Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-03-27

uoUaton6, anu euUsCTIpt'oH Vi sulHed apiece
from the members. (rhese, along with the re.
cepts Of the annual fair, make the rece pts and
expenditures Of the society about $5OOO0 an.
nualIy.) Its objects comprehend every branch
Of husbandry, and rural economy. 1t has GEN.
trail Office in London, at which the secretary Of
the council resides and where the council and
other members Of the society, hold weekly and
monthly meetings, for the management Of bust
ness, the discussion Of agricultural topics, and
the reception Of agricultural information. 1t
has begun the establishment Of an agricultural
library and museum. The object of the library
is to collect the most useful and valuable publ
cations on all subjects, in anywse connected
with the objects Of this society; likewise on ge-
ology, botany, chemistry, engineering and man.
ufacturing, so far as they are connected with
the making Of farm Implements, and the farm
operations Of draining, smbanking, &c. The
object Of its museum is 10 exhibit specimens of
all agricultural productions which are capable Of
preservation; seeds, plants, grasses, samples Of
WOOL mineral manures, models and drawings Of
agricultural implements, and whatever may in
any way conduce TO the science and practice of
agriculture. Both the library and museum have
already been beneficial in the highest degree
Besides this it issues a semi.annual publica
ton Of valuable communications and papers
which fall in its way, or are made to the socie-
ty, in reply to queries proposed for discussion or
information upon which it odars premiums Of
a pecuniary or honorary nature. The society
also holds an annual fair, and exhibition OF ami.
mails and so on, which lasts four days, and at
which there are many thousands Of competitors
1t has also a consulting chemist, a consulting
engineer. botanist and veterinary professor. 1t
is impossible 10 overrate the advantages, which
such society brings with it to the agricultural
community; for though it enrols among its
members many gentlemen who are mere ANA
teurs in agriculture, and take little interest in
it's practical details. yet on the other hand it
conbnes-amons tho very highest rank and tai
ent in the kingdom-a large amount Impractical
talent and skilThere is another greatinhuenc
which must not he overlooked, il gireS a high
respeclaL!ily TO The agricultural profession, and
presents it as pursuit mol as has been too Oft
|
minds of the highest order, from the prince to
the peasant. The prizes are contended for with
an ardor little short of that which displays itse II
in the contests Of political life, and received
with high nse Of their value. have seen
at the tables OF some Of the highes, noblemen
in the land the premiums of agricultural cue.
cess, exhibited in some form of plate, with
more triumph than that which they would dis
play the brilliant badges of their rank"
these remarks o! Mr. Colmah's will give some
idea of The great effect which that society pro.
duces among the English farmers. Not only
does it unite the efforts Of the high and low,
rich and poor, in the good cause, but it gives
these efforts direction and force {; it raises the
farmer for the time being to the level Of the
first mon in the realm, and exerts most pow.
erfu influence in elevatng the character and
standing OF the English sgricul,urst. Besides
this society there are in the United Kingdom,
the Royal improvement Society of Ireland, and
the Royal Agricultural Society Of Scotland. both
of which are very little inferior to that Of Eng.
land in wealth and usefulness to say nothing
Of the county societies, which have been form
ed and are doing active service Throughout. the
kingdom, In France and Germany, these So
cieties, which are very numerous, have been
the occasion not only of great improvement
generally, but also OF the production Of many
truly valuable treaties on agricultural topics
thus serving the double purpose of first arousins
the thirst for knowledge, then Of gratifying i.
And indeed many Of the most celebrated chem.
lists Of the present day, have been connected with
these societies, and made many of their mos,
valuable discoveries while lahoring in their ser.
vice.
And on examining the state Of our own coun
try in relation to this matter we find this first
step in improvement has been taken by q re-
spectacle number Of our states annd counties
Our sister state, New York. has a we'll estab
lshed and successful slate society, and upward,
Of thirty Of her counties have each organized
one, by whose means very great improvement
has been effected throughout her territory
, Massachusetts has her state society, and like
: wise one for each county, some Of which ar,
the oldest in this country. Connecticut De!a
: ware, Pennsy lvania. Ohio, New Hampshire, ant
of late days, even Vermont. oil have soclstles
/ many of them of several years standing, and al
actively engaged in iur,hering 10 the utmost O
their ability, the cause in which they are enlist
Cd
Now from The fact that the more ex,cnsivsl
these societies are tried, the more they are sup
ported and liked, we may draw the unavoldabl,
nclusion, that they answer the intended pur
: pose. For if they did no good, they would pres
emily be dropped, since il 10 sufficiently Difficult
to find support for what is unqueslionaby goo,
in this world, and quite impossible to MAINTAIN
:, for any length oftime, what 10 only experienced
u to be an useless burden. But instead Of thei
failing, they are increasing SO rapidly that in al
probability, another ten years. will hnd one it
every county in the United States. And nc
American will suppose that his brother Amer
can cannot perceive with all necessary penelra
: ton, whether or no the scheme into which he
/. enters so largely, be for his own interest
s Experience therefore cOrroborates the theory
in relation to Agricultural societies, viz: thai
they are the first and most etfcciual means, fol
awakening and continuing public interest, in ~
l rcullural improvement. Their main object
1 have mentioned /; il may be well to speak oil q
few of their contingent advantages.
!, And, lst Most men are found to 60 with the
majority, merely for the sake OF being IN the
fashion, or with desire OF keeping up with lheiI
D neichbors. Hence il q number OF the farmers
: of a county or district, are disposed TO move ~
n this natter the rema lnder will be far more like.
ly TO follow their leading.than that OF isolated IN
diy,duals. Tho good produced by them vii
therefore be more general than that caused by
: solitary efforts.
1 ID The annual or semi. annual assembling to-
n pether of the agricultural class, bringing with
:, them the best specimens OF their stock and pro
= duce, has . tendency to command more OF the
= respect, Of other classes Of men, than would be
either felt or manifested towards them # no
i. enforced by these gatherings. When the far