Y08 



BOARD OF AGEICULTURE. 



"You don't have any chances like these down there in the country where 

 you live, do you?" This young man in time completed with honor both 

 his scientific and professional course, and yet to-day, although strictly 

 moral an<3 self-respecting, he is, with all his training, a business failure. 



Why is this? Because his associations have fostered that proud 

 dignity of spirit, until he will not, in fact, does not tnow how to mingle 

 with and be a part of everyday business life. Ah! what a different 

 showing there would be if that young man had only been fortunate 

 enough to acquire the understanding which that place he seemed to think 

 offered such poor advantages could have so thoroughly taught him. 



Individuals of this kind are to be met with on every hand. Men who 

 have had what is seemingly a golden opportunity in life, yet amount to 

 very little. But it is as easy to recall fully as many examples as are 

 directly the opposite to this, of now worthy men, much of whose youth 

 was spent in labor, with no educational advantages, unless, perhaps, they 

 might get to attend part of the country school in winter. 



But in those seeming disadvantages were found the conditions to 

 which might properly be attributed the basis of his later attainments; 

 for he was, by their influence made ready; fitted to make good use of the 

 opportunities found in the city when in time he should be in a position 

 to take advantage of them. 



The one thing to which may be attributed the failure of so many 

 otherwise capable men, is that they do not have a broad conception of 

 the basic principles and forces which govern practical life; hence have 

 no solid foundations upon which to base their work. Here let me say 

 again I believe there is no better place on earth for a boy to build this 

 foundation for future success and for the development of himself, men- 

 tally, morally and physically, than on the farm. 



If the boy does not wish to become a farmer, let him only learn 

 habits of industry, "to do whatsoever his hand findeth to do" well, and 

 inform his mind; all other things will come later, when he has chosen 

 his profession, where he can easily outdistance his city cousin in the life 

 race. 



Rural scenes possess a charm for everyone; not alone for the farmer. 

 They have been the inspiration of artist and poet. From the fields of 

 wheat Miflet drew the inspiration to paint the "Song of the Lark" and 

 "The Gleaners." Rosa Bonheur loved to paint the farmyard animals. 

 Landseer, the famous landscape painter, received his greatest inspiration 

 while roaming over the heather-fields of Scotland. 



And how much would Bryant, Wordsworth, and Goldsmith lose should 

 we erase all they have written on nature. 



Best of all mral scenes are the farmyard homes, where, contented 

 rpund the log heap fire, the farmer and his children sit. 



"Here, 'mid circling fields of wheat and corn, 

 ^ nation's strength is born." 



