286 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



veal and poultry. "We see that this department is making 

 rapid strides. 



Our woollen manufactories, in 1865, amounted to the nice 

 little sum of $48,430,671, and that of boots and shoes to $52,- 

 915,243. Clothing $17,743,894. And thus it is through all 

 the different branches of industry in smaller sums. Should 

 we not expect that with this drawing away from agriculture, 

 there would be a better market and better prices? But a 

 direct communication with broader fields and a richer soil 

 supplies this demand. Said Andrew Jackson, "Withdraw 

 from agriculture, and employ in manufactures, and you give 

 the farmers a larger and better market." This he said Ijefore 

 the East and West were brought into such close proximity. 

 The population of Massachusetts is steadily increasing, and I 

 have spoken of the rapid progress in various branches of in- 

 dustry, and of the decline in agricultural products ; also of 

 the decrease of that portion of her population. Still there are 

 many redeeming features. 



In proportion to the whole population distinguished success 

 falls to the lot of but few. And in many cases where great 

 success is attained, it is at the expense of those purer and 

 nobler qualities which ought to possess the man. Massachu- 

 setts a2:riculture will never allow of immense o-ains. There 

 are no Vanderbilts or Stewarts. But still it has its advant- 

 ages and attractions which are worthy of notice. 



I have spoken more particularly of the difierent branches 

 of industry in a pecuniary point of view, Avhile there is a 

 moral point that needs consideration. The young man upon 

 the farm, isolated as it were, is not so constantly coming in 

 contact with the haunts of vice and with places where tempta- 

 tion lurks at every corner, but is in constant contact with the 

 works of nature, which tend to lead his thoughts through 

 them up to nature's God. The farmer is constantly in con- 

 tact with his flocks and herds, and is admiring his growing 

 crops and trees which his own hands have planted. He also 

 partakes of his crops fresh from his own garden, orchard or 

 field, feeling that he has a right to be partaker first of the 

 fruits of his own labor. And as he is constantly improving 

 his surroundings, as the thrifty farmer will do, he is endear- 

 ing the old home to himself and family, so that those members 



