New Hampshire Statesman

The Annual Cattle Shows and Fairs of the Agricultural Societies in this and the neighboring States occur during the present month. From what we can learn, we doubt not, but the exhibitions this year, will far exceed those of former ones; not only in quantity, but in the quality and variety of the articles exhibited. Beyond all question, the Agricultural Societies have been vastly beneficial to the farming interests of our country, and ought to be encouraged. No man can travel through the New-England States, without being struck with the improvements which have been made in the farming establishments throughout this section of country. The farmers, who are certainly the bone and muscle of the country, cultivate and improve the soil, rather than impoverish and let it run to waste, as was formerly too much the practice. It is now no uncommon thing, to see the dwellings and out-houses of our farmers, neat and elegant: their farms well fenced, and well stocked with thriving cattle; their implements of husbandry of the best kind, and in the best order; and in short their establishments throughout, bearing the marks of science, industry and economy; and, although last, not least, health and happiness.

It might cause some surprise, that amid the great and important improvements which have continually been made in the arts and sciences generally, agriculture should so long remain stationary, or rather, perhaps, retrograde; did we not know that land has been so plenty and cheap that it was considered hardly worth improving. But whatever may have been the cause, the fact is indisputable, that agriculture in this country, has been shamefully neglected, till within a few years past. We are glad now to see the yeomanry awake; fully sensible of their best interests; and zealously progressing in improvements, which will, ere long, present to the eye of the traveller, such beautiful farm-houses and fields as he finds in England or France.