42 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



amount of land, wliich, when properl}' prepared, is easily- 

 kept in condition many years, and affords fair, if not an 

 abundant return for the outlay. 



Hitherto, the farmer has sufiered greatly from competition, 

 the result of cheap transportation to the AVest, where lands 

 are more fertile and much cheaper. The influx of population 

 there has raised the price of land in desirable localities so 

 much that the cost of raising produce, already is partially 

 equalized with the East ; and this process will steadily go on 

 until the Eastern farmer will be able to compete with the West- 

 ern, especially in those articles requiring skill and experience 

 in cultivation. The Eastern farmer has many advantages not 

 possessed by the "Western. 



He has an excellent market at his own door, at all times, 

 and at the highest prices to be obtained anywhere. He lives 

 in an established community, with roads constructed, churches, 

 school-houses, and other public buildings standing ready for 

 his use, and adapted to his wants. He has around him the 

 results of the labors of five or six generations, each one doing 

 something for his comfort and happiness. He is surrounded 

 by^ public institutions devoted to the diflfusion of literature, 

 science and art, founded and endowed with thoughtful care 

 and wisdom, and daily increasing in usefulness from the ben- 

 efactions of noble men, who esteem it a pleasure, as well as 

 a duty, to contribute by their genius or their wealth to the 

 elevation of their fellow-man. He is with kindred and early 

 friends who are ever ready to cheer and assist him. He 

 knows not the longing for home and fatherland, which the 

 emigrant feels, nor the fear that poverty may overtake him in 

 a laud of strangers, destitute, necessarily, of many of the com- 

 forts which are freely ofiered him here. 



Let young men hesitate long before they leave these beauti- 

 ful homes and pleasant scenes to the possession of others, 

 who are compelled by the unfavorable circumstances surround- 

 ing them, to emigrate from the land they love, to this land 

 of promise, this home of the Pilgrims, made glorious by their 

 prayers, sacrifices and labors. 



