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century would exhibit among their planting grounds, in the way of agri- 

 cultural improvement. So, I fancy would this audience be surprised, 

 could some magic hand cast forward the horoscope, and show to them 

 what improvements, even here, another hundred years are destined to 

 present. The spirit of the age is progress. In every branch of industry, 

 the genius of man is dispelling the darkness of the past, and chaining 

 the elements to his car of triumph. The declaration of the Scripture is 

 being more than fulfilled — not only has man "sought out many inven- 

 tions," but he is asserting his privilege and prerogative to seek out 

 many more. It is time that the farmer woke up to his duties and his 

 privileges. It is not enough that he is as wise as his fathers were. It is 

 not enough that he watches the changes of the moon and the approaches 

 of the doof star — not enouc^h that he waits for the times and the seasons, 

 and even prays to Him who guides Arcturus with his sons, and binds the 

 sweet influences of Pleiades. He must apply practical science to his daily 

 efforts. He must walk by the lights which modern improvement has 

 spread around him. He must profit by example, by precept, by study 

 and by reflection, or he is not as wise as he ought to be, or as successful 

 as he might be. He must not jog on, in the slow, heavy lumber wagon 

 of past days, or the railroad train of the present will sweep by him, and 

 pass out of sight on the track of progi'css. 



But above all, the American Farmer should not slacken his efforts 

 nor abate his desires to acquire skill in all that appertains to his calling. 

 He should remember that ao-riculture is the ffreat business of the Ame- 

 rican People ; that it is the source of their wealth, and the just object of 

 their pride and glory ; that the American people occupy an eminence 

 above the rest of mankind, in liberty and civilization ; that the eye of 

 the world is upon us, and the sounding tread of the nations, far down 

 in the depth below, echoes in our ears, warning us to press forward and 

 make room for them. 



Again : — The American Farmer should be a temperate man. All 

 experience and all history demonstrate that intoxicating drinks add no 

 permanent vigor to the limb, or energy to the intellect. In man and in 

 woman, in youth and in age, in toil and in rest, even their temperate use 

 can only be justified as a doubtful luxury and not as a useful beverage. 

 The mother of Sampson was commanded by an angel from Heaven to 

 "Drink not wine or strong drink." 



