86 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



render. As a gatherer and distributor, its work has been enor- 

 mous in extent, and generally beneficent in character. But, in the 

 determination of value its work is very imperfect. Markets can 

 only measure the value of what goes to market, and that is only 

 each producer's surplus. That portion which he can use for him- 

 self he need ask no market to fix the worth of. In the case of 

 some classes of producers this is but trifling in amount; but the 

 farmer — the New England farmer especially — is generally so cir- 

 cumstanced that be can use largely of his own productions. Need 

 he go to market to learn the worth of luscious fruits, and fresh, 

 crisp vegetables from his own orchard and garden, or flesh-food, 

 and milk products from his own flocks and herds? I tell you nay. 

 These things have for him a value in no way related to that which 

 might be placed upon them in the market. Indeed, to some of 

 them, the touch of commerce is a defiling touch. Their highest 

 value is for him, and him alone, who produces them. 



I have on other occasions emphasized this feature of the farmer's 

 life, and it is worthy of emphasis. Some of her choicest bounties, 

 some of her richest treasures, nature reserves for him, and him 

 alone, who will come near to her and take them, with no interven- 

 tion, from her hand. Of the value which the market fixes for the 

 things which go there to be tested and appraised, it may be said 

 further that it bears but a loose and vague relation to real value. 

 This is what is done in the market. Two men meet, each of whom 

 has of some one thing a surplus above what he can use, and for 

 which he desires to procure in exchange as much as possible of 

 something he can use. Their agreement of exchange, the ever- 

 fluctuating balance of their desires and necessities, is what fixes 

 market value. It is well enough in its place, but it is not that test 

 and measure of value for which we are seeking. The true founda- 

 tion of worth is use or service. "Whatever we can use, whatever 

 serves us, is worth something to us. Of these two words I like 

 " service " the best. It is the broader term, and takes in elements 

 of worth which could hardly be included in the word "use." Use 

 implies co-operation on our own part, but service may be rendered, 

 not only without our co-operation, but without our consciousness, 

 even. Indeed, service, and that of exceeding value, may be ren- 

 dered us in opposition to our desires and efforts. We do not 

 always know when, or by whom, or by what we are served, and 



