Year: 1861




rent-throughout the State, when this Office
first commenced its general distributions
in the spring of 1859.


The greatest omission by parties receiv-
ing seeds, plants, &c, was the failure of
those who were successful in their cultiva-
tion, to report their yield. adaptabi'ity to
our soil and climate, with the mode Of
culture, &c, all of which they pledged
themselves to do. The experience of all
combined, when made public, as was the
design, would have proven as valuable as
the seed itself. Here and there, where
superior variety may have failed and been
rejected as worthless, the seed may have
been successful with large majority; by
reporting this fact it would have been re
stored to the confidence of the parties who
had rejected it. Much of this omission,
may, however, yet be remedied, by send
ing their reports'to this Office Immediately;
and if there are any reports in the hands
CT agents, they will please forward them
to this office, that the public may have the
benefit of them, through my annual report
to the Governor


The failure to comply with the instruc-
tions from this Office and the pledges given
by most of the recipients of Seeds is owing,
no doubt in a great degree to the want of
a proper system of keeping journal Of
doings on the farm, or rather the omission
altogether of any kind of farm record.
had hoped by requiring such a record and
report from the recipient of seeds, that it
would have been so far complied with as
to exhibit to the persons on whom the
task was imposed, the benefit resulting
therefrom, which would be so evident as
to cause its adoption in all his farm ope-
rations. How far may have succeeded
in securing so desirable a result. | have
little or nothing from them to give me any
satisfactory data. That such records must
be kept with the view Of future improve
ment, as well as debit and credit account
of all that enters into farm economy
such as the cost of all that is produced
upon the farm and all that may be fed from
these productions-before our farmers can
fully realize the necessity of improvement,
is we'll settled fact with all who do pur-
sue such system. Our farmers mast be-
gin this much needed reformation some
time, it they ever expect to advance i'll ag-
ricultural Improvement Why not now
This is an important question, and it wo'd
be we'll that the reader applies it to himself
But to make this personal application is
the great difficulty, not only in farming
but in everything else, where it is unpleas
ant and involves self-condemnation. 1t is
the greatest stumbling block in the way
of the preacher of the Word of Life, to
make any one of his hearers believe that
he refers to him when making general de-
nunciations. There is no difficulty in
obtaining unanimous vote ofany number
of farmers, especially in the west, for the
affirmative of the proposition that farming
/ in all is ra1n;fcations is not conducted as
! 1t should be. and that Mre must be a great
! improvement to make IL as remuneratrc as
ii couM and should be mads; but is there
one person in ten. even of such as make
this admission, willing to admit before his
brother farmers that he is one Of those to
whom it should be applied! leave the
response to the reader, who will, ! think,
say No, as am inclined to do. But sup
pose we are incorrect in our reply, the pre-
vious proposition being granted by all,
why then do not all interested do what
they can to induce reform, when they ad
NIT reform is so much needed!


Although Burns says in his address to
the mouse turned up by the plow,


"-Thc best laid schemes O mice an men,


Gang aft agley,"


am not one Of those who desp ir, but
when one plan fails, try another, and to
give that other plan of communication and
experiment with our farmers. is the princi
pal object of this letter-which is to be
hoped, if adopted, will lay broad and
firm foundation for the needed reform. and
one which will give the operations of this
office, and every other institution having
fer its object agricultural advancement, ali
impetus never before felt in this State


The plan referred to is the organization
throughout the State of


FARMERS NEIGHBoRHooD CLUBS,


having for their object discussion on agri-
cultural topics, and elcting the results of
the experience Of its members in farming.
rearing stock. &c. &c. These clubs have
long been in existence in the Eastern
States. and here and there in the Western
States, even in our own, for some years.
The beneficial results growing out Of such
organizations where they are well conduct
ed and regularly attended, are not proper
ly appreciated by our farmers; if they
! were they would as soon think Of dispens
| ing with their schools, as fail to enjoy the
! advantages of these clubs. Who that reads
/ the discussions of the Farmers Club Of the
American Institute, as published in the n.
Y. Tribune, does 50 without profit ? 1t
would require much longer letter than ]
now propose to send you, to ennmerate all
/ the advantages of these organizations, but
will give few of them:


lst-By frequently meeting together, it
promotes neighborhood sociabiIity, and
serves to unite all its members for mutual
protection in all matters pertaining to their
common interests In union there is wis
dom as well as strength Divided in into
rest for want of common understanding,
our farmers are more apt to be imposed
upon in every way, than almost any other
class of community.


2d-A comparison of experience in re
gard to farming operations will lead to the
| adoption of the best systems.


Sl-ln regard tn ayparimeptS ia Iecilp