216 INDIANA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS 



the excellent motto, "In union there is strength" — and 

 your object, "to improve the soil and the mind." Well, 

 in the language of the father of American freedom, "I 

 know of no pursuit in which more real and important 

 service can be rendered our country, than improvement 

 in agricultural pursuits." 



But before I proceed, allow me to explain why I, a 

 stranger to most of you, have set myself up as a teacher 

 among you. To many of you I am perhaps known by 

 name, as one who is ardently devoted to that cause which 

 shall tend to improve the condition, and elevate the stand- 

 ing of the cultivators of American soil. And although 

 at all times willing to lend all my energies to that object, 

 I reluctantly accepted the flattering invitation to address 

 your Society, because I know my own ability. However 

 capable of instructing or amusing my fellow-laborers 

 with my pen, I am unused to making a speech — I there- 

 fore claim your kindest indulgence; my promise is not 

 to make my present effort interesting, but only that "I 

 will try." 



You have met here, I hope, not for the sole purpose of 

 listening to what the humble individual before you has 

 to say, but for mutual instruction and improvement. 

 Let us enquire then, how the greatest good can be done 

 to the greatest number? If there is strength in your 

 union, how shall that strength be used? Surely not for 

 our individual aggrandizement. No! For I am morally 

 certain, from my own knowledge of some of the leading 

 individuals of your Society, that the great desire of their 

 hearts is upon a scale as noble, and grand, and broad as 

 the great plain which stretches away before us farther 

 than the eye can reach. 



Cast your eyes with me for a moment over this great 

 natural field, and fancy if you can, what untold riches 

 lie hid beneath its surface. 



Is it not an object worthy the highest ambition of man, 

 to lend his energies towards the promoting of a cause, 

 the object of which is, to turn all this unproductive native 



