REVIEW. 105 



inadequate preparations and conveniences in every department. 



The difference is very plain and striking, and yet its real 

 amount can hardly be estimated. 



These things are only spoken of in this connection, however, 

 to, in some measure illustrate the effect upon community, of all 

 those influences that unsettle the stability of feeling, and perma- 

 nent purposes of farmers upon their farms. The prospect of 

 selling out at a high price during speculating times, is so tempt- 

 ing to most, opening, as it seems to, the door to immediate and 

 easy wealth, and the strong consciousness on the part of most, 

 that thorough improvements, and expensive outlays will not be 

 appreciated by purchasers, or paid for in a sale ; naturally leads 

 the cautious, who contemplate selling, to defer as far and as long 

 as possible, all these expensive, useful and economic improve- 

 ments ; and consequently eventuates in the continuance, in those 

 half-way wasteful modes of farming, to which we before re- 

 ferred. 



Thus, flush and good times, first felt in 1854, among our peo- 

 ple, laid broader and deeper those feelings of speculation and 

 unrest, which had always existed, though measurably dormant ; 

 and hence while the amount of active wealth in circulation, stimu- 

 lated some few to solid, substantial and permanent improvement ; 

 irrespective of the idea of selling out, still much greater numbers, 

 only aimed at adding acres to their already unimproved acres, 

 and fitting up, if at all, in a superficial, cheap and showy way, 

 like a jockey horse, simply for sale ; holding on for as high a 

 price as possible, and idly waiting for the lucky chance to turn 

 up. 



Such had become too much the character, feeling and practice 

 of many of the farmers of the State, at the close of this period. 

 How far those incipient fruits have since worked out their re- 

 sults for good or for ill, the observant can best judge. How 

 much of the nomadic love of wandering, buying and selling out 

 of homesteads, for the purpose of emigrating to new locations, is 

 also an important question. But top of the whole, one thing is 

 certain, and nothing more so. And that is the fact, that no 

 agricultural people can become prosperous in any eminent and 



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