REPORTS OF COMMITTEES. 135 



1st. That farming, as an occupation, is not profitable. This 

 idea is carefully inculcated, why, he knew not, and is working 

 incalculable mischief in the country, by turning the industry of 

 thousands of both sexes into other channels, who, otherwise, 

 would have engaged in this primitive and healthful employ- 

 ment. 



2d. That the prevalent and pernicious opinion has prevailed 

 among all our people, that "any body would do for a farmer !" 

 That, if among a family of children there were evidences in some 

 of unusual aptitude and talent, those must be selected for other 

 professions, and aided by all the helps of our schools and col- 

 leges. While the dull and indifferent would make good-enough 

 farmers ! These were errors, he thought, resting like an incu- 

 bus upon the community, and paralyzing the efforts of the friends 

 of the cause. And 



3d. That, as a great class, we had not sought the aid and 

 countenance of the other sex, and made the occupation an 

 agreeable and attractive one to them. In the mechanical de- 

 partment, and especially in manufactures, the best minds are 

 exercised to please the eye, lighten the labor, and gratify the 

 taste of the females of our households. This will be evident to 

 all on entering the shops of the mechanic, or looking upon the 

 shelves of the merchant. But with the farmer it has not been so. 

 With women, the prevalent idea of the farm-house, is, that of 

 drudgery. They have been made to believe that the refinements 

 and elegancies of life are there out of place ; that books, recrea- 

 tion, healthful amusements, and interchanges of visits are for 

 those engaged in other avocations. How often is the farm 

 embellished with a beautiful garden, filled with fruits, shrubbery 

 and flowers, attracting all into its peaceful shades, or to inhale 

 its fragrant breath ! Or, the farm-house, supplied with those 

 nameless conveniences or comforts, or luxuries, in the way of 

 furniture or ornament, which may be found in the dwelling of 

 the merchant, the physician, the mechanic, and often, even, in 

 that of the day laborer 1 If they are necessary, they are as 

 much so to the wives and daughters of the farmer, as to any 

 other class. If they can be aflbrded by the mechanic, or the 

 shop-keeper, they certainly can by the farmer. 



Remarks were also made by Dr. Cleaveland, of Northampton. 



