The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-11-03
Gbe weeklq Mlnnesutian.

Address Of Martin Mcleod, Esq, before The Ter:
ritsriai and HennsPin Aesicui I. Socissy,a at
the I7sh and 18Th October, 1855.
Mr. President and Gentlemen -
1t will not, I hope, be expected of me on
this occasion that I should speak either
learnedly or very practically upon the SUBJ
iect which more Immediately interests your
Society.
Not being to the "manor born," and as
vet not having had much experience in
the theory or practical pursuit of Agricul-
ture, it is only in compliance with repeated
requests of members of your Society, and a
desire to contribute my mite as resident of
the pleasant and favored County, in aid of
our County Society, that I am now induced
to appear before you.
With your permission then, shall address
you in general terms, leaving practical and
scientific detail to the discussion of the more
experienced members of your Society,"
plan which has, believe, been frequently
suggested by other Societies, and one which
you may deem worthy of adoption. Thus
for instance, it has been recommended that
instead of one address, at one meeting, from
some distinguished speaker filled with
flowery sentences, long, rambling poetic quo
tations about the nobleness and dignity of
the farmers calling "-let there be if posi-
bic series of meetings, where number of
agricultural men of practical common sense
and extensive experience, could meet and
discuss the subject in which you are more
particularly interested. These men, capable
of giving the most reliable information, could
be formed into committees to report, and
many of them might be induced to talk who
would not feel the necessity or the inclina-
ton to make a "set speech at either a
general or special meeting of their society.
Therefore, I trust that my remark will be
taken, as merely Introductory to more able
and useful ones from members of your So
ciety, or other gentlemen present who are
more familiar with this theme, than / pos
sibly can be, or supposed to be.
"To subdue the earth was one of the first
duties assigned to man, and now in his fallen
condition, it remains among the most excel
lent of his occupations" This aphorism of
one of the wisest and best of American
statesmen, is not only strictly true and
philosophic, but will continue to increase in
strength and appropriateness as time rolls
onward. Its conclusion is peculiarly appli-
cable to the region, its soil and climate, and
the moral and intellectual condition and pro-
gress of its inhabitants, particularly upon
those to whom devolves the-perhaps ar
duous-but noble duty of preparing the flu
ture happy homes of generations.
We have the basis of agricultural success
excellent soil, and healthful and invigorat-
ing climate, and there is perhaps no step
which can be taken, promising so much to
favor this desired result, than the united eff
forts of County Agricultural Societies. By
meeting, and comparing productions and
opinions, a proper rivalry and healthy
emulation is produced. One farmer is en-
abled to profit by the knowledge and success
of another.
Thought begets thought, hence progress.
What we first want is perhaps this, By
better cultivation of the soil, by the use of
improved agricultural machinery, by the in
PRODUCTION of superior kinds of seed, and by
the improvements of the breeds of the diff
ferent domestic animals, to make the earth
yield from fifty to one hundred per cent.
more than at present, at the same cost. But
to do this, mutual consultation and assis-
lance are essential" It is not by isolated
and individual exertion, but by united and
associated action, that rapid progress is to
be made and general interest awakened.
Continual improvement in the knowledge
and practice of farming are promoted by the
well directed energies of Agricultural Socie-
ties. Then, annual competitions are the
means of bringing together under one view
the farm implements, cattle and productions,
for competition and general information and
although some may decline, what they per-
chance consider loss of time and pecuniary
means, this is not only a most Improbable
but an ungenerous calculation for the mind
that entertains it, and it is to be hoped will
be at once renowned by all who have correct
ideas of the advantages of reciprocity, and
good fellowship with their brother farmers.
At this time it may not be improper
to suggest, that one Of the earliest objects of
your societies should be to form Library
for the practical and scientific study and
promotion of agriculture, and the subjects
connected Herewith. The past ten years
have witnessed very manifest advance in
the agricultural literature of the country.
Many of the periodicals now published are
OF strictly practical character, truly adapt
ed to the wants of the farmer; and by the
continual dissemination of valuable statisti-
cal and able articles from practical and scien-
tific men, these magazines are rapidly adj
vancing the success of agricultural pursuits.
and elevating those who pursue it. Through
these useful journals, habits of reading are
encouraged, and tastes for useful, scientific,
and practical improvement follow, which
otnerwise might have remained dormant, or
In abeyance. The rapid increase also of
tnese useful Journals is striking evidence of