, 1840-12-19
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.

We intend to devote 4 portion Of our pa
per in future to the interests of the Farmer
and Agriculturist. In the meantime we so
Iicit the attention Of our readers TO the follow
Ing from the Western Farmer, published in
Illinois.
There is, perhaps, no one thing better cal
culated TO awaken and lead forward 4 spirit
of enterprising and ski!ful agriculture, than
Agricultural Societies; and they appear TO
be SO intimately connected with. and so use
full to IT'S prosperity, that in any section Of
the country where there Is a great spirit upon
this subject manifested, these societies are
invariably formed. 1t is at the fairs of
these societies that the bestSpecImenS of
stock, and various other improvements. adj
vantageous 10 the science of Agriculture
are exhibited, by which means all have Il
chance of determining the best and most
profitable selections to be made.
There are as vet, we believe, but few of
such societies formed in our State; but such
rs there are that we have become acquain-
ted with, have exhibited specimens of stock
and other improvements. in the highest point
com~mendable and encouraging 10 us as an
agricultural State. And in fact, the natur-
al advantages we have for farming, and the
spirit of late manifested upon the subject,
gives us the strongest reasons Tor hoping and
expecting that our State is receiving u new
impetus, and that it will eventually become
one of the first, If not the first State in skill
ful and prosperous agriculture in the Union.
And in taking the State through, we think 1t
surpasses any other State in the quality and
dep,h of soil. and as TO the Inconvenience
that NAV present themselves, thay are oil
such a nature as can be GOT through with by
the energetic, intelligent, and resolute lar
mer. But il is evident to every rejecting
mind, that in order to the better and more
expeditions forwarding OF this work, that
there should be some action on the part oil
those who view this subject in its proper
LIGHT. and that some plan most conducive TO
the benefit of the farmer and cultivaior should
be adopted. by which the most correct
and proper information can be collected and
laid before the community; and 1t IS our I'M
preston that formation OF such societies as
above referred TO, when conducted properly.
is one of the best methods of forwarding the
cause; and our impressions have been more
confirmed of late, while passing through
portion of this State, and hearing the anxious
inquiries made respecting the proceedings o.
the fair of the Sangamon County Agricultur'
al Society, and a great disposition was mani
tested for gaining all profitable information
upon the subject Of improved Agriculture
! and several who had never attended a fair o
this society in this place, expressed a deter
mination to attend the next; some OF then
wishing TO exhibit stock.
We would therefore recommend, Tor thu
benefit of this cause, that Societies be form
; ed in the different portions or counties OF TIT
State; and. when the counties are small o
thinIy settled, that two or three counties u
mite IN the formation Of Societies, and IN TIN
way q more general spirit would be awaken
ed upon this subject, and a greater, and stu
a greater impetus would be gwen to tn
cause, Another idea strikes US asa yer.
favorable one, that a Board OF Agrcultur
e be instituted for the State, or that there be
State Agricultural Society formed, and tina
this subject interes, the Legislator and tn
d Statesman, as we'll as the most retired tai