NOTHING NEW. 99 



a thousand cows, with oxen and bulls and young cattle and 

 sheep and horses, in like proportion, did not live upon his farm ; 

 and in no one of the farm-houses did we see a woman. There 

 was no home about them. I have wandered many days and 

 many miles with other New Englanders over the plains of Flor- 

 ida, whose soil will produce all the grains and the semi-tropical 

 fruits with almost no labor, and we used to say that we would 

 not exchange a farm of sixteen acres in the most barren part 

 of Massachusetts for the whole State of Florida. 



Mr. President, it is an unmistakable proof of the dignity 

 of all pursuits and of labor in any way connected with agricult- 

 ure, that the interest in these farmers' festivals never ceases, 

 never decreases, but continually grows. We all feel that it is 

 the farmers who hold the world together. Without them the 

 manufactures would cease ; without the men who raise the 

 corn and oats, and all grains, and raise the cattle, commerce 

 would languish, and the ships which now cover the ocean would 

 rot at their wharves. Farming is the labor of most of us in 

 early days, and we delight to return to it in old age. There is 

 an indescribable pleasure in these farmers' gatherings ; there is 

 an excitement in the sight of fat cattle, and flocks of sheep, in 

 roaring Durham, Devon, Hereford, Ayrshire or Jersey bulls, 

 and the meek-eyed heifers of the various breeds, in the pranc- 

 ing of fiery-mouthed stallions and fleet-footed mares — rulers of 

 the turf — which moves us and sends our blood hilarious through 

 our veins ; — there is a never wearying delight from the exhibi- 

 tion of vegetables and fruits and flowers ; — and may we not be 

 assured by this day's success that the old Norfolk Agricultural 

 Society has yet a brilliant future and a permanent place in the 

 affections of the people of this county ! 



