CHARLOTTE INSTITUTE. 275 



We greet you because of the purpose for which you are assembled. What- 

 ever tends to elevate or improve agriculture raises and dignifies the race. 

 Kome was in her palmiest and purest days when the highest commendation 

 that could be bestowed upon a citizen was that he was a good husbandman ; 

 and when the tilling of the soil was turned over to the tenant and the bonds- 

 men we mark the period of her decay. 



Throughout the dark ages those who tilled the soil were in a most deplor- 

 able condition. Agriculture was a menial and degraded employment. Its 

 progress toward a better state was slow, and never received any real impulse 

 until within the last century. In 1783, through the influence of Sir John 

 Sinclair, a Scotch agriculturist and member of parliament, the British Board 

 of x\griculture was organized. It brought men together from every part of 

 the kingdom. There was a general interchange of opinions, and questions 

 of importance were thoroughly discussed. Through the encouragement of 

 this board the elements of the soil were investigated .and the science of 

 chemistry was applied to the improvement of agriculture. This was a 

 beginning of real progress in the art. Since that time the need of applying 

 intellect to agriculture is generally acknowledged. 



The rapid strides by which it is being carried to perfection in this land of 

 ours is manifested on every hand. Your own county is not past the time, 

 since its organization, that marks the middle age of a human life. Yet 

 what wonderful progress has been effected. The dense forests that half a 

 century ago covered its soil, and were the haunts of wild beasts, have given 

 place to well cultivated fields which yield rich harvests of grain or pasture. 

 Finely bred flocks and herds, and substantial homes make beautiful the land- 

 scape in every direction, while two fine little cities and six flourishing villages 

 have risen with you, and supply markets and facilities for communication 

 with the outside world. ***** 



The true dignity of the farmers of our land is not derived from the fact 

 that they till the soil, a serf may do that, but rather from the fact that he is 

 the owner and proprietor of the soil he tills. 



It follows that when a boy is properly advised to remain a farmer and to 

 build a home as such, it must be with the understanding that he is expected 

 to become the owner of a farm. But how our farmer boys are to provide 

 themselves with farms of their own, will soon be one of the most serious ques- 

 tions that the people of this country will have to consider. 



Formerly, when the home farm became crowded by the number of grownup 

 sons, it was no very difficult matter to provide for each from the cheap lands 

 near at hand. But now we see young men going half across the continent to 

 find lands which they can pay for, and these are not the most desirable, but 

 only such as the speculators have thought not worth attention. 



Should they undertake to procure a home by purchasing high priced or 

 improved lands upon credit they would most likely fail, or if successful it 

 could only be after a long struggle and with good crops and prices. 



We listen with attention to those who recount the toils and hardships of 

 pioneer life, but the prospect of chopping and clearing off forests to secure an 

 independent home is far less gloomy to contemplate than digging the soil to 

 clear off heavy mortgages. 



The consequences may be readily imagined. 



If our young men cannot secure lands for themselves they must leave the 

 farm or become merely tenants or farm laborers. 



