Litchfield enquirer., 1851-11-13
LITCHFIELD ENQUIRER
LTTCMFIELD, November IS. 1851.
For the Enquirer,
Agricultural Societies, Fairs, &C.


miscellaneous reading, that now falls in
our way is, the various accounts Of agri-
cultural Societies, Fairs, Cattle Shows,
etc, that have lately been held in seve-
rel of the States, Counties, etc. They
are interesting because they indicate not
only a disposition to improve. but actu-
al progress and Improvement. The whole
country seems to be waking up to It's
true interests. II Agriculture is the great
business of the American people, it is
highly important that it should be con-
Quoted on right principles. Enough has
already been done at random enough to
show the necessity of science and system
in this noblest, this most honorable and
useful calling Of the great body Of the
American people.
The importance of attention to Agri.
cultural improvement will be manifest,
when we consider, not only, that it is the
tillsge Of the soil that sustains human life,
but also. that our country is the last
country to be inhabited. and that it is
fast becoming filled with people. There
is no other "Great ContinenL" yet to be
discovered. to which mankind can repair
when this shall become exhausted by bad
management and injudicious culture. Let
US contemplate the possibility of such a
state Of things before the destiny of man
shall be fulfilled, and we shall begin to
realize the Importance of an enlightened
agricultural population. and an enlight'
ened system of agriculture.
The world cannot afford to have our
lands ruined by bad management enough
has already been done in this way. The
present generation must redeem what Is
already lost. and guard against the con-
tinuance and extension of the evil. And
how is this to be done? l answer, by
the energy and enlightened action Of our
farmers themselves. aided by the light Of
science.
1t is to our Agricultural Societies and
their Accomplishments that we are to look
for the influence, the moving power. that
is to accomplish this important end. The
influence Of these upon each other. and
upon the world, is only Beginning to be
felt. What has been done is only pre-
lude to greater achievements. The time
is doubtless not fer distant when all who
are really interested. will realize and app
preciate that interest.
The influence of these societies, faris,
and shows is seen; 1st. in that spirit Of
emulation which they create and which
manifests itself in efforts at improvement.
the fruits Of which are seen even by the
careless observer: among which are i'm
provsments in stock and the management
Of it. IN agricultural implements and pro-
ductions, in the management Of the farm,
The raising Of grain. fruit. ETC., etc.
cd. 1t is seen in its effect on the So
cial condition Of society. The meeting Of
so many people on sub ject of so gene
raj interest. under circumstances Of so
great intimacy and familiarity, cannot fail
10 exert salutary and sociaiizing int1u.
ence on the whole. The formation Of
new acquaintance, the few interchanges
Of views, and tic confidence thereby in
pied. must necessarily tend to the gen,
eral improvement of society, both social
ly and morally. But to particularize a
little more. (for the importance Of the
subject is sufficient Justification this
social influence is seen, .......
Sd. In its tendency to disseminate in>
formation. This is done not only by the
interchange Of views. as alre ady stated.
but in the spirit of enquiry that the whole
exhibition is calculated to promote. This
spirit, when awakened, will not remain
inactive. Those who see will think and
talk, and those WHO think will act. Hence
must arise disposition to read and in>
vestiga.e. and investigation must lead to
Hence, ...
9Th. The social influence will be felt in
its tendency to remove prejudice. All
prejudice is founded in ignorance Hence
the dissemination Of light must soon put
an end to the numerous prejudices that
exist against the various departments of
practical science, and especially of "sci-
ence applied to Agriculture" ..'
Finally, the influence of these lnstitu-
tons must be not only beneficial but last
ing. and must tend to bring about that
state in human society in which will be
realized Tire greatest Development Of the
human faculties. the big hest degree Of
human perfection, and the greatest a.
mount Of human enjoyment. The ten
dency of all human improvement. is, to-
wards human perfection. The final per-
lection of the social state, is doctrine
believed. ESQ far as that perfec-
lion can be realized 10 such a world as
Ihis.) and that perfection can be brought
about only BY human agency, guided by
the light and supported by the power Of
truth. That agency is already
in operation, and time IS slowly deyel.
Dpeing It's fruits. What shall we say
lien Of the Farmers calling? Certain
", il properly directed. its influence is
Inle,ior 70 none. save that whose Office is
:. not of this world" 70 which it is inti-
ma.ely allied in working out the final
perfection Of the social. intellectual and