A FIRST-PRIZE FARM. 311 



refinement or white-kiddedness of the most delicate of the male 

 sex. 



Warriors like Xenophon, philosophers like Cicero, statesmen 

 like Burke, Washington and Jefferson, and poets like Horace, 

 have combined the pursuits of agriculture with more engrossing 

 cares, and if all could but describe themselves, as did the latter, 

 Satis beatus unicis Sabinis, — 



Completely blest 

 With a happy little Sabine nest, — 



they reaped from the employment a wholesome recreation, and 

 endorsed the worth of a business on which, more than any 

 other, the fortunes of a country, moral, political or national, es- 

 sentially depend. 



Mrs. Adams, the wife of John Adams, whilst he was absent 

 from his country as a joint commissioner to France, remained 

 at home, and managed, as she had done during his necessary 

 absences at the seat of government, the affairs of the household 

 and the farm. 



Rev. Henry Coleman, in his narrative of his agricultural 

 tour in England, gives a fascinating account of a visit to a 

 large estate, where the lady of the manor was the presiding 

 genius, and herself conducted him through the cattle yards and 

 pens, and showed an entire familiarity with the breeds and 

 characteristics of the occupants ; and Lady Pigot is known at 

 the present time as one o£ the best breeders of Shorthorn cattle 

 in England, rivaling in the prices she gives and obtains for her 

 cattle the munificence of her British and American male com- 

 petitors. 



The best farm in England is reported as kept by a woman, 

 and as having taken the first prize recently offered by the Royal 

 Agricultural Society. It is a farm of 400 acres, devoted to past- 

 ure, grain and stock. Only four horses are kept, yet such was 

 the admirable system of management, they were sufficient for the 

 cultivation necessary for 70 acres of wheat, the same of barley 

 and turnips, besides some oats and beans. The produce sold 

 was, 30 three year-old steers, and 200 fat sheep, all raised on 

 the farm ; 2,450 bushels of wheat, and 3,290 bushels of barley, 

 which realized $15,895, besides other produce, as pork, wool, 

 tter, cheese, etc. Early in July the turnips nearly covered 



