GEOGRAPHY OF PLANTS. 523 



Union, wou'd prove of great value to thoge "ubo Lave occnpicd llicingelves in 

 attempts to thoroughly elucidate the productions, climate, and physical geography 

 of our country. 



Every farmer, even the uneducated, may contribute to the progress of his 

 art, by observing the dates of the chief periods in the vegetation of plants. 

 Let him make notes of the time of seeding and of germination, the periods of 

 the revival in spring, the date of blooming of various grain-producing plants 

 their maturity, &c., regarding especially in each case the peculiar variety. Let 

 him observe the dates of leating, blooming and ripening of the various kinds 

 of peaches, pears, apples, grapes, &c., noting, particularly, the especial variety, 

 for it is upon this that the value of such notes will depend. If the observer 

 combine with these notes of the changes in vegetation well-ascertained facts 

 of mean temperatui'e and humidity derived from daily observations of the air, 

 &c., his contributions will become of much higher value. It is a knowledge, 

 of minute facts, some of which might be regarded by many as too insignificant 

 for notice, that is occasionally found to afford the safest guide in mau}^ questions 

 of difficulty in agriculture as in every other art. Every farmer may also aid 

 the cause by assisting the agent of the Commissioner of Agriculture in each 

 county of every State, in his inquiries into the condition of the crops, by 

 collecting statistics, &c., &c., and by encouraging the work he has begun, and 

 strengthening his zealous labors in our behalf. 



Every cultivated mind of healthy activity has felt the need of an object 

 upon which it can concentrate its powers. In this connexion, the language of 

 the distinguished Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution appears especially 

 instructive, and deserving the attention of the educated sons of farmers : 



" It is scarcely possible to estimate too highly, in reference to the happiness of the indi- 

 vidual, as well as to the promotion of knowledge, the choice in early life of some object to 

 which the thoughts can be habitually turned during moments of leisure, and to which ob- 

 servations may be directed during periods of recreation, relative to which facts may be 

 gleaned from casual reiiding and during jouruejs of business or pleasure. It is well that 

 every one should have some favorite subject of which he has a more minute knowledge than 

 any of his neighbors. It is well that ho should know some one thing profoundly, in order 

 that he may estimate by it his deficiencies in others." — lieport of Dr. Joseph Henry, Secre- 

 tary of Smithsonian Institution, 1857, p. 25. 



It should not be matter for surprise that more farmers become insane in 

 proportion to their number than the members of any other profession, when we 

 consider the extent to which their muscles are tasked at the expense of the 

 brain. " Their life is a dull routine ; there is a sameness and tameness about 

 it, a paucity of subjects for contemplation most dangerous to mental integrity."* 

 The proper remedy against the sad effects of a plodding routine existence is 

 increased mental activity, a more harmonious exercise of muscle and of mind. 

 It is a sad truth that the majority of young farmers grow up like ill weeds, un- 

 trained, uncultivated, untaught in the natural and physical sciences, for studying 

 which they have so ample opportunities. Declining too often on the vulgar 

 level of debasing pleasures, they refuse the sweets of literature and the delights 

 of knov/ledge imtil they are left without an aspiration beyond the acquisition 

 of wealth or the mere continuance of animal existence. Never taught to re- 

 spect their profession, what marvel that they should not esteem it the most im- 

 portant as well as the most interesting and the most delightful that can occupy 

 the attention of a mind rightly constituted and properly educated ; that the 

 study of its principles and their judicious application to practice afford scope 

 for every faculty to the fullest extent; that it is in truth a profession worthy 

 the mental powers of any man be he ever so intellectual. In England the study 



* See an excellent article on the " Health of Fanners' Families " in Report of the Agricul- 

 tural Department, 1862, an article that should be read again and again in every farmers' 

 fumily in the laud. 



