54 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



well-fattened New England beef and other things in proportion, 

 and much the same every year, only a little more so. 



These agricultural fairs are not to be undervalued. They 

 are a sort of excham^e, or rather trade sale, that give stimulus 

 to generous feeling, and awaiven the grateful emotions of our 

 hearts ; and moreover, when properly conducted, tend greatly 

 to encourage and advance that noble employment, which our 

 Maker has ordained, not only to sustain our physical frame and 

 invigorate its energies, but elevate and expand the intellect, 

 and improve and adorn the heart. Will you now indulge me 

 for a moment, ere I close, to tell you, very familiarly and some- 

 wiiat colloquially, what, if I were a farmer I would do ; and I 

 shall best come at this, by telling you what I would not do. 



Well, then, in the first place, I would not labor too hard, but 

 take it so fair and easy, and especially toward the last of the 

 week, that I could attend church on the Sabbath and keep 

 awake during the services. 



Second, I would not fall into a fit of anger at every little ill 

 wind that blows, and scold at my hired men — and swear at 

 my team — whether oxen or horses, nor would I whip them 

 unmercifully when I deserved it more than they do. 



Third, I would not have every thing in just the place where 

 I never could find it. 



Fourth, I would not have my carts and wagons stand out of 

 doors to take the peltings of winter's storms or the withering 

 power of a summer's sun. 



Fifth, I would not cultivate more land than I could cultivate 

 well, and thus, with less labor, I would secure a greater amount 

 of produce. This having a great farm and never properly 

 cultivating any of it, is a sorry business for a farmer. 



Sixth, I would not leave my farm in the hands of others, 

 provided I had a decent one, and were able to cultivate it 

 myself, to go forth to trade in horses or mules, or even to 

 peddle in churns and clothes-wringers. 



Seventh, I would not have my pig-sty in front of my house, 

 nor anywhere in proximity thereto, and wherever located, I 

 would not have it so filthy that my porker, in the greatness of 

 his self-respect, would scorn to lie in it. 



Eighth, I would not make a cow-pen of my front yard ; nor 

 would I place my wood-pile where a neighbor, in a decently 



