STABILITY OF AGRICULTURE. 11 



In spite of our unwillingness to accept books, schools and 

 colleges as aids, we have largely accepted them ; and in 

 reviewing the past, we can see how many wild lands have 

 heen reclaimed, how many swamps have been made pro- 

 ductive and healthy, and how many barren hillsides made to 

 blossom as the rose, through the means forced upon us by 

 men of deep scientific research. 



The time has already come when the keenest intellect, the 

 most varied learning, and the greatest mechanical skill are 

 recognized as absolutely necessary for the attainment of the 

 highest type of American forming. 



If the country recovers from the shock of this depression, 

 it will be indebted to its agriculture, North, South and AVest, 

 If it recovers speedily, it will be indebted to the strong latent 

 power of these same influences. 



Already the eastern horizon glimmers with the light of 

 improvement. The United Kingdom, from a coml)ination of 

 causes, will have cereals enough of its own production for 

 less than half a year's supply ; the balance of the supply 

 must come largely from the United States, for the great 

 cereal lands of the Baltic have produced no surplus product 

 for exportation. 



In the year 1874, one hundred and fifty-nine cargoes of 

 grain were exported to foreign shores ; this year, already, 

 we have forwarded nearly three hundred ; and this is less than 

 half of what will be demanded ; 3'et America is fully equal 

 to supply the wants of half-starved Europe. 



What answer, then, shall we make to the anxious merchant, 

 manufacturer or operative? Go to the Land. It is the 

 source of original supply ; it is the place of last resort. 



As the father welcomed the prodigal son, who, not content 

 "with home, wandered off to do better, and fared worse, so 

 the land welcomes all these sons and daughters who have 

 wandered off to the crowded city and the mill, back to its 

 kindly protection. 



How the manufacturers who have established mills and 

 furnished them, in excess of a natural demand, are to adjust 

 the balances so as again to employ all their machinery, is a 

 problem which time alone will work out. Some foreign 

 demand will, undoubtedly, spring up, and American genius 



