194 [Assembly 



will contrast the entries and receipts of the fair twelve years ago 

 with those of this year and the two previous years, you have 

 abundant proof of the progress made. 



Gentlemen — To understand it in its full extent, you must 

 estimate the increase of the agricultural products of the State, 

 and also mark the improvements in the quality as well as quan- 

 tity. These results have been secured by systematic toil and 

 laborious eifort, by adopting crops fitted to the soil, by careful 

 selection of stock, in a word, by having definite instructions for 

 the guide of the farmer. 



Although much has been already done, for which we should 

 be truly gratified, the objects of the Society are unaccomplished, 

 and will be until our country puts on the garb of perfection in 

 all that relates to the pursuit of the farmer. Our Society has 

 still a most important work — the advancement and perfection of 

 agriculture. The interests of agriculture are identified with the 

 true prosperity of our whole country. I do not speak of the 

 farmers merely as producers. I go farther. To a great extent 

 the character of our country will depend upon the intelligence 

 and standing of the agricultural population. They form a strong 

 conservative element in our political frame work. They are 

 removed from scenes of excitement, and living amidst nature's 

 noblest works, they can look upon all the varying scenes of pub- 

 lic aifairs calmly and dispassionately ; their habits are peaceful, 

 and nothing can add higher dignity to our nation than an intelli- 

 gent and well educated rural population. 



How shall this end be secured ? I answer, by steadily pur- 

 suing your original plan, to make the profession honorable, while, 

 at the same time, the result of toil shall bring competency with 

 it. One difficulty meets us at every step — the fear that honest 

 labor shall be degrading. This is a fallacy that never for a 

 moment should be suffered to prevail in this land, where rank 

 and title belong only to the most worthy, and thus within the 

 reach of all. The eagerness with which our young men forsake 

 the farm for the office or the merchant's counter, tells us that this 

 evil exists at the farmer's home, in many cases at least. It is a 

 most ruinous exchange, for it gives up the independence of the 

 farmer for the servile life, constantly occupied in attendance upon 



