258 ILLINOIS STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



wet and dry are uncontrollable disadvantages. The weevil, beetle and 

 grasshopper appear, and the field, beautiful to-day, is to-morrow desolate 

 and dead ; pestilence and death visit the stock ; late and early frosts and 

 disease may destroy grain and vegetables. So rural life has its thorns as 

 well as roses, shade as well as sunshine, disaster as well as success. But 

 with application, enthusiasm and energy success is certain, health is 

 assured, and an honorable position attained. 



VV. N. Grover criticised the essay as rather predominating in the 

 poetical and imaginative. The latter part of the essay, treating on some 

 of the backsets of the farmers' experiences, compensated somewhat for 

 the flowery view taken. He would like to see it published. Mr. G. 

 dwelt at some length, contrasting the conditions of rural with city life. 



Mr. Hathaway said there were two sides to the question. Happi- 

 ness was not confined either to the city or country. Men leave the coun- 

 try and go to the city to acquire wealth, get rich, then go to the country 

 for enjoyment. The business men of the city work more hours than 

 those in the country. It was the disposition, talents and acquirements 

 which conduced to happiness. 



Dr. Hay commended the essay. He agreed with Mr. Grover as to 

 its poetical character. Unalloyed pleasure was not to be expected in any 

 profession. He liked the view taken to have a good share of enthusiasm, 

 and quoted Dr. Franklin's father, who constantly urged his sons to be 

 diligent, " For he that is diligent in his calling shall stand before kings ;" 

 and Dr. Franklin fully illustrated the proverb. He said any man, with a 

 good constitution and well-balanced mind, may attain respectability in 

 any calling, but most men like to retire to the farm and mingle with the 

 scenes of rural life — as Clay, Webster and others. The tendency to rush 

 to the city is wrong ; there is not as much enthusiasm in rural life as there 

 should be. 



Mr. Piggott admitted the essay was a little flowery, but what was 

 .any thing worth if not well executed and painted ? To enjoy rural life it 

 was not necessary to be rich. Intellect finds a congenial home on the 

 farm ; brain work is just as necessarily required on the farm as in 

 commercial pursuits ; he knew many cases where men commenced poor, 

 without a dollar, that were now worth twenty or thirty thousand dollars, 

 — it was brain work that had done it. Rural life affords the finest opportu- 

 nities for the development of the man. 



W. N. Grover commended 'Squire Piggott's remarks, and said the 

 jprizes were few^ but that a limited number reached the top. 



