256 ILLINOIS STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



He may know that the life of the insect not discernible to the naked eye 

 is essential and instructive, and plays its parts in the economy of the uni- 

 verse as much as the leviathan that plows the deep. Their structure, 

 life, production and disease excite in him consideration and emotion. 

 From the lower animals may be gained the most important facts in rela- 

 tion to ourselves. In the animal economy, as in the vegetable kingdom, 

 are found many things in common. So strongly and strangely true is 

 this, that there is a time in the embryonic period when it is impossible to 

 state whether a snake or a chick, a Darwin or a monkey, is to spring 

 forth. As in the growth of shrubs, physiology and chemistry have 

 removed the vail of mystery that once hid from his view the growth of 

 the animal. At an early period in life may be observed the marks of 

 the Durham, Morgan and Merino, and their habits and requirements 

 described with accuracy. 



In the study of man he finds much to interest and instruct. His 

 sociability, integrity, capacity and polish are constantly before him. In 

 his rural capacity he may be surrounded with every thing that enlightens 

 and ennobles the mind. In early morning the merry lark awakens him, 

 and in the evening he is soothed to slumber by the nightingale and whip- 

 poor-will. He has every thing in the height of perfection for the nour- 

 ishment of body and mind. His food consists of fresh fruits, vegetables 

 and meats, with a good well of sparkling spring water to slake his thirst. 

 He is strengthened with the pure air of heaven by day and recuperates in 

 it by night. In the sunlight he beholds his strength. Teachers, private 

 and public, special and general, physical and metaphysical, may fill his 

 library. And his leisure evenings and days should be given to acquiring 

 a knowledge of them. He may marshal around him the bright lights of 

 every age and profession. His mind may have the best training the mas- 

 ters afford. * * * * q^iig sciences, arts and professions are laid 

 before him. He may visit workshops and offices and penetrate into the 

 halls of church and State. 



It is the product of the soil that has built our cities, made our canals, 

 caused our railroads to be built, telegraphs to be run, and ships to be 

 constructed. The farming community is the nation's security. If 

 properly conducted, agriculture is an exhaustless treasure ; most other 

 kinds of business are more or less dependent on it. The farm is a fixed 

 home, eternal as the hills. Whether there be rising or falling in the 

 market, it is still the home, and furnishes the comforts and necessaries for 

 the fireside. The farmer can, with rare exceptions, raise every thing that 

 is essential or desirable, so that he may truly be considered the most 

 independent of business men. If we glance for a moment at the 

 merchant, we find that he is dependent not on the amount of goods on 

 hand, but on the profit and rapidity of his sales — he must sell to live. 

 And the manufacturer must find sales with a margin, that his family may 

 be supported. And so it is with every class that does not draw its supply 

 directly from the soil. The learned professions are entirely dependent. 

 The doctor, attorney and theologian must find patients, clients and 

 followers, in order to furnish their table with the necessaries of life. 



