INTRODUCTION. 13 



separately, but they surpass the combined numbers 

 of those classes by more than half a million. It also 

 appears that, by the ordinary ratio of increase, the 

 number of farmers in the whole country, at the period 

 of the next census, will probably exceed five millions, 

 counting the heads of families merely, and not their 

 dependents. 



It is quite apparent, therefore, that this class of 

 our citizens, unconspicuous as they have been in the 

 retirement of their rural homes, have yet grown to 

 dimensions, and risen to an importance, well calcu- 

 lated to arrest attention. But while their numbers 

 are rapidly advancing, their achievements do not flag. 

 The annual fruits of their industry, increasing with 

 their population, have reached a prominence and 

 magnitude everywhere seen and felt, and everywhere 

 acknowledged to be without a parallel. American 

 husbandry has made its mark in the world, not only 

 by the intrinsic value, but equally by the quantities of 

 its products. The unexampled amounts of grain and 

 provision which it has annually poured into the chan- 

 nels of commerce, have justly challenged the attention 

 and the amazement of mankind. 



In whatever light we view this subject, we cannot 

 fail to be impressed with the valuable services and the 

 growing influence of our yeomanry. It is not a mere 

 metaphor, nor even an exaggeration, to- say that the 

 destiny of the nation is in their hands. The national 

 census is the* history of their achievements and the 

 monument of their greatness. Their position and in- 

 fluence in the community is a simple matter of fact 



