44 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



built giant barns wherein to stow their bounteous harvests, I venerate the self- 

 denying enterprise that enabled theiii to overcome the obstacles inseparably 

 connected with the settlement of a new country. This may seem like an over- 

 drawn jiicture, yet it is the brief history of the mass, and not of a few, as 

 many who are now present can bear me witness. In this region, few indeed are 

 the men who have given their energies to agricultural pursuits for eight or 

 ten years, and have not risen from poverty to a competence, or increased tho 

 wealth they at first possessed. 1 was bred in a new country, and have ever 

 delighted in tracing the early history of the different communities in which I 

 have resided, but 1 never before met with an instance where so little wealth 

 was brought into a country by the first settlers, or where so large a portion of 

 them have, so soon, secured for themselves, such a desirable competence. 



But think not that these blessings have been obtained without privations 

 and toil. I love to turn back the wheels of time, and gaze upon this valley 

 when only here and there an opening was to bo seen in our primitive forests. 

 As the vision opens before me, I seek not thrilling incidents, nor hair breadth 

 escapes from the most ferocious of wild beasts. I love to dwell upon the 

 realities of every day life. Here, I perceive two men, guided for miles by a 

 spotted line, cheerfully bearing to their wild homes, the half barrel of pork, 

 that had cost them twenty days of toil. Here, I behold a man bowed by the 

 weight of his burden, as he leaves a beautiful river, and penetrates the dark 

 forest. For two successive days has he traveled, by land and water, that he 

 might get the precious grain, the first fruits of his own soil, crushed and 

 restored to his expectant family. For four miles must he yet wend his way 

 along the uneven foot path, ere he reaches the abode of his loved ones. Yonder 

 the cooling beverage is borne from the limpid spring, in a rude vessel hewn 

 from the solid wood, for in that family a pail is a luxury they do not enjoy. 

 In that opening resides a toil-worn family that has subsisted for weeks upon 

 potatoes seasoned only with salt. 



But why dwell I upon trials and privations ? These are common in every 

 community; vi ith you, fellow citizens, that day is past ; the fruits of your 

 labors are to be seen on every side, and want with measured stip, is rapidly 

 fleeing from your borders. The remembrance of former days will enable us 

 to contrast the present with the past, and furnish bright anticipations of a 

 prosperous future-" 



