174 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



Recalling these facts, it seems impossible that agriculture should 

 ever be held in low estimation. Yet in spite of the accumulation 

 of the evidence, persons in all other departinents of labor, although 

 dependent therein upon agriculture, are wont to speak of it in 

 terms of indifference and derision. Worse still, and shame upon 

 it! farmers themselves sometimes seem to feel ashamed that they 

 are farmers. They may often be heard to express a great distaste 

 for their occupation and a determination to train their children to 

 other pursuits. And those whose early life was spent upon the 

 farm, but who have entered other paths, too soon forget that they 

 owe the sound body and clear mind, which make life a success, to 

 the old farm home, and are too ready to treat with disparagement, 

 if not contempt, the noble calling of father and mother, to which 

 they really owe their own strong foundation. 



Unfortunately, this seems to be particularly true, here in New 

 England. It is not so everywhere. In Great Britain, no matter 

 what may be his wealth, rank, or occupation, no man feels quite 

 content until he is the owner of agricultural land. The same is 

 true in a great measure in the southern part of this country; pro- 

 fessional men and merchants there very generally live upon their 

 own farms, and to be a good farmer is a sure pass to the best 

 society. Here in the East, on the contrary, you plainly see that 

 the corner groceryman, railway brakeman, mechanic, and briefless 

 lawyer, to say nothing of the ministers and the teachers, think 

 themselves quite superior to the farmers, both in their occupations 

 and in the social scale. And the great trouble is, that farmers 

 themselves, by silence and failure to assert themselves, allow this 

 opinion to prevail, and practically agree to it. 



It is true, there is nothing in the present surroundings to call 

 forth such remarks. Here and now agriculture is foremost, and 

 if all the sneerers at farming could he brought to the Connecticut 

 Farmers' Conventions annually, they might be converted. On 

 such occasions, as well as in their other special gatherings and 

 exhibitions, our farmers are true to themselves, and the just pride 

 in their calling and work shines forth." But such are bright spots 

 in the year, and you must admit that when scattered upon their 

 several farms, and mingling with people in other pursuits, the 

 position of New England farmers, as just described, is but too 

 true! We are considering the condition and duties of the farmer, 

 not on exceptional days, but as existing 365 days in the year. So 



