Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-01-02
AGRICULTURAL PRIZE ESSAY.

Wrfttea for the Rutland County Agricul-
tural Society By E, j, MANLEY, ESQ,
of Nest Rutland ~ w"
|, The object and benefits of Fairs.
2 The relative benefits of the Farm
ing and Mechanical interests. a.s,
In this advanced degree of civilization,
when rival spirit prevails, not of selfish
motives, but for the elevation and adyan- |
tage OF mechanical and farming interests,
it is BETTING and necessary that, once a
year, the Farmers and Mechanics should
meet together to compare the products OF
the farm and the wares Of the shops and
storehouses. Experience has proved this
to be true. We have not to &c back
twenty years to contrast the condition of
stock and mechanics
Then the noble sire of worthy proge-
yn was scarcely known beyond the limits
of the farm. Then the valuable products
were garnered and re-garnered unknown
beyond the limits of the neighborhood.
Then valuable importations were made
known only by individual to individual,
and thus slowly communicated throughout
the State, or else published merely as a
new thing, without detailing its benefits
bysgiving TIA supremacy over other arti-
Giles of kindred nature.
Now, the valuable horse, the OK and the
cow, are brought before representatives
from every county and town in the State,
who are able IN those united efforts to es-
tablish ., standard OF progress and of re-
production.
Now, the best acre, whether OF wheat
or Of corn, can take it's appropriate place
in the agricultural reports of the county
or State; telling by its large yield that a
new g mode of operation has been re-
sorted to to procure 50 great yield
Now, the mechanic caa exhibit the prod
uct5 Of his shop,--aene9 invention by him
perhaps is laid before the committee fol
their approval Or disapproval, which il
approved will give new impetus to the
mechanisms and inventions of man.
Thus il each branch OF industrial pursui
encouraged, giving higher and noblel
ain TO the pursuits,of life. But let us
not forget that an elevation of the me
chanicabapd farming interests is not al
elevation IF these alone.
The mind engaged in these pursuits i;
all the white enlarging in its views; every
ney invention calls forth the best geniu,
of the ee,satv on State, and when once
spent upon new invention or new way
Of raising large crop, tie same is given
TO the world through the Fairs, Sc that
the masses are elevated and bettered by
their exhibition Although this, i lhe
natural way of the transmission Of knowl
edge, Il escapes due notice in agricultu'
ral reports. Therefore, an exhibition Of
the products OF the farm and the shop are
moi exhibitions of mere physical products,
but an exhibition Of talent and native
genius.
It has been . question OF much lmpoE'
lance between farmers and mechanics te
know which by their occupation will be
the greatest benefactor to the race.
First, we admit that the mechanic can
not live without the farmer. NO more
can the farmer live without the mechanic
Ii remains then to prove to which tn
masses are under the greatest obligation
Ii is universal maxim that the tarme
is the most independent OF any person.
Especially people of an advanced ag
claim this to be particularly true, Will
we admit that three-quartcrs OF centur.
ago the standard of mechanics was yer.
low. and farmer was very much out
his place who took pillow or rake ava
ffom his own bench for repairs. Thi
mode Of procedure has done and will q
for some; we by nature are mechanic
but who of a choice become farmers. :
But some farmers of antiquated sentimen
whom God has endowed with no peculi;