70 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



they said these things must not be. They saw that they were getting- 

 into a position to allow history to repeat itself, and they refused to go 

 further along a backward track. What grand declarations of princi- 

 ples they gave us which stand like sacred monuments of marble through 

 the changing scenes of a century. 



They were gotten by study and reason and comparison. I like^ 

 this method best, because, to think, is akin to inspiration. To stop, to 

 think, to compare our conditions with that of others, and be convinced 

 that we must help ourselves and lay the foundation for our own gran- 

 deur in the coming ages, this means progress. 



Your community is very much similar to one in which I was raised 

 and in which I have since lived for years, and I am familiar with your 

 advantages and disadvantages. 



I am in sympathy with every movement that tends to elevate and 

 give tone and character and influence to society in our little country 

 towns, for I well know that they are wanting in many things that 

 will endear our surroundings to us, awaken our ambitions and satisfy 

 the growing demand that progressiveness in the arts and sciences is. 

 making upon us. 



I come now to consider the factors that enter into the make-up^ 

 of our country villages and will try to suggest how they can be led 

 into mutual helpfulness one to the other by paying more attention^ 

 through careful thought, to plans and methods in order to reach greater 

 results. 



FACTOR, THE FIRST. 



One factor, which enters largely into the make-up of the society 

 of our villages all over this vast country of ours, is the retired 

 farmer. Their number in different villages over the country is in 

 ratio to the fertility of the soil and market advantages. They are- 

 men who need rest from care and business ; men who have fought 

 hard battles of the formation period, endured privation, disdained lux- 

 ury, cut off from educational advantages, worthy, honest, true men who 

 have built themselves comfortable cottages in the village and turned 

 over the farm to John, or Mary, or to the stranger to till. 



Our own state and other states are full of objects which teach to 

 the eye of the observer the times as they are, and the possible de- 

 mands that shall be made upon us in the future. To see the progress 

 of the outer world is to have new ideas and new thoughts and a better 

 understanding of the present motives and ambitions that will urge our 

 children to seek position and wealth and influence. 



The fathers and mothers who are acquainted with the outside 

 world, and who know whereof they speak, have greater influence with 



