CHANGES IN FARMING. 



337 



valuation of the farms of this State we find a much larger increase — 

 not less than thirty per cent. This is an advance more than twice 

 as great as the premium on gold, and therefore indicates an in- 

 crease not due to depreciation of currency. If we compare crops 

 we find differences which may be partly due to differences in 

 seasons and therefore less conclusive. There is some falling- oft' 

 in oats, corn and barley, with increase of hay, potatoes, peas and 

 beans, wheat and buckwheat, and a large increase of market garden 

 products. If we look at domestic animals we find fewer working 

 oxen and more horses, — and it is worthy of note here that the 

 substitution of horse for ox labor has everywhere been taken to 

 indicate advance in practical agriculture. We find about six per 

 cent, fewer milch cows, in numbers, but if we could get at the 

 facts, we should doubtless find an increase in the milk yielded by 

 them. We find somewhat fewer sheep but more wool — more in 

 the aggregate and more per head ; and if we could know the whole 

 truth we should undoubtedly find a much larger increase in their 

 money yiejd from mutton and lambs for the table. This is strongly 

 indicated by the fact that, notwithstanding western competition, 

 these same ten years witness an increase in the value of slaugh- 

 tered animals of no less than 86 per cent. I therefore aver, upon 

 the best evidence which is attainable, that the diminished numbers 

 engaged in agricultural pursuits among us during these years, is 

 not followed by diminished production nor by diminished value cf 

 farm property. 



Rightly interpreted, then, what does this abandonment of the 

 farm by young men mean? How -came it to be? — and what are 

 its lessons ? Are they led away by visionary hopes, destined 

 never to be realized but leading only to disappointment? or is it 

 for reasonable cause ? Surely they are entitled to perfect freedom 

 in the pursuit of happiness, competence and wealth. If it is really 

 better for some of them to leave the farm, we should bid them God 

 speed ; — if it is better for them to stay, we should do all in our 

 power to enlighten their views, and to disabuse their minds of 

 illusory hopes. 



To arrive at an intelligent understanding of this matter we need 

 to inquire into its causes, to trace its rise and progress, to notice 

 whither these young men go and what they do. It is necessary 

 also that we clearly comprehend what is, and what is not requi- 

 site to successful agriculture, and this opens up an immense field 



for investigation. Neither its culture nor its harvest is the work 

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