32 FARM ECHOES. 



profane history, we will carry with us the echo of the 

 Almighty's voice : 



"THE CATTLE UPON A THOUSAND HILLS AEE MINE." 



The Ancients engaged extensively in farming, and 

 deemed it the loftiest occupation in which they could be 

 employed. Cincinnatus, Cato, and others, might be cited 

 as representative men of their times, who left their plows 

 and hastened to the rescue of their country. Though 

 they did not beat their " swords into plowshares," they 

 gladly returned from the fields they had reddened with 

 the blood of their enemies, to those they made "white 

 unto the harvest." Farmers by preference, they were 

 the ablest of statesmen and warriors when thus needed. 



Down through the intervening ages there have been 

 hosts of just such brave and true men, though not so 

 conspicuous, who have been trained in farming districts 

 and in farm pursuits, for just such heroic deeds. 



Connecticut boasts of her Putnam, who left his plow 

 for a like noble purpose. Washington's chief delight was 

 in working his farm ; and he was as great and as honored 

 there, as when leading the army or presiding over the 

 affairs of this nation, which, in common with all other 

 nations, to-day looks to its rural districts for defence 

 from any present or impending foe. 



The following is quoted from "Letters of Agricola," 

 published at Halifax, N. S., in 1822, by John Young, 

 Esquire, Secretary of the Provincial Agricultural Society 

 of Nova Scotia, and Honorary Member of the Massachu- 

 setts and Montreal Agricultural Societies, who did much 

 through his writings, and by his practical and successful 



