18 INTRODUCTION. 



know that without a thorough acquaintance with 

 their business, they are liable to make poor crops 

 and "to come out at the little end of the horn," 

 as the saying is. 



But leaving so plain a point as this, I would 

 say a few w r ords to my young friends in the 

 country on the dignity and independence of 

 their employment. 



The life of a farmer is indeed employed about 

 the earth. But it is no mean concern. Cincin- 

 natus was a farmer. Washington was a farmer. 

 And in older times Abraham cultivated flocks 

 and herds and David, who in after years sat 

 upon the throne of Israel, was himself a shep- 

 herd. No man in society is so independent as 

 the farmer. He lives more entirely within him- 

 self than any other class. He raises the neces- 

 saries, and not a few of the comforts and luxuries 

 of life. Nor is any profession more dignified, 



