202 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



It was that process which created within us conscience and intel- 

 lect that give whatever of value there may be to our influence upon 

 public opinion. And the same process is still going on, and will 

 continue its operations. Let us hope it may never be less effective; 

 whether it shall be or not is a question for us to determine. No 

 doubt, every parent who has had occasion to feel great anxiety for 

 his child, has at times asked himself whether he ever caused such 

 anxiety to his parents ; and if so, whether there can be such a thing 

 as " paying for one's raising." The answer doubtless is, that so far 

 as the present is concerned, no ; but the pay is exacted by nature in 

 the raising of our own children. We discharge the obligations to 

 our fathers and mothers, in part at least, by doing our duty to our 

 own offspring — and at the same time we discharge a duty to our 

 country. Speaking of home life and its influence upon character, 

 leads me to the suggestion that very much depends upon what that 

 home is. The character of the child is so impressive, that scarcely 

 anything with which it comes frequently in contact will fail to have 

 some effect upon it. If the farm be conducted upon good business 

 principles, everything in its place and a place for everything, will 

 make the boy methodical through life ; a time to do everything and 

 everything done in time, will make him prompt by habit. A tidy 

 house with flowers, shade trees and pleasant surroundings, will leave 

 a happy recollection of home upon his mind, from which he will 

 always derive pleasure and good inspirations. Too much attention 

 to these details, which indicate culture, taste, and refinement can 

 hardly be given. No occupation in the world is so independent, and 

 none is more honorable, than that of the farmer. If any farmer 

 does not feel this to be so, there is something wanting somewhere. 

 He does not properly appreciate his calling, and that is evidence that 

 he has made a mistake in selecting it. It is not to be expected that 

 every farmer will be versed in the literature and art of agriculture, 

 though it is a matter of regret that he cannot be ; for it is now well 

 demonstrated that the productive capacity of the soil may be greatly 

 increased, sometimes more than double, by careful attention to the 

 nature of the soil, by tilling it according to its nature, by raising 

 from it the peculiar crops for which it is suited, andby observing 

 the recognized rules relative to rotation of crops. Itis in this way 

 and by the various methods of renewing the soil that in old agricul- 

 tural countries, good crops are obtained from old fields. Already in 

 this State the soil in many places is suffering from inattention to the 

 simplest principles of agricultural chemistry- Now, this is not a 

 difficult science to learn ; it is not inconsistent with practical farm- 

 ing; on the contrary, it is in aid of it. The soil is easily analyzed. 

 Its character and adaptability to every crop may thus (and also by 

 experimenting some) be ascertained. The very effort in this direc- 

 tion will make the farmer's occupation more interesting, because it 

 will make it more thoughtful. The more scientific we get in any 

 business, the more intellectual we become, the more we do, as Draper 

 expresses it, " for the improvement and organization of intellect." 



Another way in which the home culture may be greatly promoted 

 is by a careful attention to the literature that comes into the house. 

 None but the best books, magazines, or newspapers ought ever to be 

 admitted. Sometimes enterprising agents of trashy, flashy, sensa- 

 tional periodicals with attractive pictures, visit farmhouses and 

 solicit subscriptions. They are generally offered very cheap, and 



