The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-07-27
agrifultmal.
For ns Union and Eastern JOuTaa.
AGRICULTURE ABROAD.

The Highland Agricultural Society,"
Of Scotland, is perhaps tho mos, powerful
and useful Agricultural Association in the
word So popular, indeed has j, become,
,ha, Scotch proprietor Of landod property
would consider himself dsgraced by moi
being member. And so highly is this
honor considered by all classes, ,ha, even
many Of the tsnGairy have obtained the
privilege Of having their names recorded on
the hcnored list.
An able writer, speaking Of this society,
and the wonderful impetus which, though
its agency, has been communicated 10 the
cause OF Agriculture in Scotland, says
Besides tho large amount given annually in
premiums, a: the Cattle Show, immense
sums are discussed in forwarding the Gu
closure and improvement Of tho
"Muis and moses many"
with which that country formerly abounded.
Under the fostering care Of this Society
everywhere extending aud ever followed by
the bes, results, barren wild' have become
fruitful fields, and plenty and abundance
are in all the land land.n
Another very pTaisewor,hy and import
ant feature in the policy Of this enlightened
Society, is the Offering Of high premiums
and honorary medals for the bes, essays on
Agriculture; the prize essays being record.
ed in the " Quarterly Journal Of dgrieti-
turs,"-a work conducted under the auspi-
ces Of the Society, and which, containing
an account OF its transactions, Is Of course a
very valuable and interesting work.
From number Of the "BeTtsiek Adrsr.
tiser, published some years sinco' we gath
or the following facts relative ~ then re-
cent exhibition. The writer says:
"The concourse OF people was immense,
embracing a large portion Of the wealth,
beauty and learning OF both sides Of the
Twcede; and even Ireland had its repre-
ser;aiives there" There wero entered for
competition at this show, nine kgRdred and
sirty.t,Oo head Of cattle, including horses,
nea, cattle, sheep and swine. The premi-
ums ranged from 900 10 5 sove,eigns, en-
bracing everything having reference TO, or
having any connection with, the farming
art.
The associations instituted of late in this
country, and hayins for their object the
ameilOra,ion Of Agriculture, have no doubt
been instrumental in efeciing large
amount Of good; but there are many i'm.
perIeclious Involved in the system, and a
large part Of the money expended, is little
better than thrown away. In the frs, place,
tho addresses, generally by ministers or
lawyers, aIe anything but wha, they should
be. In word, they are not practical, and
with this exception, a few eulOgisiic flour
ishss upon Agriculture, contain nothing
which would not recommend them to an
audience composed Of politicians, as 10 a
society prOfcsselly Of farmers. The speak.
or gets his pay for the composition and dc.
livery Of the trashy efIusiOn, and tho farmer
whose purse Is taxed to dclray the expense,
re,ires as wise, j, may be, but no wiser, than
he came. This is not as il should be-
Practical men are the persons lor this work;
and such, ultimately, will be selected ,C
give the addresses a, such Shows and Ag.
riculiural fairs. The farmer has little oc,
ccasion iorihe.oTic and Jeilss leiiire li,era.
ture /; he requires something more solid,
practical and directive in its effecs. Such
men as Dr.. Holmes, James Bates and many
others that could DO named. would con.
duse more useful and valuable information
into single sentence than can generally
be cleaned rom who'll pages Of tho long.
winded aud worthless performances 10 which
we arc ordinarily compelled 10 lis.sn, and
from which every well regulated and scnsi-
bic mind Telires, always with emptiness,
and no, unIsequen,ly with disgust. AnO,h.
or serious evil, and by no means TO be oycT-
lOOstu w WS SouuSOhOii ~ Auo sclcCuus
men 10 &c, on committees who are utterly
incompetent to discharge, inielligen,ly,
the duties the oHics devolves upOr
them. It's no, unlrequcn,ly the case ,ha
the horticultural committees, on such Occa
sions, are found, upon examination, 10 b,
composed OF mechanics, merchants OF team
siers; men who, though very useful il
their proper 81 heres Of action, and highly
intelligent, so FAR US the management o
their own business is concerned, scarcely
know the meaning Of the word hOT,icul
ture, and who would be puzzled 10 decide
without assistance, 10 what department, j
Of science i, belongs. Tho same remarI
applies, with equal correctness, 10 the o,he
Committees. I,may perhaps be said ,ha
this is an unavoidable evil. To certain
extent, admit that j, Is so; but no mar
who is conscious Of his inability, faithfully
and iudiciously 10 periOm tho duties Of al
Office, should accep, il.