12 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



cxcliang-cs. "What is claimed, is, that each should be esteemed 

 and cherished in proportion to its true position in the scale of 

 importance, and, as without agriculture, all others must cease at 

 once, its pre-eminence is beyond dispute. 



There is another aspect of this subject which deserves more 

 than the passing allusion to it now given, which is the inSuence 

 of agriculture upon the hcaltli of the nation, physical, moral 

 and political. The occupation of the farmer is better, than all 

 others, calculated to develop a high degree of bodily strength 

 and vigor. Active exercise in the pure open air at all seasons, 

 and such an abundance of it as is indispensable in the pursuit 

 of agriculture, is of itself the best possible means of securing a 

 well developed frame, solid muscles, firm nerves, and all that 

 goes to make up health of body, as well as the surest guarantee 

 of its continuance to a ii'ood old age. Its rca-ular and natural 

 habits of early rising nnd retiring, and of living generally, 



together with the absence of liavvnwln5 i^ui-o a-.^^^ r«nn+innf>rl pv. 



citement, and feelings of dependence 07ily upon the Giver of all 

 G'ood, bring it into strong contrast with life in densely popu- 

 lated cities, as usually seen. It has been sometimes said by 

 those thus living, that they would die out entirely in a few gen- 

 erations were it not for the unceasing current of healthy blood 

 being infused into it from the country. However this may be, 

 no doubt can exist as to the general comparative degree of 

 health, in town and country. The anxiety of those in town to 

 escape often enough and long enough to recruit their jaded 

 energies, is sufficient testimony, if otlier was wanting. 



Of not less consequence than physical, is the moral and polit- 

 ical health, and here the contrast between town and country 

 is equally favorable to the latter. Agriculture is pre-eminently 

 the great conservative influence of the land. Patiently toiling 

 in their vocation, developing the resources of the country, the 

 tillers of tlie soil are eminently lovers of law and order, vir- 

 tuous and patriotic. Not only do they sustain existence and 

 produce wealth, but they arc the reliance of the nation in times 

 of danger, and to a great degree the conservators of public 

 morals. The restraints of law are less needed for them, than 

 for others. Nobody ever dreamed of looking among agricultu- 

 rists for the rise and progress of public corruption, or for com- 



