2 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



coQibined and put into operation, may, in the long run, bid 

 defiance to those circumstances over which his neighbor, witii- 

 out these qualities, has no control. And he may feel assured 

 that he is on the highway to social position, with a compe- 

 tence for the present and future, if not with an overflowing 

 abundance. 



Are any of these elements, or the combination of the whole, 

 beyond the reach of any person ? Let no one answer this 

 question for himself in the negative, until he has made a fair 

 attempt to possess them, and failed, after repeated effort. 



Labor, however energetically and perseveringly pursued, 

 improperly directed, without knowledge, is like beating the 

 air ; and results only in an expenditure of strength without 

 profit, and frequently in pecuniary loss. But, directed by 

 knowledge, it yields golden harvests. 



Knowledge, literally, is the accumulation of truth proved 

 and tested by one's own experience or observation ; but for the 

 uses of life, and as the foundation of our action, it may be 

 considered the conviction of the truth of any information which 

 has been obtained by our own experience, or the communicated 

 experience and observations of others. It is obtained by steady 

 observation and practice, and to no class is this element of suc- 

 cess more necessary than to the farmer ; and owing to its want 

 is attributable, in a great measure, the unsuccessful condition 

 of agriculture in this State, as compared with other branches 

 of industry. I do not here mean the want of that education 

 which an excellent system of Common Schools affords, but 1 

 mean the want of that knowledge which is acquired only by 

 deep thought, careful and scientific research, a knowledge 

 wiiich nearly all branches of business is compelled to have, in 

 order to keep pace with the progress pf the day ; that mental 

 training and working of the mind which evolves theories, and 

 puts them to the test of practical operation. 



It is a mistaken idea that, for successful field labor, merely 

 physical training is required. Our farmers require a much 

 higher mental culture than has heretofore been thought neces- 

 sary. They know altogether too little of agriculture, as a 

 science, and agricultural economy. They are, in their business, 

 but little in advance of larger numbers of public men and legis- 

 lators, who, neglecting to read the present and to scan the future 



