40 [Senate 



and that farmer who is not prepared to avail himself of the benefits 

 which science and the experience of others is constantly placing be- 

 fore him, will soon find himself behind the intelligence of the age, 

 and have cause for regret, when for him it may be forever too late. 



The returns of the late census show, that in some of the best agri- 

 cultural counties of the State our population has decreased within the 

 last five years. This decrease will continue, unless we can so im- 

 prove our lands as to make it an object for our young men to remain 

 in our midst. And can this be done, unless we direct our attention 

 more than we have yet done to the education of the sons of farmers, 

 disseminate universally the benefits and improvements which science 

 has brought to light in reference to agriculture, and is it not of im- 

 portance to attend to this now 1 Delay may forever prevent our ac- 

 complishing what is so desirable and important. How frequently 

 has it happened in the histories of places and of people, who in pos- 

 session of great natural advantages, carelessly reposed themselves 

 upon these fearing no rival, and were only awakened when it was 

 too late successfully to contend with others, who by enterprize and 

 right directed effort, had secured the enjoyment of privileges which 

 they once possessed, and might ever have retained, had they been 

 but alive to their own best interests'? 



Let not the farmers of the Empire State vainly imagine that they 

 can progress only as they have heretofore done, and still maintain 

 the proud eminence to which they have attained. The progress of em- 

 pire is westward, and unless we awake to this subject and that with- 

 out delay, it will not be long before the Empire State will be num- 

 bered among those beyond the mountains. 



I would respectfully urge upon the representatives of the people 

 here assembled, to give their attention to this subject. Of how much 

 more importance is it to educate the farmer, prepare him successfully 

 to discharge his high duties as a citizeri, instruct him how he may 

 improve his farm, increase its products, add to the wealth of the 

 State, and to its prosperity, than to increase our already multiplied 

 incorporations which are drinking up our life blood, carrying our 

 wealth into the coffers of the rich of the old world, and are sustain- 

 ing in our cities the stock jobbers, who feed upon the passions of men 

 excited by their ruinous operations? 



To you we look for assistance, and shall we look in vain 1 Will 



