31 



the toils of the farmer are light. Physical labor he endures, it is 

 true, and often times severe labor, but his mind is easy. He enjoys 

 sound rest, and high health. He has much leisure j in many cases 

 more than is for his good. He has abundant time to discuss politics, 

 law, religion everything, in fact, but what relates to his own profes- 

 sion, on which subject, I lament to say, his mind seems less exercised 

 than on almost any other. Now, let the same early education be 

 given to the young farmer of an equally acute intellect that is given 

 to him who chooses professional, mechanical, or mercantile pursuits 

 education each in his own line. Let them start fair. Apply the same 

 thought, investigation, energy, and toil, each in his particular sphere, 

 and beyond all question agriculture will, in the aggregate, have the 

 advantage and for this reason, if no other: there are few contingen- 

 cies connected with agriculture. Its basis is the solid earth, stamped 

 with the Divine promise, that while it remains, seed-time and harvest 

 shall continue; while commerce, and trade; mechanics, and arts are 

 liable to extraordinary and continual accident. Look at the devasta- 

 tions by flood, and fire of ship, and cargo, upon ocean, lake, 

 and sea, and river ; conflagrations in your towns and cities ; and the 

 thousand other casualties which almost daily occur all which are a 

 dead sink upon labor and capital not agricultural, and the risks of 

 the husbandman are scarce one to ten, in the comparison. Rely upon 

 it, Farmers, you are on the safe side. 



But, I hear some one remark, " Why, if agriculture, through the 

 improved education proposed, holds out such alluring advantages, all 

 our young men will rush into it, and competition will destroy it." 

 Not the slightest danger. Our young men are already running into 

 the other trades and professions, where competition is ruinous ; and 

 all we ask, is the opportunity to get a share of them back again. 

 Besides, there is no fear that the other avenues of industry will not 



