1891.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 4. 103 



to an appreciation of the possibilities of farm life. Show a 

 boy that here is room for the display of all his talents, here 

 is opportunity for him to exercise all his powers, here are 

 sure returns, and here he can give full scope to all his fancies ; 

 and, while with one hand he toils to secure substantial results, 

 with the other he may be reaching after and grasping the 

 mysteries of God ; and agriculture will call to its assistance 

 the energies of youth, and, having these, the door will open 

 wide leading to success, and blessings will come to New 

 England. 



Another condition to which I must call attention is to be 

 found in a better appreciation of the duties and responsi- 

 bilities of citizenship. With what party you act it is 

 nobody's business. Your duty is to affiliate with that one 

 which most fully represents your convictions. Having 

 placed yourself in line, it is then your duty to act, and 

 act for your own best interests. No class should be so 

 intensely political as the farmers. Upon your shoulders 

 falls a measure of responsibility if burdens are heavy, if 

 unjust legislation has prevailed, if wickedness is to be found 

 in high places. 



In the ways indicated, I believe that agriculture can be 

 made popular; that the sting of reproach, invited by so 

 many slip-shod practices in the past, may be removed ; that, 

 by and through the application of business principles, such 

 as prevail with successful firms, substantial results may be 

 gained; and that, by and through a study of natural 

 things in early childhood, it is possible to plant deep and 

 firm a love for the farm, which, in after years, will be mani- 

 fest in a better system and increased wealth. 



I do not stand here to paint a rosy picture for the farm, — 

 I do not and would not mislead, — but because I believe 

 there is a future for New England ; that these hills and 

 valleys may again be covered with flocks ; that these fields 

 may again sing under the weight of increasing harvests ; that 

 the herds may be multiplied and made sources of wealth ; 

 because, when we stop and measure compensations, we shall 

 find that here are the opportunities, here the possibilities, 

 and here we may find profit in agriculture. 



This is not a fancy of the imagination, but may be made 



