EELATIVE VALUE OF FARMING. 287 



who resort to the cities and large towns have a deligiit and 

 pleasure in spending a few weeks in the heat of summer at the 

 old homestead nowhere else to be found. 



How many there are in the professional and mercantile life 

 who are looking forward to the time when they shall have 

 accumulated sufficient to retire to rural pursuits and a home 

 in the country, where they can make their " last days their 

 best days," and enjoy the fruit their own hands have planted ! 

 But whoever heard of a farmer who was looking forward to 

 the time when he should retire to professional or mercantile 

 life? 



It is a mistaken idea that the farm can forever be deserted or 

 neglected. And whoever can do anything to encourage agri- 

 cultural prosperity or promote its interests, is also promoting 

 the interests of all branches of industry and is a benefactor to 

 the world. Let us, as farmers, if we cannot boast of our 

 Astors or Girards, feel that we are comparatively independ- 

 ent ; that we are not troubled with many of the perplexities 

 of the business-man, and that all are to a great extent depend- 

 ent on us for their dailj^ bread. 



N. S. HUBBAED. 



A. P. Slade. 



J. N. Sturtevant. 



The essay led to some discussion, after which it was laid 

 over under the rule. 



President Clark, from the Committee to consider and re- 

 port what action should be taken in regard to securing greater 

 protection against frauds in commercial fertilizers, submitted 

 a form of memorial to the legislature. 



-'o 



Voted, That a committee of three, of which Prof. Goess- 

 mann shall be one, be appointed to appear before the com- 

 mittee of the legislature. Messrs. Clark, Goessmanu and the 

 Secretary. 



Col. Stone reported on behalf of the committee on the time 

 and place of holding the country meeting of the Board, that it 

 be held at Westfield on the 2d, 3d and 4th of December. 



This led to a discussion of some length, when it was 



