XLYII. 



UNDEVELOPED SOURCES OF POWER. 



THE more I consider the present state of our Agri- 

 culture, the more emphatic is my discontent with 

 the farmer's present sources and command of power. 

 The subjugation and tillage of a farm, liko the run- 

 ning of a factory or furnace, involves a continual use 

 of Power; but the manufacturer obtains his from 

 sources which supply it cheaply and in great abun- 

 dance, while the farmer has been content with an 

 inferior article, in limited supply, at a far heavier 

 cost. Yet the stream which turns the factory's 

 wheels and sets all its machinery in motion traverses 

 or skirts many farms as well, and, if properly har- 

 nessed, is just as ready to speed the plow as to impel 

 the shuttles of a woolen-mill, or revolve the cylin- 

 ders of a calico-printery. Nature is impartially kind 

 to all her children ; but some of them know how to 

 profit by her good-will far more than others. No 

 doubt, we all have much yet to learn, and our grand- 

 children will marvel at the proofs of stupidity 

 evinced in our highest achievements ; but I am not 

 mistaken in asserting that, as yet, the farmers' con- 



(a8o) 



