FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 239 



in a clear and intelligent manner. He should also be a good geologist and a 

 good chemist. The former Avill enable him when lie examines his soil to know 

 of what it is composed, and what crops it is best adapted to raise. The latter 

 science Avill enable him to select his manures with judgment, and apply them 

 with skill ; to know^ at what time his compost and manures are in the best 

 condition to supply the wants of his plants, and it also gives him a knowl- 

 edge of what crops he can raise to the greatest advantage, and consequently 

 how to obtain the largest reward for his labor. It would also be a valuable 

 acquisition if he were a good botanist, as this would add much to tlio pleasure 

 of his pursuits. With a thorough knowledge of these studies the farmer, to a 

 great extent, becomes a man of science, and as such, far more likely to succeed 

 in many other of the walks of life. 



We believe with our farmers thus prepared for usefulness we would soon see 

 a great difference in their manner of farming, and a corresponding difference 

 in their profits. We believe there would be a gradual and constant increase of 

 their profits as compared with their expenses and investments, and their labors 

 would be far more satisfactory to themselves. There would be more system and 

 method in their business ; their purposes, objects and aims would be higher, and 

 inevitably result in higher attainments and greater success, for he whose object 

 and standard of excellence is high (like the archer who aimed at the sun) may 

 not quite reach the objective point, but he will be likely to attain to a far greater 

 degree of success than he who aims at an object below or on a level w-ith him- 

 self. 



His objects and purposes should bo well defined in his own mind, and it is of 

 great importance that his ideal of imitation should be faultless, for in propor- 

 tion as it is defective, just in that proportion will his labors fail of success. 



AVith men of this character in the field, the system of farming known as the 

 skimming system, or perhaps more properly the sinking system, would soon 

 disappear, — a system that sooner or later reduces land to a degree of sterility 

 that it will no longer pay for cultivating, I have in my mind a farm that fif- 

 teen years ago was one of the most productive and best managed farms in Wash- 

 tenaw county, and by the practice of that pernicious system has reduced its 

 joresent owner to a degree of poverty that is hardly to be believed. This man 

 advised his neighbor not to plow under a large growth of clover, as it would be 

 likely to sour his land. 



Adjoining the above mentioned farm is another of about equal quality of 

 land that fifteen years ago hardly paid for cultivation, but by its passing into 

 the hands of an intelligent and industrious proprietor it has been raised to a 

 high state of cultivation, and pays as liberally for the labor bestowed as any 

 farm with which I am acquainted. This is a practical illustration of the truth 

 that intelligence and industry will grow rich where ignorance and idleness will 

 starve. 



When we as farmers shall have a more just appreciation of the importance of 

 our calling, — the amount of work that is exi^ected at our hands ; that we have 

 the earth to subdue and the human family to support,, we shall then see the 

 necessity and importance of calling every auxiliary to our assistance, whether it 

 be science, labor, practical experience, the mechanic arts, or all combined. It 

 is sometimes said that farming is overdone, but what Daniel Webster said of his 

 profession is also true of ours: "There is always room up stairs." First class 

 farmers can always find employment that will give a profitable return. 



