MICHIGAN" STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 65 



ADDRESS OP HON. FLAVIUS J. LITTLEJOHN, 



BEFORE THE MICHIGAN STATE POMOLOGICAL AND THE KENT COUNTY 



AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. AT THE FAIR GROUNDS, GRAND 



RAPIDS, SEPTEMBER 28th, 1S70. 



Ladies and Gentlemen : — If I shall presume to deviate 

 somewhat from the beaten track of addresses at annual fairs, 

 I trust that you will pardon the digression. 



The spontaneous productions of the earth in their primal 

 condition are seldom adapted to meet the varied wants of 

 man. In the system of providential economy, both mental 

 and physical labor are essential prerequisites for the attain- 

 ment of many things alike desirable and. necessary for human 

 use. The seasons may wheel their accustomed rounds, the 

 sun may pour forth his effulgent beams — fertilizing rains may 

 descend upon the lap of the earth, genial breezes may con- 

 tinue to fan the luxuriant verdure mantling the hills and 

 carpeting the valleys, and yet man, without a constant draft 

 upon his own resources, would perish from alternate heat and 

 •cold, or starve in the vestibule of nature's granary. The stern 

 decree, "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread," still 

 rests in pristine vigor upon the whole brotherhood of 

 humanity. The fearful lesson has been written a thousand 

 times upon the page of human suffering, — meagre famine, 

 induced by want of proper forecast, by indolence, or by crime, 

 has often exacted the most appalling tribute of life. 



Even mental and physical activity, strenuous and continued, 

 cannot alone purchase immunity from want. The noblest 

 conceptions of genius have been penciled on canvas and 

 chiseled on marble, whilst the pangs of hunger were consum- 

 ing the artist. At the very time when myriads of husbandmen 

 were compelled to labor in rearing useless pyramids, men died 



