14 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



and thus to lighten, facilitate and render more profitable the 

 toils of those engaged in cultivating the soil. In saying that the 

 farmer should read and think upon his calling, we only affirm that 

 in common Avith every other man who pursues a regular vocation, 

 he should thoroughly understand his business in all its details 

 and relations, and should make the most of it and of himself. 



It is too late in the day for ignorance to conceal itself behind 

 a false issue on this subject, or to secure honor and success in a 

 pursuit so respectable and so difficult as that of farming. In 

 one of his admirable and instructive Annual Reports, Mr. Secre- 

 tary Flint quotes the saying of a celebrated painter, who, on 

 being asked what he mixed his colors with to render them so 

 perfect, replied, " I mix them with brains.''^ That is the 

 material with which every man should " mix his colors," and 

 the farmer no less than any other man. He should rear and 

 use his animals, fertilize and cultivate his fields, select and dis- 

 jDOse of his crops " with brains ; " and for these purposes he 

 should use both his own brains and those of other men to as 

 great an extent as possible. Let him, therefore, co-operate- in 

 the establishment of farmers' libraries and reading clubs. Let 

 him take and read the best agricultural journals ; let him use 

 wisdom in selecting and industry in studying the best works on 

 agricultural chemistry, horse, cattle and sheep raising ; on bees, 

 and on grapes and other fruits ; also the various writings of 

 practical farmers, gardeners and nurserymen. If he can, let 

 him procure and carefully read the Annual Reports of the Mas- 

 sachusetts State Board of Agriculture, and especially tlie discus- 

 sions of that Board. Let him pursue such a coui'se of reading, 

 meanwhile not neglecting his Bible. In other words, let him be 

 a thorough, intelligent New England farmer, and a good, intel- 

 ligent New England Christian, and he may enjoy as much of 

 Eden here in Essex County, Massachusetts, as any of Adam's 

 race have enjoyed since the gates of Paradise were closed. 



