18 MAINE STATE SOCIETY. 



hundred millions of dollais, as the value of the products of the 

 soil, alone, for a single year ; and this as nearly double the amount 

 realized bj all the interests together of manufactures^ of trade and 

 cominercc, of the fisheries and of the banks, money instiiutionSi 

 rents, and professiojis. At the present time, the disparity between 

 the one interest of agriculture, and the others mentioned, is not 

 less ; the proportion of wealth produced from the soil, over that 

 produced in all the other realms of industry together, is, without 

 doubt, much greater. Downing remarks, with reference to these 

 facts which I have cited, that "there are few, among the great 

 traders and 'merchant princes,' who do not sufficiently estimate the 

 dignity or importance of any class but their own. To them we 

 commend a study of Mr. Burke's statistical tables." He also re- 

 marks, that " there are some few farmers who think their occupation 

 one of narrow compass and resources ; an^ we beg them to look over 

 the aggregate annual products of their country and take shame to 

 themselves. " I can stand in the light of this excellent authority, 

 and reiterate what he has said. With him, I can claim the first 

 place, among the industrial interests of the country, for agriculture, 

 with its adjuncts, horticulture, stock-raising, &c., kc. And, fur- 

 thermore, I can add to what has been shown of the wealth and the 

 preeminence of the interest of agriculture, my exhibition of its 

 attractions, enjoyments, and pleasures, and thus complete the view 

 of agricultural life. 



I do not deny that there are hardships, cares and perplexities, in 

 this kind of life. In my best dream of the farmer's lot, I do not see 

 him as exempt from these burdens and annoyances. But I do see 

 ^that his condition is not singular in this regard. If I notice a dis- 

 tinction between him and those of other ocupations, I discover that 

 his chances for freedom from these crosses and troubles, are the best. 

 While he ought not to wish to be free from labor and care, and 

 ought to learn that the noblest characteristics of the mind, are 

 brought out and perfected in the days of toil and trial, he may be the 

 most independent, and the happiest man in the world. How uncer- 

 tain are the speculations of the man of adventure, the operations of 

 the merchant, the banker, the manuflicturer, the fisherman. How 

 often there is a crash of great financial concerns. How often a mer- 

 chant loses a ship, a banker his stock, a manufacturer his capital, a 



