THE FARM AND THE HOME. 31 



prevailed, tilled I)}- those who owned the land. We think it nuiy be 

 justh' claimed, that no other system of hind ownership could pos- 

 sibly have so fully developed our agricultural capal)ilitios, and so 

 largely have aided in building up and supporting those varied indus- 

 tries that depend so much upon successful agriculture for prosperity. 

 A large rural population enriches the State in the general intelli- 

 gence, virtue and patriotism of its citizens. It provides for and 

 maintains good educational advantages. It increases the numbers 

 of those who are freeholders. It brings families near to each other, 

 thus aftbrding the pleasures of social intercourse. It helps to make 

 home life cheerful, doing awaj' with the isolation and monotony — 

 the bane of rural life. It increases the general wealth, through in- 

 creased production, by aiding other industries. Yet, with all the 

 excellencies of our farm system and farm practices, there are many 

 fiirms in the older sections of the State that have been abandoned ; 

 and there are now man}- engaged in farming who are not meeting 

 with that success that is desirable. And why? Do they realize 

 that success in life is a duty each person owes to himself, to his 

 family, to those with whom he associates in life? Do they exert 

 themselves, and honestl}', to achieve success? Aside from serious 

 accidents and misfortunes, there ought to be no failures in farming. 

 But what is a man to do who is poor, and has poor land? If he 

 has good health, is industrious, economical, and has a fair share of 

 good common sense, he need have no doubt as to being able to 

 renovate his farm, and improve his own fortune. Success in farm- 

 ing demands faith in the work and in the soil. It demands intelli- 

 gent labor ; the thinking mind must guide the skilled hand. 

 Ignorance and sloth can never succeed, neither ought they. 



The mistaken notion of the past, that strong muscles and ability 

 to labor was the onh* requisite needed for success, if ever true is 

 not so now. Agriculture is a profession, and to be a successful 

 farmer demands a mind as well disciplined, and an education as 

 thorough, and even more varied, than is called for in other profes- 

 sions and occupations. 



Farmers need to be raised from the apathy into which they have 

 fallen. The}' must awaken to the truth, that the world moves ; tliat 

 advance is being made all along the line ; that the application of 

 thought, science, and invention, is being given to the world's 

 industries. In this grand onward movement, agriculture is not 

 being neglected. Science is aiding the farmer, through study and 



