AIDS TO FARMING. IT 



because tliey save human toil and afford opportunity for more 

 intellectual attainments. Among the great variety, of machines 

 in use, those of your towns-people sta.nd deservedly high, and 

 ought to be found in the fields of every progressive farmer. . 



If time permitted, I should be glad to say something of the 

 value of several smaller implements — seed-sowers, wheel-hoes, 

 ploughs, harrows, and something of the enormous cost of the 

 fences in our State. In the State of New York their cost has 

 been estimated at $100,000,000, and their annual cost $10,000- 



000 ! I should like to speak of the value of forests, not only 

 in reference to building materials and fences, but of their influ- 

 ence upon the climate, crops and general health of the people. 



1 could dwell at considerable length upon the imperfect manner 

 of cultivating the soil which prevails ; of occupying too much 

 land ; of working that which lies too far from the buildings ; 

 and, in some cases, in a want of sympathy in the business of the 

 farm by the women and children of the family. 



In the midst of these imperfections, however, great changes 

 for the better have taken place. New ideas are put in practice 

 in breeding and rearing stock ; better and more abundant fruits 

 and vegetables have been introduced, and are enjoyed more as 

 sustaining food than as luxuries. 



In-doors, as well as out, the genius of our people has intro- 

 duced into the kitchen, dairy, sewing and wash-rooms, so many 

 labor-saving- helps that women have derived as many benefits 

 from them in their domestic duties as men have in their out- 

 door labors. The sewing, washing and wringing machines, 

 crimping-irons, mangle for ironing, button-hole cutters, apple- 

 parers, cheese-pressers, churns, butter-workers, &c., are civili- 

 zers, because they avert human toil and leave the mind free to 

 engage in other pursuits. 



The sewing-machine came to the never-ceasing work of 

 women as a boon from Heaven. It has taken an inexpressible 

 burden from thousands of mothers, whose harassing duties 

 excluded them from society, denied them access to books and 

 opportunities for the cultivation of those graces which adorn 

 them the most. In the late war our vast armies could scarcely 

 have been clothed without its aid. 



The contrasts which I have attempted show great changes in 

 farm life, in the house as well as in the field. Another change 



3* 



