210 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



given with judiciousness and given with a fair prospect and 

 promise of profit in the future. 



There can be no question to the thoughtful mind that the 

 competition with the cheap lands in the west, now confront- 

 ing the agriculturists of New England, compels the farmers in 

 the eastern sections to devote their time €ind intelligence to 

 a line of occupation that requires peculiar knowledge and skill 

 to successfully follow ; and with this view, and to maintain 

 this policy, Connecticut has wisely given bounties to agricul- 

 tural societies, established an experiment station, I think the 

 first in the country, and supported by annual appropriations 

 a school for the education of farmers. All of these things, it 

 is pleasant to contemplate, work together for tlie same end — 

 to cultivate the intellect as well as the land of Connecticut. I 

 am sure it must be as pleasant an occupation to obtain a sub- 

 sistence and a comfortable living out of intelligent, skillful 

 labor, as it is to take it from the fields in larger States where 

 there is nothing required but to sow the seed with careless- 

 ness, and in the fall to reap the crop simply with labor. And 

 besides that, all this culture and education that are given to 

 the agricultural element of Connecticut and New England 

 show themselves not only in the farm labor, but in the farm- 

 house ; in the faces of the women, in the intelligence and cul- 

 ture of the young ladies ; of every pleasant way that goes to 

 make New England farm life comfortable and charming. 



I will not delay you another moment from the pleasure 

 which you are to receive from the lecture of the gentleman 

 whose name I have had the honor to mention. (Applause.) 



VAEIOUS VIEWS OF FARMING. 



BY A. W. CHEEVER. 



Every successful business man does, and every farmer should, 

 as often at least as once a year, look over his books, take an 

 account of stock, and make out some sort of a balance sheet, in 

 order that he may, as far as possible, be able to know the exact 

 condition of his financial affairs ; for a man who is struggling as 

 men must struggle who succeed in this world, ought to -know 

 which way he is moving, or if he indeed is moving at all. 



