Bloomington Herald

Agriculture.—Having determined, for the future, to devote a much larger space in our paper to agriculture, we crave the assistance of our farmers in that department. So far we have given but little on the subject, but under the circumstances we found it impossible to do otherwise. We have been in receipt of excellent agricultural periodicals, but the state of agriculture in our community is so far behind that generally treated in such works, we found them unsuited to our present condition. Besides this, they are not calculated for our prairie soil and climate. It is apparent to all that we, as a people, must promote the agricultural art by all possible means, before we can reach that destination to which nature has so well adapted our country. Then it becomes the duty alike of all to contribute their mite in furthering the cause.

Under the present condition of our country, we must rely upon our own experience for present improvement, but even this will greatly aid those who have recently come among us, and know but little of our soil and climate. Then as a beginning, let our farmers give their experience as to the best method of cultivating the various articles they have experimented upon, and soon all will enjoy the benefits of their experiments, which, perhaps, cost years to perfect. Unless this is done, we cannot promise that our agricultural department will be found interesting and useful.

By the way, what say you, Farmers, to the establishment of an agricultural society? One in each county would be of infinite service in hastening on a more perfect state of agriculture. Rely upon it, you shall have all the assistance we are capable of rendering. By late reports of agricultural societies in Illinois, we see they are far advanced, where but a few years ago they were as far in the back grounds as we are now.