USE OF MIND IN FARMING. 41 



to produce and make glad a world-wide humanity. Let every 

 such man gird up his soul and study the entire outward world. 

 From early boyhood to mature manhood, and ever, he has a 

 free ticket to the library of creation. In that there is no top 

 shelf, no last volume. There let him read, investigate and 

 judge of all influences, relations and effects. Let him analyze 

 and classify what he learns, as data upon which to base conclu- 

 sions, which shall be as abiding laws to himself, those around, 

 and to all who shall come after him. Thus will he help on the 

 higher perfection of his heaven-appointed and God-exalting 

 avocation. He himself may die, and the green grass and wild 

 flowers may wave in silence and beauty over his grave, but the 

 fields he has cleared, the fountains he has opened, the trees he 

 has planted, the homestead he has beautified, will live. More 

 eloquent than pyramid of granite, or sculptured marble, they 

 will speak his praise. 



In all this, gentlemen, reference has been made merely to the 

 outward or astronomical influences which affect the farmer's 

 toil. This field of inquiry is vastly important. The most able 

 agriculturist may Were tax his powers ; from one stand point 

 he may pass to another, and from that to yet another, only to 

 find valuable knowledge spreading before him. As he advances 

 he will perceive more and more to be attained, each attainment 

 rendering what has been attained more and more valuable, and 

 what is yet to be acquired, more sublimely interesting and 

 effective. 



The use of mind in farming does by no means stop here. The 

 accomplished tiller of the earth has, if possible, a more intricate 

 and endless field for inquiry, in the internal and surface ele- 

 ments — chemical, mineral and botanical — which influence his 

 labors. In their wonderful complexity and mysteriousness of 

 influence, as affecting, propitiously or otherwise, the growth of 

 vegetables, grain, fruit, shrubs, trees, flowers and animals, he 

 is to study and know these invisible yet palpable agencies. 

 Tell, who can, the geological, mineralogical, ornithological, 

 conchological, topographical, chemical, botanical, and electrical 

 influences which combine to help or destroy the successful cul- 

 tivation of a single crop. These influences are around and with 

 the farmer every time he plants, hoes, ploughs or reaps ; every 

 time he selects his seed, his fruit, his fowls and his stock. Of 



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