FARM LIKE IN NEW ENGLAND. 37 



posed of silica, alumina, potash, soda, oxide of iron, magnesia, 

 lime, phosphoric and sulphoric acids. All of these substances 

 except alumina are found in plants. As our rocks decay from the 

 action of the changing seasons, it keeps up the suppl}- of these 

 necessary elements ; and the time will come when a class of farmers 

 will occupy these States who will look upon our granite hills as a 

 source of wealth rather than of hardships ; and the western man 

 will find that his soil although rich in carbon, is deficient in mineral 

 constituents, and nature's laborator}' not handy by to manufacture 

 them for him. The present agricultural condition will reverse in 

 time, commercial fertilizers will be more required in the west than 

 the east. Could we of to-da}' mortgage the future, and obtain some 

 of its fertility at the expense of future generations, I think that the 

 so called incumbrances upon out estates would immediately increase, 

 and be rechristened as blessings. This much for the stability of 

 the soil. Its climate corresponds well with it, and can also be 

 classed as rugged. All farmers should read Mark Twain's descrip- 

 tion of New England weather, which although a ludicrous exaggera- 

 tion is in the main true. It is a healthful climate, its air is pure 

 and bracing, and is not poisoned by unhealthful emanations from 

 stagnant marshes and sluggishl}' flowing lagoons. We are more 

 prone to criticise the evil of our environments than the good, and 

 the climate of these States has not es^caped the calumny that all 

 good names receive ; but analyze it in j-our own minds, compare it 

 and its effects with what are called ''more lavored climes," and I 

 think that you will prove for yourselves, that it has been underesti- 

 mated, aud made to carry on odium that does not belong to it. I 

 will not defend the anxiously looked for and tardy spring, the hot 

 and dry summer, or the bleakness of the winter, cold, lonesome and 

 dreary, and the (ffect these conditions bring ; neither will I extol 

 too highly the purit}' of its atmosphere, the beauty of its mornings, 

 the enraptuiing nature of its protracted twilights, and the surpass- 

 ing loveliness of its autumn days. You know of these extreme 

 conditions as well as I. I only ask that you will be fair in your 

 comparisons. 



Farm life the world over largely depends upon these two condi- 

 tions, soil and climate. The}' are the prime essentials that lead to 

 success or failure. Our brief examination must, however, embrace 

 the other conditions as well, to aid us to a decision as to which 

 word we will follow'our title with. 



