farms.
None, however, it is presumed, can doubt,
that their establishment, in the various sections
OF our country, would be an event suspicious
to the American husbandman.
But, however much the farmer may be in
formed in the principles of his art However
well versed he may be in the laws of vegeta-
ton or the organization OF nature herself; new
ertheless, to enable him to reap every benefit,
which his labors can afford, he must rely much
upon his own discrimination, and the daily ex-
ercise OF his own judgment.
Those who have acquired fortune in some
other profession OF business, and farm it only
Tor amusement, may consult their taste or in
dulge their fancy. They can make improve
ments on their farms for ornament They can
cultivate their fields merely TO please the eve
Of the spectator. But the ordinary farmer
who pursSes his business as a means of sub
sistence for himself and family, must calcu- |
late upon profit TO be derived from it. In
him, therefore, that can never be good hus- |
oahdry, which seeks to obtain great results !
by the application ofinordinate means. Great |
crops produced by extraordinary cultivation. |
and at great expense, however gratifying to |
the sight, can never be an object worthy Of
has attention. The pampered animal may
grace the stall, but, if his cost exceeds his |
worth or market price, nothing is added to
the income OF the farmer, or the comfort Of
his family. TO obtain the greatest amount of
productive uGLue, from The employment of the
least capital, IS one Of the first principles of
rural economy. 1t is, indeed, the very difni-
ton of the farmers art. In the successful
application OF this principle, it is evident. that
regard must be had to a great variety OF cir
cumstances, whose influence can alone be |
learned from the farmers own observation.
Ills situation in relation to market the
actual state and condition of the country at
large and thousand other circumstances,
are daily demanding the exerci.e of vigilant
and enlightened understanding. Finally, Ito
quote the language of a distinguished Agri-
oulturist) There is, probably, no art, in
which variety of knowledge, is of more es.
sential Importance, than in that of Agricul-
ture. To preserve the fertility of the soil; to
free i from all superHuous moisture; to cult.
vate 1t TO the greatest advantage 10 raise IFS
productions at the least expense; to procure
the best instruments of husbandry; to select
the stock likely to he the most profitable; 10
iced them IN the most judicious manner, and
to hrng ihau To Tho