BARMS. 25 



the supply diminishes. Traders have fewer sales. All classes 

 curtail their expenses. 



The cultivation of the earth is the prominent business of our 

 people, and the leading pursuit of our nation. It employs more 

 men and more capital than all other trades and professions. 

 It produces a greater amount and variety of articles, desirable 

 and necessary, for our subsistence, our comfort and happiness. 

 It gives to the largest class of our population that kind of 

 employment which develops the physical and moral powers, 

 and allows of quite as much time for the cultivation of the 

 mind as any other occupation. It is cheering, therefore, to see 

 that so many of the leading men of our country are disposed to 

 encourage agriculture ; that our government is toiling to aid ; 

 that many of our educated men of all professions are endeavor- 

 ing to make it an exact science. We confidently hope the time 

 is not far distant when there will be facilities for a true agri- 

 cultural education, a knowledge of principles and practice, 

 obtained by actual observation and experiment. Then, of 

 agriculture we shall say, " It is a science, as well as an art." 

 It is pleasing to notice the improvement that has already been 

 made ; to observe the change that has taken place in the public 

 estimation of this business, and of the men engaged in it. 

 Farmers are now better known, more respected, and have more 

 influence in society than at any former period. The clergy- 

 man, or the physician, or the lawyer, is not now the only man 

 qualified to preside at town meetings, and make a record of the 

 transactions. The learned professions do not now furnish all 

 those who represent the people in the halls of legislation. 



While it is admitted, however, that there has been improve- 

 ment in the knowledge and practice of this most important art, 

 it must be acknowledged that the improvement in this pursuit 

 has not kept pace with progress in other trades and profes- 

 sions, and with the great increase of our population. Relative- 

 ly, there has been a falling off; and, absolutely, there has been 

 a diminution in the production of breadstufls in our State. 



Why should this great pursuit retrograde, even relatively? 



Why not progress as rapidly and continuously as commerce, 



manufactures and the mechanic arts ? No good and sufficient 



reason can be given. Many desire to become rich faster than 



4* 



