1883.] THE FARMER AND HIS FAMILY. 179 



crowded. Or if not a born student, but yet of superior address 

 and enterprise, the boy goes to a commercial college and to the 

 city to be trained as a merchant. Another, that evinces unusual 

 genius in the construction of things, is fitted to be an artisan. 

 And so it is that the boys kept at home for a supposed lack of 

 talents are doomed to work upon the farm, with comparatively few 

 educational advantages. 



Such a policy operates to deprive the farming community of its 

 best talents, and in doing this to prevent elevation of character 

 and success in the development of rural resources. The favored 

 boys learn to despise the occupation of their fathers and feel it is 

 an employment unworthy of them. Those destined to it feel 

 correspondingly degraded, and are apt to conclude that nothing 

 but brute force is needed in the performance of their duties. 



How can agriculture be expected to win its rightful place, while 

 such practices prevail to any extent ? and this picture is not over- 

 drawn. 



Let me use a homely but a just comparison. How long could 

 live stock be kept at a profit, if the very best were continually 

 sold and only the ordinary animals kept for foundation stock? In 

 short, how long coiild our New England cattle shows be main- 

 tained if we bred om- cattle as We breed farmers ? 



Farming is the well-spring of our national prosperity, but to 

 keep up the race of thrifty and progressive farmers this process 

 must be completely reversed ! The best stock in the farmers' family 

 must be kept upon the farm and given every advantage to pro- 

 gress. 



Where is there an occupation which so constantly deals with 

 the subtle mysteries of nature and so much needs all the light of 

 modern science in its aid, as that of the farmer ? 



Where is the business which needs a closer watch of the markets 

 and greater tact in buying and selling ? 



Where is the trade or manufacture that requires more skill and 

 a keener appreciation of labor-saving appliances ? 



Farming in the older states is not the thing it used to be. Times 

 have changed. On every side a higher standard of education and 

 technical training is now required. American farmers of the 

 present day, although feeling the lack of early advantages, are a 

 reading and thinking class. They are the last men to "call" a 

 minister not a scholar and theologian, and they insist upon family 



