Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1859-04-08
agricultural.

For the Waterman.
AGRICULTURAL AND LITERARY
ASSOCIATIONS

AoSOClAl lONo.
Mr.. EDITOR My purpose in this article
is to call attention to the importance and
probability of forming town associations.
which shall have for their object the promo
ton of the agricultural, intellectual and NOR
al interests of the people. That these inter-
ests are intimately connected as general rule
throughout the State is obvious when we com
slider the peculiar characteristics of our soci-
ETY.. Ours is preeminently an agricultural
State. A large majority of our population
are engaged in this pursuit. The wealth.
developed and undevcloped, is invested there:
our farmers are our nobility-uur moncvcd
aristocracv If such we have, at the present
day The Young men and women who arc
giving energy and character to the society
and Institutions not only Of our own but of
many other States also, arc the sons and
daughters, not Of our merchants, mechanics
and professional men. but chiefly of the far
mers Of Vermont. Hence the development
of the wealth, intelligence and morality of
the State is the work of the farmers and it
is an enquiry of vital importance 70 each and
every citizen Of this commonwealth. as TO
what arc the best means of developing the
resources OF the soil and mind of the State
From what observation and thought have
given to the subject, do not hesitate to as
sert that among the best means to accomplish
these ends are associations which shall unite
all sects, professions, ages and sexes. in one
town or more as may be advisable, in the
common purpose of mutual benefit which
shall aim to stimulate personal effort. to re-
duce theoretical to experimental farming. and
convert knowledge into intelligence and pow
err by drawing forth thought into written or
oral form, by exercises in composition and
cxtemporaneuus debate A high degree of
proficiency has already been attained by our
enterprsing and intelligent yeomanry in the
various improvements of the day in this great
fundamental art of civilization vet a far
higher degree Of improvement is attainable
both in the means and modes of larminp-in-
deed, what has been ACCOMPLISHED seems only
to suggest what is poss bic Our agricultural
literature is at present of comparativclv little
value but let the same persons who now
read it meet from time to time, and discuss
the merits of theories and plans. give the re-
suits of experiments and observations. and
its value would be greatly enhanced. and our
farmers proportionally benefited. Apricultu-
raj papers, fairs, and many other existing
means. so far as available. are at present doing
much: but more can be done ii. in coniunc-
ton with these helps, we can have the bene-
fit of such associations as are contemplated in
this article Our long winter evenings. than
which none can be more pleasant can in no
manner be better improved than by occasional
public literary exercises. The influences
both direct and indirect. legitimately result
ing from the exercises of a well conducted
literary society are bv far too numerous 10 he
enumerated in this connection. few. how.
ever. deserve passing notice; Opnortunity
is thus afforded to those who feel disposed
for personal improvement in public speaking
Much talent lies dormant much Thought (.
Intellectual for good. from the want of oppor.
tunity to exercise the one and express m,
other in proper form. on proper occasions A
greater number would be likely to embrnc,
the opportunity thus offered for exnressin,
their thoughts in the various STYLES of com
position Exercises in instrumental and yo
cal music would benefit few. and give pleas
ure. if not profit. to all. If proncrlv CON
Quoted. the moral tone of society will be cf
fectually elevated. for a resort is afforded /,
youth which has not the evil tendencies O
many of the amusements extensively preva
lent; generous ambition is usually awaken
ed for the attainment Of honorable ends
instead Of base desire for corrupting an,
foolish habits Such societies are democratic
bringing all classes and conditions of men on
to the same common level, and furnishing II
return equal privileges to all. They tend +,
create community of sentiment and feelinl
among the different religious sects. politica
parties and professions, where so much un
necessary division and ascerbity is likely 4
exist / have known instances where tho ri