228 ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY SOCIETY. 



If of their kind, they are superior in Avorkmanship or utility, that 

 superiority will commend itself, and secure a demand for the work 

 of your hands. I would repeat what I said in an address last year : 

 "Mechanics, don't be ashamed of your trade; but make something, 

 and here exhibit its good qualities. If you can't make a railroad 

 car, make a wheelbarrow, or a drag, or a harrow. If you can't 

 make a mowing machine, a reaper, or a corn-sheller, make a scythe- 

 snath, or ox-yoke, or hoe-handle. Make a sofa, chair, table, churn, 

 or wash-stand, or even a jumper for the baby; or if you can't do 

 any of these things, bring the baby without the jumper." 



And this idea I would urge upon the farmer. Raise something — 

 • a colt, calf, or pig — a braid of corn, a sheaf of wheat, a bundle of 

 flax, a measure of potatoes, a squash or pumpkin — anything valua- 

 ble as a product, — bring it here and let it speak for itself, an^ en- 

 courage others to go and do likewise. And not only do this, but 

 help the wife to bring something from the kitchen — a pot of pickles 

 or a leg of ham, a jar of preserves or a bottle of ketchup, a box of 

 butter, a string of dried apples, a loaf of old fashioned rye and Indian 

 bread, or a pot of baked beans. All these things are helps to the 

 interest of these occasions ; — they go to make up the great total. 

 And not only this, but a general interest is excited, and a healthy 

 ambition leads on to new efforts and successes. 



But let it not be supposed that the farmer and mechanic are tbe 

 only ones to be profited by, or who should take part in these fairs. 

 The operative, the merchant, the man of wealth, the clergyman, 

 doctor, lawyer — evei'y honest and industrious man, and well-wisher 

 of society, has an interest here : — if this society declines through 

 want of encouragement, all of us are losers — if prosperity attend it, 

 all are thereby benefited. In this society, ladies and gentlemen, are 

 ■ involved the first and paramount interests of the county, and for 

 this reason — in agriculture we have the basis of our prosperity. It 

 is here that we quicken the pulse of industry, give new form to old 

 ideas, develop the mechanical genius of our young men, and en- 

 courage thought, investigation, experiment — success. 



And here I would say a fjw words to our young men, whether 

 belonging to the farm or to the shop. Your success in life depends 

 almost entirely with yourselves. Your career will be essentially 

 what you determine it shall be. If you have no desire to rise above 



