AGRICULTURE IN MAINE. 323 



of cultivation and more costly fertilization, thus repeating the 

 experience of the farmers of New York and Ohio, who formerly 

 looked upon their soils as inexhaustible, but have since learned 

 their mistake. 



A careful consideration of the facts presented must satisfy us 

 that we have been in error in under-estimating our advantages in 

 comparison with other States. We may labor under some disad- 

 vantages, but these in some form are common to all. The great 

 law of compensation applies to this as well as in other directions. 

 These statistics deserve the most careful attention from agricul- 

 turists in our State. Especially should they be studied by those 

 who contemplate leaving Maine for other localities supposed to be 

 more favorable. • 



To one point in this connection I would call your special atten- 

 tion. I suppose the most inveterate grumbler would hardly think 

 of objecting to our soil and climate as not being adapted to the 

 cultivation of grass, the importance of which may be seen from 

 the fact that for a series of years the hay crop alone has been 

 about two-thirds the value of the entire crops of the State, exclu- 

 sive of the important interest of grazing, on which the products 

 of the dairy and the growth and improvement of stock is very 

 largely based. And yet the statistics presented show that Maine 

 is not only short of the average for New England, but all the 

 largest hay growing States. There is, it seems to me, no neces- 

 sity for this. With skill and energy equal to that which the mer- 

 cantile and manufacturing classes bring to bear upon their busi- 

 ness, this crop maybe doubled, and when this is accomplished, 

 you have placed Maine in the very front rank of agricultural 

 States. 



A third reason may be very briefly stated. Agriculturists as a 

 class do not sufficiently respect themselves and their calling, and 

 do not make that preparation for its duties which their importance 

 demands. The natural result is, the failure to sustain so high a 

 position in the social, financial and political world as members of 

 the mercantile and learned professions, for neither individuals, nor 

 classes of men, can command the respect of others if they fail to 

 respect themselves. 



In the third and last division, I shall speak of the position that 

 agriculture should assume as one of life's callings, and how that 

 position is to be secured. As already shown, the investment in 

 farms and farming implements, is one half the total valuation of 



