C. T. RUSSELL'S ADDRESS. 409 



live stock are sufficient. The railway is entirely an improve- 

 ment of our day, and in our own State early pressed upon the 

 Legislature by a chief magistrate, from the county of Wor- 

 cester, still living, and whose name is as closely identified with 

 her agricultural progress, as his fame is with that of his native 

 Commonwealth. 



But we should take but a limited view of the effect of rail- 

 ways upon agriculture, were we to limit it to the carriage of its 

 products. They have developed all the resources of the State, 

 and not only around her waterfalls, but in large circuits about 

 her metropolis, have raised up towns and villages, ready to re- 

 ceive the surplus crop of the farm, almost on the fields of its 

 growth. I have no doubt that the railroads of Massachusetts 

 have added almost annually to her wealth, an amount equal to 

 their entire cost. So that were the stock all worthless to-mor- 

 row, the State would be still a large gainer in the aggregate. 



I anticipate much valuable information from the forthcoming 

 national census, and State valuation. Yet, it will be but par- 

 tial, and furnishing but part of the data wanted to ascertain the 

 actual state of our agriculture, and its wants. In some re- 

 spects, our farming interest is peculiar. The farmers own 

 their soil, and depend upon themselves alone for improvements. 

 Capital is much higher than in Europe. The land is abundant 

 and fresh, and the railways are opening it all to use. A 

 given outlay, here, therefore, costs more in the first instance, 

 and when made, gives the land less value, than in Europe. 



I rely less on colleges, or schools with model farms, except 

 as means of scientific research, or elaborate experiment by the 

 few. The general farming education must be acquired, as it 

 has been, at the tail of the plough, the handle of the sickle, or 

 in the economy of the household. The more you can educate 

 the farmer, the better. Every mode, holding out a reasonable 

 prospect of success, should be encouraged. But after all, prac- 

 tical farming is to be learned on the farm ; and profitable agri- 

 culture will be conducted by those so taught. So far as agri- 

 cultural colleges create higher standards of education, they 

 may be of utility, and worthy of all support. But the great 

 mass of farmers will be educated in the common schools, and 

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