12 INDIAN CORN. 



such vast proportions as the world has never before 

 witnessed. 



Here, then, are two distinct objects brought to the 

 notice of the reader, viz. : 



The great staple crop of the country, and 



The class of men engaged in producing it. 



To the former of these topics the present volume 

 is devoted. To the latter, let us accord the passing 

 tribute of a few lines. 



There are various reflections that give weight and 

 consideration to the large and respectable body of men 

 devoted to agricultural pursuits. The very nature of 

 their occupation renders it of vital importance to the 

 welfare of the community. The products of agricul- 

 ture embrace articles of such indispensable necessity, 

 that the continued existence of our population is lit- 

 erally suspended upon the tillage of the earth. The 

 farmer feeds the community, and every member of it 

 is thus daily, and almost hourly, reminded of his value 

 and importance in the social scale. 



But without dwelling on general considerations, 

 it is sufficient to refer to a few prominent facts. It 

 will be seen, from the census returns above referred 

 .to, that in 1860, the whole number of persons in the 

 United States engaged in manufactures and kindred 

 branches was 2,017,653; and of those engaged in 

 commerce and connected pursuits, 757,773 ; while the 

 number engaged in agricultural operations, as stated 

 above, was 3,381,583. 



Thus it appears that the farmers not only out- 

 number the merchants and the manufacturers, taken 



