84 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



Perhaps, however, you will answer the arguments advanced at 

 this convention by saying, "Well, our business is all right now 

 and we need not worry about the future." This may be a satis- 

 factory argument, but it is a short-sighted one. We must real- 

 ize the responsibility that rests upon us towards the boys and 

 girls who will be the men and women after us. Are we going to 

 run this country down so that the boys and girls will have to 

 move away and leave these snug farms and homes? Is that a 

 pleasant picture? Is that fair and just to the country? If 

 there is no other ground upon which to appeal to a man to keep 

 up the fertility of the soil, there is a patriotic one. If he has 

 faith in the future of his country, if he wants to see it develop 

 and become one of the best countries to live in under the sun, he 

 must pay some attention to this matter of keeping up its 

 resources, so that the constantly increasing population may find 

 not only a living but wealth. I think this is a common duty, for 

 both the people of the Union and the Dominion of Canada. We 

 are young countries, and we both have great opportunities, mor- 

 ally, financially and socially. I hope to see both countries work- 

 ing together hand in hand in friendly intercourse for the devel- 

 opment of this great American continent. 



