324 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



not to bo expected that new ideas will make as rapid progress among them as 

 among those belonging to occupations of more recent origin, and which are 

 themselves innovations. Where reason originates an occupation it is more apt 

 to be conducted rationally than when the occupation, like farming, is more the 

 result of animal instinct. For these reasons a farmer's life does not at present 

 occupy that proud eminence among the callings of men which it is destined to 

 occupy in the future, and which its nature admits of. 



It is a fact which must be admitted, that the amount of brain work 

 expended in farming is altogether too meager when compared with the amount 

 of physical labor expended. Farming has been and is too much a matter of 

 routine. Farmers pursue a certain course, not so much because reason dictates 

 it, as because it has been customary. When the mass of farmers shall be 

 controlled in all their affairs by reason, a farmer's life will be historically what 

 it is philosophically, the noblest calling to which a man can aspire. 



Let us briefly consider what a farmer's life is, philosophically: The first 

 thing in importance is to live, and the farmer produces and can control the 

 means of living. It is possible for the farmer to live independent of other 

 callings, but no other occupation can live independent of the farmer. Those 

 who till the soil are the kings among men. It is within their power to realize 

 just such profits from their toil as they see fit, and to bring all others to sub- 

 jection. They belong to the majority class, and possess the power of numbers 

 as well as the advantage of occupation. If evils exist in government or 

 in society it is possible for farmers to do away with them. In fact it is possi- 

 ble for them to have just such a government or society as they desire. 



All our aspiration conies from nature, and what class are more favorably 

 situated for observing and studying natural phenomena than the tillers of the 

 soil and the domesticators of animals? Our greatest poets, artists, scientists, 

 and philosophers go to the country for their facts, and to enjoy their medita- 

 tions. What an advantage is possessed by those whose occupation brings 

 them constantly into communion with nature. Of all classes of men, why 

 should not farmers be most intelligent, most thoughtful, and most familiar 

 with their mother earth? 



Home and friends, two of the sweetest words in the English language, have 

 an especial charm when used in connection with rural life. The farmer's 

 home is capable of being the abode of the most exquisite domestic joys, such 

 as city life can rarely afford. The farmer's friendships are most familiar 

 and confidential, and are rarely broken except by death. If good digestion 

 and good health, independence and conscious power, a thoughtful mind and 

 an insight into nature, home, and friends, reciprocal love and affection are 

 the sources of enjoyment, the farmer ought to be the happiest man on earth, 

 and the farmer's life of all others the most to be desired. 



The impetus given to thought and free inquiry by the scientific discoveries 

 of the present century as well as by the invention of labor saving machines 

 and the improved facilities for communication and transportation like leaven 

 is working in all classes of society. The farmer is no longer satisfied with 

 doing as his fathers have done before him. He is seeking new methods. He- 

 is prosecuting his business more systematically. He is exercising his reason- 

 ing powers. He is computing the profits and losses. He is seeking the 

 cooperation of his brother farmers, with a view of realizing what is in his 

 opinion an adequate price for his productions. In short, he is doing just 

 what they do in all other kinds of business, to wit: Looking out for his own 

 interests. There is nothing which shows the advantage which the farmer pos- 



