438 Abstract Report of Agricultural Discussion.". 



them Leyoud him to control or even guide. All that he can do is to 

 prepare, and watch, and help. Nature outside pursues her course — ■ 

 rain and sunshine, heat and cold come and go — regardless of his 

 pui'pose. The seeds of weeds, of parasites, of disease, of mischiefs of 

 all sorts, are everywhere ; and alwaj-s ready for a fitting seed-bed, 

 where they will grow to his great injury or even ruin. His seeds, 

 and the j^lauts and animals he breeds from them, are not only tlie 

 prey of all these mischiefs— not only subject to all the influences of 

 our ever-changing climate, but they themselves are living creatm-cs 

 independent of him, possessing as species and even as individuals, 

 characters and tendencies which ai"e realised and carried out, one mp^y 

 say, in spite of him. All indeed that seems to remain his own is his 

 power of choice — the power of selecting the objects he shall cultivate 

 — the power of choosing the times and seasons of the various opera- 

 tions by which, after long experience of theLr natural history, he finds 

 that he can promote their growth. Tliis perhaps is rather understat- 

 ing his ability, but the distinguishing featui-es of his occupation 

 certainly are those which I have named. It has to do with living 

 things, having tendencies, and characters, and wills, as you may 

 almost say, of their own ; fed, too, not only artificially, but by Nature, 

 responding sensitively to natural as wcdl as artificial influences, and 

 thus susceptible, not only of injury, but of nourisluncnt, recovery, and 

 cure, through circumstances and forces which the farmer cannot guide, 

 for which indeed he does little more than make ready, watch and 

 "wait. 



To be a good and successful agriculturist, therefore, needs not 

 only familiarity with the ordinary routine of farm practice, and both 

 industry and promptitude in its direction; it needs especially (1), the 

 quality of patience by which her full share of the farm work is given 

 to Nature to accomplish ; and it needs especially (2) the exercise of 

 quick-sighted observation, by Avhich the earliest natural indications 

 of what is going on, the earliest intimations of the natui'al tendency 

 and movement, whether to the good or bad, are detected in the living 

 creatures witli which the farmer has to deal. Intelligence, activity, and 

 promptitude in carrying out the routine of operations are necessary 

 in every other business as vrell as that of farming ; but none other, 

 imless it too have equally to do with life, so needs the exercise of 

 quick-sighted, careful, habitual observation for its successful prosecu- 

 tion ; and in none other is there so much need of patience — I do 

 not mean contentment, but a willingness to wait for the full eftect 

 of the costless influences of Natui'e. A quick and watchful eye, 

 and prompt activity at the proper time, have to be united with the 

 faculty of Viaiting till the proper time, in order to good agri- 

 cidture. 



Many an example, both mere incidents and whole lives, could be 

 quoted in illustration of the need of both these qualities. Many of us 

 have, I daresay, seen men of strong will (of com-se not bred to the 

 business, or experience would have taught them better) tearing reso- 

 lutely on in pursuit of the object which they had set themselves, 

 regardless of weather, prejudices, habits ; enforcing the material 



