122 LINCOLN SOCIETY. 



markets and its future prospects. Let tlicm carefully notice the 

 seasons, the influence of climate and probable liealthincss of the 

 various sections. Let them feel as they arc growing to man- 

 hood that it is not necessary for them to marry their cousin, 

 and locate themselves for life within sight of tlie smoke issuing 

 from the parental roof. Let young men understand that farm- 

 ers cannot always do as their father's fathers have done; that 

 they cannot always divide their farms among their sons. Teach 

 them in their youth, encourage them by your example, in habits 

 of prudence, industry, temperance, observation, moral honesty 

 and self reliance ; and when they arrive at manhood send them 

 out to explore and examine Uncle Sam's landed possessions, 

 and rest assured that the better parts of this extensive farm 

 will be first brought into a state of successful cultivation, for 

 the same principles will apply to this extensive domain as to a 

 common farm. Can you reasonably expect that a beginner 

 upon a new farm will knowingly operate on the least product- 

 ive part of his land first? Such a course would be injudicious; 

 but the poor or waste land of a farm may be profitably improved 

 after the better portion is placed in a situation not only to 

 repay the labor that has been expended upon it, but to yield a 

 profit to defray the expense of fencing and reclaiming the 

 poorer lands, ditching meadows, sub-draining cold flat grounds, 

 removing stones, and rendering productive that which would 

 have otherwise been comparatively worthless. 



Let the resources of each State be fully developed. Let a 

 thorough geological survey be made, showing the different qual- 

 ities of the soil and the extent and value of the different min- 

 eral deposits. In connection with this, collect statistics of 

 mechanical pursuits, the demand and price of produce. Let the 

 farmer keep a correct account with his farm, charging it with 

 its cost, interest on the investments, taxes, labor and materials, 

 and crediting it with its produce and improvements, and publish 

 them in full agricultural reports. Let such reports be ficely 

 exchanged between different States, carefully examined and 

 compared, and be assured that the State of Maine will not suf- 

 fer by comparison with any other State, and that ere long every 

 acre of land within its extensive limits will be in possession of 

 operative farmers. 



