418 



now make us. Therefore, wisdoua would say, keep the capital stock 

 well supplied. 



There is another subject to which I w'ish to call your especial atten- 

 tion. I believe at the present time we are nearly or quite free in this 

 county from those noxious weeds which infest older countries. I mean 

 the Canada Thistle and Red Root. Whenever these weeds get the start 

 on farms, they neaiiy or quite ruin them for wheat growing. Now, 

 gentlemen, you cannot be too cautious in watching these weeds. The 

 Red Root w^as introduced in western New York, by purchasing clover 

 seed which contained it. A httle observation will detect it. This seed 

 is but a little larger than clover seed and nearly of the same coIot. Its 

 shape, however, is not like clover seed, which is round, but nearly the 

 form of buckwheat. Farmers are sometimes under the necessity of pur- 

 chasing clover seed, and they should be very cautious if it be foreign 

 seed. If this pest should ever visit us, we shall find it an unwelcome 

 intruder, and its stay wiU be nearly durable. 



,;I have heard reports of small patches of the Canada Thistle in FUnt 

 and Davison, but know nothing of it certainly. If such be the case, 

 gentlemen, be vigilant in keeping it within its present limits, for it can 

 be said of that, as it is said in the good Book : " one sinner spoiletb 

 much good." 



I have serious doubts whether any remedy has ever been discovered 

 which will entirely eradicate these two plants. I have seen several 

 methods tried, but when binding wheat where they ever had been, my 

 hands always felt the evidence of their existence. 



The life of the farmer is a life of severe toil, but at the same time it 

 is rich in the comforts which it affords, and richer still in the indepen- 

 dence which springs from it. He lives not alone for himself. The 

 blessings which his calling is to bequeath to posterity, invests it with an 

 unusual degree of interest. He lives for the benefit of mankind. No 

 country can prosper without him, and no government exist without. Ho 

 builds our school houses and roads, and contributes largely to the con- 

 struction and support of our temples of worship. Then, fellow farmers, 

 be not ashamed of your calling, but rather be proud and truly thankful 

 that under God your lot has been cast in this plea.sant and fiuitful coun- 



