4 INTRODUCTION. 



labor, as it was thirty years ago. Now, the improvements 

 which have been made on English farms may be made on 

 American farms, by the use of the same means. 



12. Those means are the application of science to the 

 treatment of soils, manures, modes of tillage, and man 

 agement of animals ; and improvements in the various 

 tools and machines used in the work of farming. And 

 no person can wisely make this application, and avail 

 himself fully of these improvements, who is not well 

 educated. 



13. Besides, we have evidence nearer home of the 

 value of knowledge to a farmer. The farms in New 

 England, which have been conducted with intelligence, 

 knowledge, forethought and economy, have, in many 

 instances, made, out of poor men, men well to do in 

 the world, and rich enough to command all the comforts 

 and enjoyments of life. Many of the towns in Massa 

 chusetts which have been always wholly devoted to agri 

 culture, are among the most thriving towns in the State. 



14. But, the question will be asked, suppose a farmer 

 to be well educated ; will he have time to keep up his 

 knowledge ? 



If a farmer have the good fortune to obtain a good 

 education in his early years, he will have more time and 

 stronger inducements .to keep up and add to his knowl 

 edge, than almost any one else. One peculiar advanln^- 

 in the occupation of a farmer is that, while it gives full 

 exercise to the powers of the body, it leaves time, at 

 Irnst in this country, for a very full exercise of the 

 power s of the mind. Every operation on the farm calls 

 into use the i;iriiicr s knowledge and intelligence ; and 

 the long evenings of one half of the year give him 

 ample time for reading and thought. Watching the 



