488 State Board of Agriculture, &c. 



retire from active life, they have their early studies or 

 accumulated information to reflect upon and talk about. 

 They entertain themselves and their friends very happily 

 thereby. Thus they alleviate the approaching burdens of 

 old age. Farmers do after a similar manner sometimes. 

 Why not of tener ? When the bodily powers are weakened 

 and the mind left almost unimpaired, why should they be 

 obliged to confine their thoughts or their conversation to 

 the amount of work done in their lifetime and the sports 

 or practices of their youth ? If the mind is stored, and 

 the heart, too, spiritually, in youth and maturity, comfort 

 and capability to be of use will endure to the end. 



I make not these remarks to criticise Vermont farmers. 

 Their character is too well known. My paper is my 

 expression of " God speed to them." 



